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.’