Mark 4:5-17

5Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.

6But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died.

7Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain.

8Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

9Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

10Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.

11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders,

12so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’ ”

13Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?

14The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others.

15The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.

16The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.

17But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.