1. The next day, Jesus traveled through some cities and small towns. Jesus told the people a message from God, the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him.
2. There were also some women with him. Jesus had healed these women of sicknesses and evil spirits. One of them was Mary, who was called Magdalene. Seven demons had come out of her.
3. Also with these women were Joanna, the wife of Chuza (the manager of Herod’s property), Susanna, and many other women. These women used their own money to help Jesus and his apostles.
4. A large crowd came together. People came to Jesus from every town, and he told them this story:
5. “A farmer went out to sow seed. While he was scattering the seed, some of it fell beside the road. People walked on the seed, and the birds ate it all.
6. Other seed fell on rock. It began to grow but then died because it had no water.
7. Some other seed fell among thorny weeds. This seed grew, but later the weeds stopped the plants from growing.
8. The rest of the seed fell on good ground. This seed grew and made 100 times more grain.” Jesus finished the story. Then he called out, “You people who hear me, listen!”
9. Jesus’ followers asked him, “What does this story mean?”
10. He said, “You have been chosen to know the secret truths about God’s kingdom. But I use stories to speak to other people. I do this so that ‘They will look, but they will not see, and they will listen, but they will not understand.’ Isaiah 6:9
11. “This is what the story means: The seed is God’s teaching.
12. Some people are like the seed that fell beside the path. They hear God’s teaching, but then the devil comes and causes them to stop thinking about it. This keeps them from believing it and being saved.
13. Others are like the seed that fell on rock. That is like the people who hear God’s teaching and gladly accept it. But they don’t have deep roots. They believe for a while. But when trouble comes, they turn away from God.