Luke 8:4-18

New Life Version

The Picture-Story of the Man Who Planted Seed ^(A)

⁴ Many people came together from every town to Jesus. He told them a picture-story.

⁵ “A man went out to plant seed. As he planted the seed, some fell by the side of the road. It was walked on and birds came and ate it. ⁶ Some seed fell between rocks. As soon as it started to grow, it dried up because it had no water. ⁷ Some seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew and did not give the seed room to grow. ⁸ Some seed fell on good ground. It grew and gave one hundred times as much grain.” When Jesus had finished saying this, He cried out, “You have ears, then listen!”

⁹ His followers asked Him what this picture-story meant. ¹⁰ Jesus said, “You were given the secrets about the holy nation of God. Others are told picture-stories. As they look, they do not see. As they hear, they do not understand.

Jesus Tells about the Man Who Planted Seed

¹¹ “This is what the picture-story means. The seed is the Word of God. ¹² Those by the side of the road hear the Word. Then the devil comes and takes the Word from their hearts. He does not want them to believe and be saved from the punishment of sin. ¹³ Those which fell among rocks are those who when they hear the Word receive it with joy. These have no root. For awhile they believe, but when they are tempted they give up. ¹⁴ Those which fell among thorns hear the Word but go their own way. The cares of this life let the thorns grow. A love for money lets the thorns grow also. And the fun of this life lets the thorns grow. Their grain never becomes full-grown. ¹⁵ But those which fell on good ground have heard the Word. They keep it in a good and true heart and they keep on giving good grain.

The Picture-Story of the Lamp

¹⁶ “No man lights a lamp and puts it under a pail or under a bed. He puts it on a lamp-stand so all who come into the room may see it. ¹⁷ Nothing is secret but what will be known. Anything that is hidden will be brought into the light. ¹⁸ Be careful how you listen! Whoever has, to him will be given. Whoever does not have, even the little he has will be taken from him.”