And he came to Nazareth, where {he had been brought up}, and according to {his custom} he entered into the synagogue on the day of the Sabbath and stood up to read.

Then he began to tell them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read."

All were astonished and awe-struck; and they asked one another, "What sort of language is this? For with authority and real power He gives orders to the foul spirits and they come out."

And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him;

The portion of them on the rock illustrates those who accept the message, bubbling over with joy when they first hear it, but it takes no real root. They believe for awhile, but in the time of testing they fall away.

the ground over-run with thorns denotes such as have embraced the doctrine, but are so immerst in the business, enjoyments, and pleasures of life, as not to improve it to any real advantage.

And he said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read [it]?"

Which one of these three do you think proved himself a real neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

For wherever you store your valuables, that is where your heart [i.e., your real concern] will be also.

Vain pretenders! You know how to read the aspect of earth and sky. How is it you cannot read this present time?

but he said to them, you pretend to piety before men, which, however they may admire, is an abomination to God, who knows your real temper.

Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this home, for he too is a real descendant of Abraham.

For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man--you withdraw what you did not deposit, and you reap what you did not sow!'

The master answered 'Out of your own mouth I judge you, you worthless servant. You knew that I am a stern man, that I take what I have not planted, and reap what I have not sown?