The Parable of the Sower Interpreted

11 Now the parable means this: the seed is the word of God, 12 and those beside the path are the ones who have heard. Then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and[fn] be saved. 13 And those on the rock are those who receive the word with joy when they hear it,[fn] and these do not have enough root, who believe for a time and in a time of testing fall away. 14 And the seed that fell into the thorn plants—these are the ones who hear and as they[fn] go along are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and they do not bear fruit to maturity. 15 But the seed on the good soil—these are the ones who, after[fn] hearing the word, hold fast to it[fn] with a noble and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.