And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.

“‘No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

Even if they escape from destruction, Egypt will gather them, and Memphis will bury them. Their treasures of silver will be taken over by briers, and thorns will overrun their tents.

The high places of wickedness will be destroyed— it is the sin of Israel. Thorns and thistles will grow up and cover their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”

They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will be consumed like dry stubble.

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;

They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe

When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.