Matthew 13:18 Cross References

Matthew 13:18

18: "Now here is the explanation of the story I told about the farmer sowing grain:

Then he explained to them, "You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not.
To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.

"This is the meaning of the story: The seed is God's message.
The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message, but then the Devil comes and steals it away and prevents them from believing and being saved.
The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. They believe for a while, but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow.
The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.
But the good soil represents honest, good-hearted people who hear God's message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest.

"But if you can't understand this story, how will you understand all the others I am going to tell?
The farmer I talked about is the one who brings God's message to others.
The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message, but then Satan comes at once and takes it away from them.
The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy.
But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because they believe the word.

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