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OET (OET-LV) And the seed having_fallen into the thorns, these are the ones having_heard, and going are_being_choked under worries, and riches, and gratifications of_ the _living, and are_ not _brought_to_maturity.
OET (OET-RV) The seeds among the thistles are those who heard the message but get choked under worries and wealth and the good life, and so they never reach maturity.
In 8:9–10 Jesus explained why he taught in parables. Then in 8:11–15 he explained the meaning of the parable in 8:1–8b. The basic meaning of Jesus’ explanation is clear. However, there are questions about the meaning of the seed in this section. In 8:11 the seed refers to the word of God. In 8:12–15 what is sown seems to refer to the people who hear the word. This has led to several interpretations for the seed in 8:12–15.
The interpretation that the Notes follows is that in 8:12–15 the seed continues to represent the word. The introductory expressions such as “those on/beside/in…are…” (RSV) refer generally to four different ways in which people hear and respond to the word.
Many scholars support this interpretation in their commentaries. In some versions the seed appears to refer to the people. However, even in these versions, the text implies that the seed of the word has different results in different kinds of people.
Here is the meaning of the main metaphors in the parable:
The seeds represent the word, which is the message from God.
The sowing of the seed represents telling the message to people.
The different kinds of soil represent the way different people hear the message.
This section heading should be similar to the section heading for 8:1–10. You may use the word “explained” or “Jesus explained” (instead of “Jesus told”).
Some other possible headings for this section are:
Jesus explained the parable of the sower and the soils
The parable/story/illustration about the four soils explained
The explanation of the parable about four kinds of people
The meaning of the parable of a man scattering seed
There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 13:18–23 and Mark 4:13–20.
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear,
The example/picture of seeds that fell on ground that had thorn plants/bushes represents people who hear the word of God,
The seeds scattered on the ground where thorns/weeds always grow illustrate people who hear God’s message,
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as The seeds that fell among the thorns introduces what happens when seeds fall on thorny ground. This general situation, not just the seeds, represents people who hear God’s message.The pronoun that introduces the third and fourth soils changes in the Greek text from masculine plural (οἱ) to neuter singular (τὸ). This may indicate “that part (of the seeds).” But this is quickly replaced again by the masculine plural (οὗτοί) in “these are the ones.” So the change does not appear that significant. The sense of Jesus’ explanation remains that the total image of seed and soil represents a type of people who respond to the Word in a certain way. Some ways to translate this are:
When seeds fall among thorns, it is like when people hear God’s message…
The picture of the seeds scattered among thorns represent the kind of people who hear God’s message…
See the note at 8:7a for ways to translate among the thorns. Translate the term thorns in the same way that you did at 8:7a.
are those who: The Greek word that the BSB translates as are those who is literally “are,” as in 8:13a. The BSB uses a different phrase here because that is natural style in English.
but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life,
but the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life/world gradually suffocate/overwhelm them
but they worry about many things and work hard to obtain wealth and pleasure, and little by little their faith withers/fades away.
but as time passes, they become more concerned about earthly things than about God’s message. They have many worries, and they seek wealth and pleasure.
but as they go on their way: The Greek word that the BSB translates as as they go on their way is literally “going along.” It refers to the process of doing the normal activities of life. It also indicates that the “choking” of 8:14c is a gradual process. Some ways to express this are:
as time/life continues, they are choked
they are gradually choked
they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life: This is a metaphor. Here Jesus implied that the people are like the grain plants that were choked by the thorns. These people worry too much about troubles and enjoy too many riches and pleasures. They have no time to act on God’s message, and their faith dies. That is, they do not continue to believe God’s message.
Some ways to translate the metaphor are:
Use a simile. For example:
They are choked/suffocated by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life like plants that are choked/suffocated by thorns.
They are pressed upon by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life like plants that are crowded out by thorns.
Make the meaning more explicit. For example:
They are very concerned with the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life. These things crowd God’s message out of their minds just as thorns choke good plants.
they are choked: See the note on “choked the seedlings” at 8:7b. It is good if you have an expression that can fit both choking by thorns and being busy with many concerns. Even if you do not have such an expression, make it clear that earthly concerns can hinder and destroy a person’s faith, just as thorns hinder the growth of good plants.
the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life means “the worries of life, the riches of life, and the pleasures of life.” In this context, “life” refers to physical life and the normal activities that people do as they live. It implies a contrast with eternal life that is concerned with believing God’s message and obeying him.
Some other ways to translate this are:
the worries, riches, and pleasures of ordinary/daily life
the worries, riches, and pleasures of life in this world
In some languages it may be natural to use verbs for some or all of these ideas. For example:
as they live, they absorb themselves in worrying, gaining riches, or pleasing themselves
their lives are so busy as they worry about many things and enjoy wealth and pleasures
worries: The word worries refers to anxieties. It is a general word that includes anything that people are anxious about. Other ways to translate this are:
cares (NLT)
the things that people worry about
riches: The word riches refers to money, possessions, and other types of wealth.
pleasures: The word pleasures refers to whatever causes a person enjoyment or delight. Other ways to translate this are:
enjoying themselves
delights
the things that people enjoy
and their fruit does not mature.
so that like plants choked by thorns they do not produce ripe/mature fruit.
So in the end they are not useful to God just as plants without ripe fruit/grain are not useful to the farmer.
As a result, they do not live as God’s message teaches them to live.
and: The word and introduces what happens as a result of 8:14b. Some English versions use a conjunction such as “so” that indicates result. Connect this part of the verse to 8:14b in a natural way in your language.
and their fruit does not mature: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as mature means “bear ripe fruit,” “bring fruit to maturity.” In this context the phrase does not mature is a metaphor. It compares these people to the plants that are choked by thorns. The plants do not produce ripe fruit and so they are of no use to the farmer. In the same way, these people do not continue to believe God’s message and entrust themselves to him so that they please him.
Some ways to translate this metaphor are:
Use a simile. For example:
they are like plants that do not give any fruit/harvest
Make the meaning more explicit. For example:
they are as useless as plants that do not produce fruit/grain
God’s message does not produce good results
they do not live/act according to God’s message
Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
τὸ δὲ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας πεσόν, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Δέ εἰς τάς ἀκάνθας πεσόν οὗτοι εἰσίν οἱ ἀκούσαντες καί ὑπό μεριμνῶν καί πλούτου καί ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου πορευόμενοι συμπνίγονται καί οὒ τελεσφοροῦσιν)
Jesus continues to explain the figurative meanings of the seeds that fell in different places. Alternate translation: [In the parable, the seeds that fell among the thorns represent people]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
ὑπὸ μεριμνῶν, καὶ πλούτου, καὶ ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου & συνπνίγονται
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Δέ εἰς τάς ἀκάνθας πεσόν οὗτοι εἰσίν οἱ ἀκούσαντες καί ὑπό μεριμνῶν καί πλούτου καί ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου πορευόμενοι συμπνίγονται καί οὒ τελεσφοροῦσιν)
If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this with an active form. Alternate translation: [the worries and riches and pleasures of this life choke them]
μεριμνῶν
worries
Alternate translation: [things that people worry about]
ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου
gratifications ¬the ˱of˲_living
Alternate translation: [the things in this life that people enjoy]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
οὐ τελεσφοροῦσιν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Δέ εἰς τάς ἀκάνθας πεσόν οὗτοι εἰσίν οἱ ἀκούσαντες καί ὑπό μεριμνῶν καί πλούτου καί ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου πορευόμενοι συμπνίγονται καί οὒ τελεσφοροῦσιν)
The phrase mature fruit means spiritual maturity that is evidenced by godly character and loving actions. Alternate translation: [they do not mature into people of godly character who act out of love]
OET (OET-LV) And the seed having_fallen into the thorns, these are the ones having_heard, and going are_being_choked under worries, and riches, and gratifications of_ the _living, and are_ not _brought_to_maturity.
OET (OET-RV) The seeds among the thistles are those who heard the message but get choked under worries and wealth and the good life, and so they never reach maturity.
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.
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