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After this, Jesus traveled from one city and village to another. He spread the Good News about God's kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him.
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Also, some women were with him. They had been cured from evil spirits and various illnesses. These women were Mary, also called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
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Joanna, whose husband Chusa was Herod's administrator; Susanna; and many other women. They provided financial support for Jesus and his disciples.
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When a large crowd had gathered and people had come to Jesus from every city, he used this story as an illustration:
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"A farmer went to plant his seeds. Some seeds were planted along the road, were trampled, and were devoured by birds.
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Others were planted on rocky soil. When the plants came up, they withered because they had no moisture.
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Others were planted among thornbushes. The thornbushes grew up with them and choked them.
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Others were planted on good ground. When they came up, they produced a hundred times as much as was planted." After he had said this, he called out, "Let the person who has ears listen!"
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His disciples asked him what this story meant.
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Jesus answered, "Knowledge about the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given [directly] to you. But it is given to others in stories. When they look, they don't see, and when they hear, they don't understand.