MAT 13:21 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, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
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 but he has no root in himself but is temporary; and tribulation or persecution having happened because of the word, immediately he is caused to stumble.

UST However, they are like plants without good roots, which do not live very long. In fact, when bad things happen or when people hurt them because they accepted the message about God’s kingdom, they quickly stop believing it.

BLB And he has in himself no root, but is temporary. And having come tribulation or persecution on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

AICNT yet has no root in themselves but is temporary; when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately fall away.[fn]

13:21, fall away: Or stumble

OEB but, as they have no root, they stand for only a short time; and, when trouble or persecution arises because of the message, they fall away at once.

WEBBE yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET But he has no root in himself and does not endure; when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away.

LSV and he has no root in himself, but is temporary, and persecution or tribulation having happened because of the word, immediately he is stumbled.

FBV They last for a while, but because they don't have roots, when problems and troubles come, they quickly fall away.

TCNT Yet he has no root in himself, but is only temporary. When tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, he immediately falls away.

T4T But because it does not penetrate deeply into their inner beings, they believe it for only a short time. They are like the plants that did not have deep roots. When they are treated badly and caused to suffer because they believe God’s message, they soon stop believing it.

LEB 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.

13:21 Literally “is temporary”

13:21 *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“happens”)

BBE But having no root in himself, he goes on for a time; and when trouble comes or pain, because of the word, he quickly becomes full of doubts.

Moff he has no root in himself, he does not last, but when the word brings trouble or persecution he is at once repelled.

Wymth It has struck no root, however, within him. He continues for a time, but when suffering comes, or persecution, because of the Message, he at once stumbles and falls.

ASV yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth.

DRA Yet hath he not root in himself, but is only for a time: and when there ariseth tribulation and persecution because of the word, he is presently scandalized.

YLT and he hath not root in himself, but is temporary, and persecution or tribulation having happened because of the word, immediately he is stumbled.

Drby but has no root in himself, but is for a time only; and when tribulation or persecution happens on account of the word, he is immediately offended.

RV yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth.
(yet hath/has he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth/stumbles. )

SLT And has no root in himself, but is for a time; and there being pressure or expulsion for the word, straightly is he offended.

Wbstr Yet he hath not root in himself, but endureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, forthwith he is offended.

KJB-1769 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
( Yet hath/has he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. )

KJB-1611 Yet hath hee not root in himselfe, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
(Yet hath/has he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.)

Bshps Yet hath he not roote in hym selfe, but dureth for a season: for when tribulation or persecution aryseth because of the worde, by and by he is offended.
(Yet hath/has he not root in himself, but dureth for a season: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.)

Gnva Yet hath he no roote in himselfe, and dureth but a season: for assoone as tribulation or persecution commeth because of the woorde, by and by he is offended.
(Yet hath/has he no root in himself, and dureth but a season: for as soon as tribulation or persecution cometh/comes because of the word, by and by he is offended. )

Cvdl neuertheles he hath no rote i him, but endureth for a season: wha trouble & persecucion aryseth because of the worde, immediatly he his offended.
(nevertheless he hath/has no root 1 him, but endureth for a season: what trouble and persecution ariseth because of the word, immediately he his offended.)

TNT yet hath he no rottes in him selfe and therfore dureth but a season: for assone as tribulacion or persecucion aryseth because of the worde by and by he falleth.
(yet hath/has he no rottes in himself and therefore dureth but a season: for as soon as tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word by and by he falleth. )

Wycl And he hath not roote in hym silf, but is temporal. For whanne tribulacioun and persecucioun is maad for the word, anoon he is sclaundrid.
(And he hath/has not root in himself, but is temporal. For when tribulation and persecution is made for the word, anon/immediately he is slandered/disgraced.)

Luth Aber er hat nicht Wurzel in ihm, sondern er ist wetterwendisch; wenn sich Trübsal und Verfolgung erhebt um des Worts willen, so ärgert er sich bald.
(But he has not root(n) in him, rather he is weather-changeable; when itself/yourself/themselves gloom/sorrow/afflictions and persecution raises around/by/for the word will, so annoys he itself/yourself/themselves bald.)

ClVg non habet autem in se radicem, sed est temporalis: facta autem tribulatione et persecutione propter verbum, continuo scandalizatur.
(not/no has however in/into/on himself root, but it_is temporal: facts however tribulation and persecution because the_word/saying, continuously scandalizatur. )

UGNT οὐκ ἔχει δὲ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιρός ἐστιν; γενομένης δὲ θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον, εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζεται.
(ouk eⱪei de ɽizan en heautōi, alla proskairos estin; genomenaʸs de thlipseōs aʸ diōgmou dia ton logon, euthus skandalizetai.)

SBL-GNT οὐκ ἔχει δὲ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιρός ἐστιν, γενομένης δὲ θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζεται.
(ouk eⱪei de ɽizan en heautōi alla proskairos estin, genomenaʸs de thlipseōs aʸ diōgmou dia ton logon euthus skandalizetai.)

RP-GNT οὐκ ἔχει δὲ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιρός ἐστιν· γενομένης δὲ θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον, εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζεται.
(ouk eⱪei de ɽizan en heautōi, alla proskairos estin; genomenaʸs de thlipseōs aʸ diōgmou dia ton logon, euthus skandalizetai.)

TC-GNT οὐκ ἔχει δὲ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιρός ἐστι· γενομένης δὲ θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον, εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζεται.
(ouk eⱪei de ɽizan en heautōi, alla proskairos esti; genomenaʸs de thlipseōs aʸ diōgmou dia ton logon, euthus skandalizetai. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (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.

13:21a

But since he has no root,

But he has no/few roots from the seed/message growing in him,
But he does not let God’s word grow deep in his heart/mind,
But they do not allow the word/message to really change them.

In this verse, Jesus explained the meaning of the seed that had few roots and withered away (13:6b). Jesus explained the meaning by keeping part of the metaphor.

But: Something unexpected happens here. We would expect a person who “receives [the message] with joy” (in 13:20c) to continue receiving/believing the message. But he does not. The BSB introduces this unexpected event with the conjunction But.

Here is another way to introduce this unexpected event:

yet (NRSV)

since he has no root: This clause means “this type of person has no roots from the seed/message growing in him.” This means that this person has not allowed the roots of the message to enter his heart/mind and really change him.

Remember that Jesus compared people to different types of soil. And he compared the message to seed. So it is the seed that produces roots, not the person. The person is the thin soil in which the seed grows no roots.

As in 13:6b, this is an exaggeration. It means that the person has not allowed many roots to enter the soil of his heart/mind and really change him.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

Make the metaphor more complete. For example:
he has no/few roots from the seed/word growing in him
Translate some of the meaning of the metaphor. For example:
he does not let God’s word grow deep in his heart/mind
Translate the meaning of the phrase without the metaphor. For example:
he does not let the teaching go deep into his life (NCV)
he does not allow the message to deeply enter his heart
he does not allow the word/message to really change him

13:21b

he remains for only a season.

so he stays/is that way only a short time.
They do not welcome/believe it for very long.

The Greek conjunction that the BSB leaves untranslated and some English versions literally translate as “but” occurs when a pair of clauses is related, and the first clause (13:21a) contains the word “no.” This conjunction does not always introduce a clear contrast. In many languages, it will be better to introduce 13:21b with another conjunction. For example:

so (NCV)

and (GNT)

remains for only a season: This phrase indicates that the person accepts the message for only a short time.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

does not endure (NET)

receives it only for a short time

he lasts only a little while (GW)

13:21c

When trouble or persecution comes because of the word,

When difficulty comes and people make him suffer because of the word,
Then when they have problems and people harass them because they believed in the word of God,

trouble: The word trouble generally describes troubles or difficulties of all kinds.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

suffering (GW)

difficulty

tribulation (ESV)

In some languages, it will be more natural to translate this noun as a verb. For example:

when people make him suffer

persecution: This word refers to “deliberately harming someone,” “mistreating someone,” or “causing someone to suffer.” Persecution occurs when people harass others physically, such as beating them or forcing them to leave their homes and taking their possessions. Persecution also occurs when people say hurtful things.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

oppression

harassment

In some languages, it will be more natural to translate this noun as a verb. For example:

when people oppress/harm him

The verb form (“persecute”) of this word occurs in 10:23a.

comes: This word can also be translated as “arises.” However, in some languages, it is not natural to say that tribulation and persecution “come” or “arise.” In some languages, it will be more natural to say:

when they have problems and when people are cruel to them

because of the word: The words because of indicate that “because he heard and received the word,” others persecuted him.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

due to the word of God

because he received/welcomed the word

the word: You should translate the word in the same way as you translated it in 13:19a (“the message”) and 13:20b.

13:21d

he quickly falls away.

he quickly turns away from the message.
they soon stop believing it.

he quickly falls away: This clause means that the person quickly stops believing the message.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he soon turns away from the message

it is not long before he stops believing God’s message

he quickly gives up (NCV)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οὐκ ἔχει δὲ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιρός ἐστιν

no ˓is˒_having (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὐκ ἔχει δέ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ ἀλλά πρόσκαιρος ἐστίν γενομένης δέ θλίψεως ἤ διωγμοῦ διά τόν λόγον εὐθύς σκανδαλίζεται)

Here Jesus speaks about these people as if they were the plants in the parable that had no root and were only temporary since they withered when the sun rose. Since this figure of speech connects to the parable that Jesus told, if possible you should preserve it or express the ideas in simile form. Alternate translation: [but he is like a plant with no roots that does not live for long]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἔχει & ἑαυτῷ & σκανδαλίζεται

˓is˒_having & himself & ˱he˲_˓is_being˒_stumbled

Although the terms he, himself, and he are masculine, Jesus is using the words in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: [that person has … himself or herself … he or she is caused to stumble]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

οὐκ & ῥίζαν

no & root

Here, just as in [13:6](../13/06.md), Jesus says no root as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: [almost no root] or [very small roots]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

γενομένης δὲ θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ

˓having˒_become (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὐκ ἔχει δέ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ ἀλλά πρόσκαιρος ἐστίν γενομένης δέ θλίψεως ἤ διωγμοῦ διά τόν λόγον εὐθύς σκανδαλίζεται)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of tribulation and persecution, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [and when he is afflicted or persecuted]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τὸν λόγον

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὐκ ἔχει δέ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ ἀλλά πρόσκαιρος ἐστίν γενομένης δέ θλίψεως ἤ διωγμοῦ διά τόν λόγον εὐθύς σκανδαλίζεται)

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 6 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 verses. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the word about the kingdom]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

σκανδαλίζεται

˱he˲_˓is_being˒_stumbled

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. Alternate translation: [he stumbles]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor