The Parable of the Sower Interpreted

18 “You, therefore, listen to the parable of the sower: 19 When[fn] anyone hears the word about the kingdom and does not understand it,[fn] the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown on the side of the path. 20 And what was sown on the rocky ground—this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. 21 But he does not have a root in himself, but lasts only a little while,[fn] and when[fn] affliction or persecution happens because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 And what was sown into the thorn plants—this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of this world[fn] and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word and it becomes unproductive. 23 But what was sown on the good soil—this is the one who hears the word and understands it,[fn] who indeed bears fruit and produces, this one a hundred times as much, and this one sixty, and this one thirty.”