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

¹⁸ Hear, therefore, the parable of the sower. ¹⁹ When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and takes away the seed sown in his heart. This is he that received seed by the way. ²⁰ He that received seed on the rocky places is he that hears the word and immediately receives it with joy ²¹ but has no root in himself, but is only a temporary [disciple]; and when affliction or persecution arises on account of the word, he is immediately offended. ²² And he that received seed among thorns is he that hears the word, and the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²³ But he that received the seed in the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it, who also bears fruit, and produces some one hundred, and some sixty, and some thirty-fold.

¹³ And he said to them, Do you not know this parable? How then will you know all parables? ¹⁴ The sower sows the word. ¹⁵ And these are those where the word is sown by the way; and when they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word which was sown upon them. ¹⁶ And these in like manner are those sown on the rocky places; when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy, ¹⁷ and have no root in themselves, but are temporary [disciples]. Then, when affliction or persecution occurs on account of the word, they are immediately offended. ¹⁸ And those sown among thorns are different. They are those who hear the word, ¹⁹ and the cares of life, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires of other things coming in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²⁰ And these are those sown in good ground, who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit, one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred.

¹¹ But the parable signifies this; the seed is the word of God; ¹² those by the way are those who hear, then comes the devil and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved; ¹³ those on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, and they have no root; they believe for a time, and in a time of trial fall away; ¹⁴ and that which fell among thorns signifies those who hear, and going away are choked by cares and riches and the pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. ¹⁵ But that on the good ground signifies those who, with a noble and good heart, hearing the word retain it, and bear fruit persistently.