5. “A farmer went out to plant his seed. While he was planting, some seed fell beside the road. People walked on the seed, and the birds ate all this seed.
6. Some seed fell on rock. It began to grow but then died because it had no water.
7. Some seed fell among thorny weeds. This seed grew, but later the weeds choked the good plants.
8. And some seed fell on good ground. This seed grew and made 100 times more grain.”Jesus finished the story. Then he called out, “Let those with ears use them and listen!”
9. Jesus’ followers asked him, “What does this story mean?”
10. Jesus said, “You have been chosen to know the secret truths of the kingdom of God. But I use stories to speak to other people. I do this so that:‘They will look, but they may not see.They will listen, but they may not understand.’ Isaiah 6:9
11. “This is what the story means: The seed is God’s teaching.
12. What is the seed that fell beside the road? It is like the people who hear God’s teaching, but then the devil comes and takes it away from their hearts. So they cannot believe the teaching and be saved.