The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 "So listen to the parable of the sower: 13:18–23 Mk 4:13–20; Lk 8:11–1519 When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path. 13:19 Mt 4:23; 5:37; 6:1320 And the one sown on rocky ground — this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. 13:20 Is 58:2; Ezk 33:31–32; Mk 6:20; Jn 5:3521 But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress or persecution 13:21 Mk 4:17; 10:30; Ac 8:1; 13:50; Rm 8:35; 2Co 12:10comes because of the word, immediately he falls away.22 Now the one sown among the thorns — this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age 13:22 Rm 12:2; 2Tm 4:10; 1Jn 2:15and the deceitfulness 13:22 Or pleasureof wealth 13:22 Mt 19:23; Mk 10:23; 1Tm 6:9–10; 2Tm 4:10choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.23 But the one sown on the good ground — this is one who hears and understands the word, who does produce fruit and yields: some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty times what was sown."