Matthew 13:18-23 - The Parable Of The Sower Interpreted

¹⁸ Hear you, therefore, the parable of the sower. ¹⁹ When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, the wicked one comes and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he that received seed by the way side. ²⁰ He that received seed on the stony places is he that hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy. ²¹ Yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while; and when affliction or persecution arises on account of the word, he immediately takes offense. ²² He that received seed among the thorns, is he that hears the word; and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²³ But he that received seed on the good ground, is he that hears the word and understands it; who also produces fruit, and yields, one a hundred; another, sixty; another, thirty.

¹³ And he said to them: Do you not understand this parable? And how then will you understand all parables? ¹⁴ The sower sows the word. ¹⁵ These are they that received seed by the wayside, where the word is sown; and when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. ¹⁶ And these are they that, in like manner, received seed in stony places: who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy: ¹⁷ and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a time; afterward, when affliction or persecution arises on account of the word, they immediately take offense. ¹⁸ And these are they that received seed among thorns; who hear the word, ¹⁹ and the anxieties of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²⁰ And these are they that received seed on the good ground; who hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred.

¹¹ But the meaning of the parable is this: The seed is the word of God; ¹² those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil and takes the word from their heart, lest they should believe and be saved. ¹³ Those on the rock are they that, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who, for awhile, believe, and in time of temptation apostatize. ¹⁴ That which fell among thorns are those who hear, and so conduct them selves, that they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to perfection. ¹⁵ But that on the good ground are those who, in a good and honest heart, hear the word, and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.