The Purpose of the Parables

(Mt 13:10–17; Mk 4:10–12)

9 Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “To you it has been given to know the secretsb of the kingdom of God; but to others I speakc in parables, so that

‘looking they may not perceive,

and listening they may not understand.’

The Parable of the Sower Explained

(Mt 13:18–23; Mk 4:13–20)

11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. 14 As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.