Many Women Support Christ’s Work

8 Afterward he was traveling from one town and village to another,^(A) preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God.^(B) The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses:^(C) Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out^(D) of her); ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.

The Parable of the Sower

⁴ As a large crowd was gathering, and people were coming to Jesus from every town, he said in a parable,^{(E) 5} “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some seed fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky devoured it. ⁶ Other seed fell on the rock; when it grew up, it withered away, since it lacked moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns grew up with it and choked it. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good ground; when it grew up, it produced fruit: a hundred times what was sown.”^(F) As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”^(G)

Why Jesus Used Parables

⁹ Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” ^{(H) 10} So he said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you^(I) to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable:^(K) The seed is the word of God.^{(L) 12} The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and fall away in a time of testing.^{(M) 14} As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life,^(N) and produce no mature fruit. ¹⁵ But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring,^(O) produce fruit.

Using Your Light

¹⁶ “No one, after lighting a lamp,^(P) covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light.^{(Q) 17} For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and brought to light.^{(R) 18} Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; ^(S) and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

True Relationships

¹⁹ Then his mother and brothers^(T) came to him,^(U) but they could not meet with him because of the crowd. ²⁰ He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

²¹ But he replied to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.”^(V)