The Sower and the Seed Parable

When a great multitude were gathering around Him, and those from the various cities were coming to Him, He spoke to them in parables. A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed, some of his seed fell beside the road. It was trampled underfoot, and the birds devoured it. Some seed fell on rock. It soon grew up but withered, because it didn't have moisture. Some of the seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew with it and were choking it. Other seed fell onto good ground and grew into a crop a hundred times as great. If you have ears to hear, I hope you hear. Master, what does this parable mean about the soul and the seed? Tell us, Master, what does it mean? To you it's given to know the secrets of God's kingdom. Here is the meaning. The seed is the Word of God. Those that fell beside the road, they are the ones who have heard the Word. Then the devil takes the Word away from their hearts so they may not believe. The seed that fell on rock are those that receive the Word with joy when they first hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a time until temptation tears them down. Those that fell among the thorns are those who have heard, but then as they go on they are choked with cares, with wealth, with pleasures. They bring no fruit to maturity. And the seed that fell upon good ground are those who have received the Word with a good heart, a righteous heart, and then bear fruit through their perseverance and faith.