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

¹⁸ "So listen to the parable of the sower: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches what was sown in his heart; this is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. ²¹ But he has no root in himself and does not endure; when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. ²² The seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the word, but worldly cares and the seductiveness of wealth choke the word, so it produces nothing. ²³ But as for the seed sown on good soil, this is the person who hears the word and understands. He bears fruit, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown."

¹³ He said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? Then how will you understand any parable? ¹⁴ The sower sows the word. ¹⁵ These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: Whenever they hear, immediately Satan comes and snatches the word that was sown in them. ¹⁶ These are the ones sown on rocky ground: As soon as they hear the word, they receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But they have no root in themselves and do not endure. Then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away. ¹⁸ Others are the ones sown among thorns: They are those who hear the word, ¹⁹ but worldly cares, the seductiveness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it produces nothing. ²⁰ But these are the ones sown on good soil: They hear the word and receive it and bear fruit, one thirty times as much, one sixty, and one a hundred."

¹¹ "Now the parable means this: The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those along the path are the ones who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in a time of testing fall away. ¹⁴ As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. ¹⁵ But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.