And some fell among thorns
On a spot of ground which was full of the roots of thorns, and
briars, which was not cleared of them as it should be. We often
read F5 of (huwqtnv hdv) , "a field cleared of thorns"; but such
was not this piece of ground, it was overrun with them, not on
the surface of the earth, but within it: for it follows,
and the thorns sprung up:
naturally, being neither sown nor planted; either before the
seed, or, at least, as soon; and however grew faster, and higher,
and choked them;
so that they came to nothing; hence the advice, "sow not among
thorns", ( Jeremiah 4:3
) and a lost kindness, or what is bestowed in vain, is expressed
in this proverbial manner F6, (yrzyxa) (aydvw
Kytwbyj hlwqv) , "thy beneficence is taken away, and cast
among thorns": these point out such hearers who seemed to be
contrite, to have the low ground of their hearts broken up, their
consciences tender, and to have a true sense of sin, as well as
to be outwardly reformed; and yet inwardly were full of the
thorns of sinful lusts, particularly of the cares of the world,
the deceitfulness of riches, the lusts of other things, and the
pleasures of this life, which rendered the word useless and
unfruitful; see ( Matthew
13:22 ) all which are comparable to thorns; it is hardly
possible to be in the midst of, and meddle with these, without
being scratched by them; they pierce, afflict, and wound, even
where they have not their greatest power and influence; and where
they do prevail, and get the ascendant, as they are fruitless
themselves, they make others so too; they choke the word, and
make that, and all ordinances, and opportunities, useless, and
unserviceable. Thorns are a part of the earth's curse for the sin
of man; and such persons in whom thorny cares and lusts prevail,
as they are like unto the earth which beareth thorns, so, as
that, they are rejected, and nigh to cursing, whose end is to be
burned in everlasting flames of divine wrath and fury, ( Hebrews 6:8 ) .