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

¹⁸ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. ¹⁹ When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, the Evil One cometh, and snatcheth away that which was sown in his heart; this man is what was sown by the wayside. ²⁰ And what was sown on the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with joy, ²¹ but, having no root within him, endureth only for a time; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth on account of the word, he immediately falleth away. ²² And what was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ²³ And what was sown on the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who also beareth fruit, and yieldeth, one a hundred fold, another sixty, another thirty fold.

¹³ And he saith to them, Know ye not this parable? and how will ye know all the parables? ¹⁴ The sower soweth the word. ¹⁵ And these are they by the wayside, those where the word is sown, and when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in them. ¹⁶ And these in like manner are they that are sown on the rocky places, those, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy, ¹⁷ and have no root in themselves, but endure only for a time; then, when affliction or persecution ariseth on account of the word, they immediately fall away. ¹⁸ And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they who hear the word, ¹⁹ but the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. ²⁰ And these are they who are sown on the good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it; and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold.

¹¹ Now the meaning of the parable is this. The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the Devil and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ Those on the rocky ground are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root; and for a while they believe, and in time of temptation fall away. ¹⁴ And those seeds which fell among the thorns, these are they who, when they have heard, go away and are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to perfection. ¹⁵ But the seeds on the good ground, these are they who in an honest and good heart, when they have heard the word, hold it fast, and bear fruit with constancy.