some other seed fell on stony soil where it had not much earth, and it shot up at once because it had no depth of earth,

some other seed fell on good soil and bore a crop that sprang up and grew, yielding at the rate of thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."

Similarly those who are sown 'on stony soil' are the people who on hearing the word accept it with enthusiasm;

As for those who were sown 'on good soil,' these are the people who listen to the word and take it in and bear fruit at the rate of thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."

What profit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his soul?

What could a man offer as an equivalent for his soul?

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "There is one thing you want," he said; "go and sell all you have; give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, take up the cross, and follow me."

and you must love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, with your whole mind, and with your whole strength.

Had not the Lord cut short those days, not a soul would be saved alive; but he has cut them short for the sake of the elect whom he has chosen.