The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable:^[a](A) The seed is the word of God.^{(B) 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, welcome the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing.^{(C) 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,^(D) and produce no mature fruit. ¹⁵ But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who,^[b] having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring,^(E) bear fruit.