Luke 8:4-21 (New International Version)
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While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:
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"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.
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Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.
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Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.
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Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."1
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His disciples asked him what this parable meant.
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He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you,2 but to others I speak in parables, so that, " 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'a3
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"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.4
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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.
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Those on the rock 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.5
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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, riches6 and pleasures, and they do not mature.
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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.
A Lamp on a Stand
16 "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.7 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.8 18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."9Jesus' Mother and Brothers
8:19-21pp -- Mt 12:46-50; Mk 3:31-35
19 Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers10 are standing outside, wanting to see you." 21 He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."11Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
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