The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.

He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,

As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy

Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

So there was great joy in that city.

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.

Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy.

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.

I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?

Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Trials and Temptations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

We write this to make our joy complete.

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Doxology

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—