Luke 8:1-10

1Some time afterward he went on through towns and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him,

2and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and disabilities: Mary (called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had gone out,

3and Joanna the wife of Cuza (Herod’s household manager), Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their own resources.

4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from one town after another, he spoke to them in a parable:

5“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birds devoured it.

6Other seed fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture.

7Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up with it and choked it.

8But other seed fell on good soil and grew, and it produced a hundred times as much grain.” As he said this, he called out, “The one who has ears to hear had better listen!”

9Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant.

10He said, “You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that although they see they may not see, and although they hear they may not understand.