The Parable of the Sower

8:4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus14 from one town after another,15 he spoke to them16 in a parable: 8:5 “A sower went out to sow17 his seed.18 And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birds19 devoured it. 8:6 Other seed fell on rock,20 and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture. 8:7 Other seed fell among the thorns,21 and they grew up with it and choked22 it. 8:8 But23 other seed fell on good soil and grew,24 and it produced a hundred times as much grain.”25 As he said this,26 he called out, “The one who has ears to hear had better listen!”27

8:9 Then28 his disciples asked him what this parable meant.29 8:10 He30 said, “You have been given31 the opportunity to know32 the secrets33 of the kingdom of God,34 but for others they are in parables, so that although they see they may not see, and although they hear they may not understand.35

8:11 “Now the parable means36 this: The seed is the word of God. 8:12 Those along the path are the ones who have heard; then the devil37 comes and takes away the word38 from their hearts, so that they may not believe39 and be saved. 8:13 Those40 on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while,41 but42 in a time of testing43 fall away.44 8:14 As for the seed that45 fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but46 as they go on their way they are choked47 by the worries and riches and pleasures of life,48 and their fruit does not mature.49 8:15 But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing50 the word, cling to it51 with an honest and good52 heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.53