MAT 13:20 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Now the one having been sown on the rocky ground, this is the one hearing the word and immediately receiving it with joy;

UST Other people are like the seeds that fell on shallow soil on top of a layer of rocks. When they hear the message about God’s kingdom, they rejoice and quickly believe it.

BLB And the one having been sown upon the rocky places, this is the one hearing the word and immediately receiving it with joy.

AICNT The one sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately takes and receives it with joy,

OEB By the seed which was sown on rocky places is meant the person who hears the message, and at once accepts it joyfully;

WEBBE What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately with joy receives it;

WMBB (Same as above)

NET The seed sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.

LSV And that sown on the rocky places, this is he who is hearing the word, and immediately with joy is receiving it,

FBV The seeds sown on stony ground are people who hear the message and happily accept it straight away.

TCNT The seed sown on rocky ground is he who hears the word and immediately [fn]receives it with joy.

13:20 receives ¦ accepts and receives ANT

T4T Some people are like the shallow soil on top of rock. When they hear God’s message, they immediately accept it joyfully.

LEB And what was sown on the rocky ground—this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.

BBE And that which went on the stones, this is he who, hearing the word, straight away takes it with joy;

Moff As for him who is sown 'on stony soil,' that is the man who hears the word and accepts it at once with enthusiasm;

Wymth He who has received the seed on the rocky ground is the man who hears the Message and immediately receives it with joy.

ASV And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it;

DRA And he that received the seed upon stony ground, is he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with joy.

YLT 'And that sown on the rocky places, this is he who is hearing the word, and immediately with joy is receiving it,

Drby But he that is sown on the rocky places — this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,

RV And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it;
(And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth/hears the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; )

SLT And he having sown upon rocky places, this is he hearing the word, and quickly with joy receiving it;

Wbstr But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and immediately with joy receiveth it;

KJB-1769 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
( But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth/hears the word, and anon/immediately with joy receiveth it; )

KJB-1611 But he that receiued the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, & anon with ioy receiueth it:
(But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth/hears the word, and anon/immediately with joy receives it:)

Bshps But he that receaued the seede into stony places, the same is he that heareth the worde, and anone with ioy, receaueth it:
(But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth/hears the word, and anon/immediately with joy, receives it:)

Gnva And hee that receiued seede in the stonie grounde, is he which heareth the woorde, and incontinently with ioy receiueth it,
(And he that received seed in the stony ground, is he which heareth/hears the word, and incontinently with joy receives it, )

Cvdl But he yt is sowne in the stonye grounde, is this: wha one heareth the worde, & anone with ioye receaueth it:
(But he it is sown in the stony ground, is this: what one heareth/hears the word, and anon/immediately with joy receives it:)

TNT But he that was sowne in the stony grounde is he which heareth the worde of God and anone with ioye receaveth it
(But he that was sown in the stony ground is he which heareth/hears the word of God and anon/immediately with joy receives it )

Wycl But this that is sowun on the stony loond, this it is, that herith the word of God, and anoon with ioye takith it.
(But this that is sown on the stony land, this it is, that heareth/hears the word of God, and anon/immediately with joy taketh/takes it.)

Luth Der aber auf das Steinige gesäet ist, der ist‘s, wenn jemand das Wort höret und dasselbige bald aufnimmt mit Freuden.
(The but on/in/to the stony_(place) sown is, the/of_the it_is, when someone the word hear and the_same soon records with pleasures/delights.)

ClVg Qui autem super petrosa seminatus est, hic est qui verbum audit, et continuo cum gaudio accipit illud:[fn]
(Who however over rocky sowsus it_is, this/here it_is who/which the_word/saying listens, and continuously when/with with_joy receives it/this/that: )

13.20 Super petrosa. Super petram et in spinis seminantur, qui bene accipiunt: sed vel adversa terrendo, vel prospera blandiendo, retardant eos ne perficiant. Divitiis jungitur sollicitudo custodiæ, quæ affligit, et voluptas, quæ effluere facit.

13.20 Above/Over rocky. Above/Over a_rock and in/into/on thorns they_are_sown, who/which well they_accept: but or adverse terrendo, or prosperous blandiendo, retardant them not perficiant. Divitiis joinsur anxiety keepæ, which affligit, and pleasure, which effluere he_does.

UGNT ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τὸν λόγον ἀκούων καὶ εὐθὺς μετὰ χαρᾶς λαμβάνων αὐτόν;
(ho de epi ta petrōdaʸ spareis, houtos estin ho ton logon akouōn kai euthus meta ⱪaras lambanōn auton;)

SBL-GNT ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τὸν λόγον ἀκούων καὶ εὐθὺς μετὰ χαρᾶς λαμβάνων αὐτόν,
(ho de epi ta petrōdaʸ spareis, houtos estin ho ton logon akouōn kai euthus meta ⱪaras lambanōn auton,)

RP-GNT Ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τὸν λόγον ἀκούων, καὶ εὐθὺς μετὰ χαρᾶς λαμβάνων αὐτόν·
(Ho de epi ta petrōdaʸ spareis, houtos estin ho ton logon akouōn, kai euthus meta ⱪaras lambanōn auton;)

TC-GNT Ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τὸν λόγον ἀκούων, καὶ [fn]εὐθὺς μετὰ χαρᾶς [fn]λαμβάνων αὐτόν·
(Ho de epi ta petrōdaʸ spareis, houtos estin ho ton logon akouōn, kai euthus meta ⱪaras lambanōn auton; )

13:20 ευθυς ¦ ευθεως ANT

13:20 λαμβανων ¦ δεχομενος και λαμβανων ANT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 13:18–23: Jesus explained the parable of the man who sowed seeds

In this section, Jesus explained the meaning of the parable of the sower. As you translate this section, it is important to understand and remember the main elements in this parable and what they represent.

There are three main metaphors in this parable:

The seed represents the message about the kingdom.
The sowing of the seed represents telling the message to people.
The four types of soil represents four types of people who hear the message.

The first type of soil is the soil along the path. This soil represents people whom Satan causes to forget the message of the kingdom. The second type of soil is the rocky soil. This soil represents people who initially accept the message, but when troubles or persecution happen to them, they quickly reject the message. The third type of soil is the thorny soil. This soil represents people who accept the message, but worries about daily living cause them to not do anything for God. Finally, the forth type of soil is the good soil. This soil represents people who hear and understand the message, and the message produces results in their lives.

In these verses, the Greek text sometimes keeps the metaphor and sometimes explains the meaning of the metaphor. For example 13:19c–d has: “the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.” The words “snatches away what was sown” keep the metaphor of birds eating the grain that the farmer sowed. But the words “the evil one comes” explains the meaning of the metaphor of “birds” (13:4c).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus explained the parable of the four soils

The Parable of the Sower Explained (NRSV)

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 4:13–20 and Luke 8:11–15.

13:20a

The seed sown on rocky ground

The rocky places where some seed fell
The meaning of what happened to the seeds that the farmer sowed/scattered on bedrock

The seed sown on rocky ground: This clause indicates that another explanation is coming. It is the explanation of what happened when some seed fell on rocky ground. Be careful not to imply that the seed is being compared to a person. The comparison is to the entire situation.

This clause is passive. Here are some ways to translate it:

Use a passive verb. For example:
The meaning of what happened to the seeds that were planted on rocky places is this:
Use an active verb. For example:
As for the seeds that the farmer planted on bedrock, that is like
Use another type of verb. For example:
As for the shallow ground where some seeds fell, that is like

sown: Some English translations (like the NIV and GNT) translate sown here as “fell.” This indicates that the farmer did not sow the seeds on the rocky ground on purpose.

rocky ground: The Greek word that the BSB translates as rocky ground is the same word that occurs in 13:5a. It refers to ground that has a layer of solid rock underneath. There is not much soil on top of the solid rock. This clause does not refer to soil and rocks mixed together.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

shallow soil with underlying rock

solid rock with a thin layer of soil

bedrock where there is only a little soil on top

13:20b

is the one who hears the word

show/represent a person who hears the message
is this: some people hear the message/truth about the kingdom,

is: The word is indicates a comparison. It means “the situation in 13:20a represents….” In other words, sowing on rocky ground “is like” or “represents” someone who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. For example:

represents (NLT)

stand for (GNT)

the one who hears the word: The word one refers to a certain type of person. In some languages, it may be more natural to use a plural word here. For example:

the people who gladly hear the message (CEV)

those who hear the message (NLT)

the word: This word refers to the “message,” “talk,” or “news” of the kingdom. You should translate the word in the same way as you translated it in 13:19a (BSB: “the message”).

13:20c

and at once receives it with joy.

and immediately accepts it and is glad/happy.
and right away they welcome/believe it with gladness.

at once: Here are some other ways to translate this word:

without hesitation

immediately (ESV)

as soon as they hear it (GNT)

receives it with joy: The word receives indicates that the person accepts the message about God’s kingdom. He accepts it and is happy.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

welcomes it…with joy (NJB)

accepts it…with joy (REB)

believes it and is happy

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ἐπί τά πετρώδη σπαρείς οὗτος ἐστίν ὁ τόν λόγον ἀκούων καί εὐθύς μετά χαρᾶς λαμβάνων αὐτόν)

Here, the word Now introduces the next thing that Jesus wants to say. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces the next topic, or you could leave Now untranslated. Alternate translation: [Next,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὁ & ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τὸν λόγον ἀκούων καὶ εὐθὺς μετὰ χαρᾶς λαμβάνων αὐτόν

the_‹one› & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ἐπί τά πετρώδη σπαρείς οὗτος ἐστίν ὁ τόν λόγον ἀκούων καί εὐθύς μετά χαρᾶς λαμβάνων αὐτόν)

Here Jesus speaks about what happens to this person as if it were what happened in the parable when the seed was sown on the rocky ground. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in simile form. Alternate translation: [what happened to the seed having been sown on the rocky ground is like what happens to the one hearing the word and immediately receiving it with joy]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicitinfo

ὁ & ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς, οὗτός

Here, the word this refers directly back to the one having been sown on the rocky ground. Jesus expresses the idea in this way to introduce the one having been sown on the rocky ground and then explain what it means. If stating the topic and then referring back to it with the word this would be redundant in your language, you could omit the redundant information. Alternate translation: [the one having been sown on the rocky ground]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

σπαρείς

˓having_been˒_sown

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was the farmer who was sowing seed. Alternate translation: [that the farmer sowed]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὰ πετρώδη

Here, just as in [13:5](../13/05.md), Jesus refers to an area that has a thin layer of soil on top of a layer of rocks. Express the idea as you did in that verse. Alternate translation: [a thin layer of soil on top of rocks] or [a rocky area]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τὸν λόγον

Here, just as in [13:19](../13/19.md), Jesus is using the term word to mean something spoken in words. Express the idea as you did there. Alternate translation: [the proclamation] or [the news]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὸν λόγον

Here Jesus implies that this is the same “word of the kingdom” that he mentioned in the previous verse. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the word about the kingdom]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

μετὰ χαρᾶς

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of joy, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [joyfully]

Parallel MAT 13:20

Section 13:18–23: Jesus explained the parable of the man who sowed seeds

13:20a

13:20b

13:20c