THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE

Passage: Luke 8:11-15

Key verse: 15

NIV

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.(A) 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.(B) 14 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(C) and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

11 (A)Now the parable is this: The seed is (B)the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not (C)believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it (D)with joy. But these have no root; they (E)believe for a while, and in time of testing (F)fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but (G)as they go on their way they are choked by the (H)cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and (I)bear fruit (J)with patience.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Three unfruitful heart-soils (11-14)

The seed is the word of God. It is living and active. Some heart-soil, however, is not fruitful. The path represents hard and unresponsive hearts. Hearts become hard when one hears many good ideas but makes no commitment. Seeds that fall on rocky soil sprout quickly, but do not put down roots. Some people like Bible study, but never let it change their world view or the way they live. The thorns are those with busy minds, anxious hearts and worldly desires. The tender seed of God's word is choked out and can never bear fruit.

2. The good soil (15)

The path can be plowed, the rock broken and the thorns cleaned out. Repentance is our plow; God's word is a hammer. If we hear the word and retain it in a noble and good heart, and persevere in obedience to God, our lives will produce fruit that pleases God and blesses mankind.

Prayer: Lord, help me to have a noble and good heart and to persevere in your word.

One Word: Produce fruit by persevering