Mark 4:5-17

5Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it grew up quickly, since the soil wasn’t deep.

6When the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.

7Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn’t produce fruit.

8Still other seed fell on good ground and it grew up, producing fruit that increased thirty, sixty, and a hundred times.”

9Then he said, “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”

10When he was alone, those around him with the Twelve asked him about the parables.

11He answered them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those outside, everything comes in parables

12so that they may indeed look, and yet not perceive; they may indeed listen, and yet not understand; otherwise, they might turn back and be forgiven.”

13Then he said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand all of the parables?

14The sower sows the word.

15Some are like the word sown on the path. When they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word sown in them.

16And others are like seed sown on rocky ground. When they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy.

17But they have no root; they are short-lived. When distress or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately fall away.