1. After this, Jesus traveled around from one town and village to another. He announced the good news of God's kingdom. The Twelve were with him.
2. So were some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses. One was Mary Magdalene. Seven demons had come out of her.
3. Another was Joanna, the wife of Cuza. He was the manager of Herod's household. Susanna and many others were there also. These women were helping to support Jesus and the Twelve with their own money.
4. A large crowd gathered together. People came to Jesus from town after town. As they did, he told a story. He said,
5. "A farmer went out to plant his seed. He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path. People walked on it, and the birds of the air ate it up.
6. Some seed fell on rocky places. When it grew, the plants dried up because they had no water.
7. Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up with it and crowded out the plants.
8. Still other seed fell on good soil. It grew up and produced a crop 100 times more than the farmer planted." When Jesus said this, he called out, "Those who have ears should listen."
9. His disciples asked him what the story meant.
10. He said, "You have been given the chance to understand the secrets of God's kingdom. But to outsiders I speak by using stories. In that way, " 'They see, but they will not know what they are seeing. They hear, but they will not understand what they are hearing.' (Isaiah 6:9)
11. "Here is what the story means. The seed is God's message.