Mark 4:10-19

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

11He said to them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those outside, everything is in parables,

12so that although they look they may look but not see, and although they hear they may hear but not understand, so they may not repent and be forgiven.”

13He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? Then how will you understand any parable?

14The sower sows the word.

15These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: Whenever they hear, immediately Satan comes and snatches the word that was sown in them.

16These are the ones sown on rocky ground: As soon as they hear the word, they receive it with joy.

17But they have no root in themselves and do not endure. Then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away.

18Others are the ones sown among thorns: They are those who hear the word,

19but worldly cares, the seductiveness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it produces nothing.