Luke 8:11-21

English Standard Version

^11 (A)Now the parable is this: The seed is ^(B)the word of God. ¹² The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not ^(C)believe and be saved. ¹³ And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it ^(D)with joy. But these have no root; they ^(E)believe for a while, and in time of testing ^(F)fall away. ¹⁴ And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but ^(G)as they go on their way they are choked by the ^(H)cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. ¹⁵ As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and ^(I)bear fruit ^(J)with patience.

A Lamp Under a Jar

^16 (K)(L)“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. ^17 (M)For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. ^18 (N)Take care then how you hear, ^(O)for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

Jesus' Mother and Brothers

^19 (P)Then his mother and ^(Q)his brothers^[a] came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. ²⁰ And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” ²¹ But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those ^(R)who hear the word of God and do it.”