In the 15th verse, we are shown how the “seeds by the roadside” represent peoples who outright reject external subjugation – from the moment they hear about it, they are opposed and Roman civilization can take no root in them. Satan here represents the rebellion in general giving people a reason (or excuse) to fight.
Then we are given the meaning of the somewhat more complex metaphor of “seeds on rocky ground” as representative of peoples who initially welcome Roman benefits, while being unwilling to provide taxes to pay for them. The explanation includes a suggestion that Roman affiliation itself might be a cause for conflict that causes some to shrink away from civilization. This was certainly true in the case of the victims of the Sicarii – the Zealot assassination squad that would wipe out suspected Roman collaborators. Fear of Zealot violence kept many aligned with the rebellion.
The use of the words affliction and persecution (θλιψεως η διωγμου)here are notable, as we have already encountered those afflicted with rebellion and the violent sectarian violence in the face of Roman sieges guaranteed persecution for all Judeans. A literal translation of θλιψεως is “pressure”, although as a metaphor means tribulation, oppression, and distress – any of which is a good descriptor of the people suffering outside of Roman governance. It seems likely that there is a connection between the use of the word “persecution” here and the persecution stories in Acts and the Epistles, and subsequently in Early Church myth, as if its mention here required the creation of the persecution mythos.
Here we take a brief side quest to point out a theme persistent in the Gospels: feast and famine. The modus operandi of the Roman legions during the march through Judea was to literally starve the rebel cities until they conceded. Romans had been surprised to their own deep embarrassment by Judean guerilla tactics, so they were sure to set the conflict on their own terms when they set forth. Jewish dietary restrictions were a well known aspect of Jewish culture at the time, so the fact that the people under siege were forced to eat pigs, pets, and other people was a source of howling amusement to the Romans. The fact that the Romans were able to so easily dismantle a key identifying element of their culture was simply outward proof that the Roman culture was superior.
So we have here a story about agricultural work and poor harvests, and in both cases, these are being blamed on the Jews. The image of birds eating seed, or seedlings wilting, can bring grief to those starved of resources. The promise of a great reward with the acceptance of Roman legions and taxes is painted in silos of grain.