The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “You, then, listen to the parable of the sower:(A) 19 When anyone hears the word[a] 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.(B) 20 And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.(C) 21 Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When pressure or persecution(D) comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age(E) and the seduction[b] of wealth(F) choke 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 bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times what was sown.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 13:19 Gk logos = word, or message, or saying, or thing
  2. Matthew 13:22 Or pleasure, or deceitfulness

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom(A) and does not understand it, the evil one(B) comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.(C) 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth(D) choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”(E)

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18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

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The Parable of the Sower Explained

13 Then(A) He said to them: “Don’t you understand this parable?(B) How then will you understand any of the parables? 14 The sower sows(C) the word.(D) 15 These[a] are the ones along the path(E) where the word is sown: when they hear, immediately Satan(F) comes and takes away the word(G) sown in them.[b] 16 And these are[c] the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy.(H) 17 But they have no root in themselves; they are short-lived. When pressure(I) or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately stumble.(J) 18 Others are sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word, 19 but the worries(K) of this age,(L) the seduction[d](M) of wealth,(N) and the desires(O) for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.(P) 20 But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word,(Q) welcome it, and produce a crop:(R) 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 4:15 Some people
  2. Mark 4:15 Other mss read in their hearts
  3. Mark 4:16 Other mss read are like
  4. Mark 4:19 Or pleasure, or deceitfulness

13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word.(A) 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan(B) comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth(C) and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

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13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

14 The sower soweth the word.

15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19 And the cares of this 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 which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

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