9
He added, "Let the person who has ears listen!"
10
When he was alone with his followers and the twelve apostles, they asked him about the stories.
11
Jesus replied to them, "The mystery about the kingdom of God has been given [directly] to you. To those on the outside, it is given in stories:
12
'They see clearly but don't perceive. They hear clearly but don't understand. They never return to me and are never forgiven.'"
13
Jesus asked them, "Don't you understand this story? How, then, will you understand any of the stories I use as illustrations?
14
"The farmer plants the word.
15
Some people are like seeds that were planted along the road. Whenever they hear the word, Satan comes at once and takes away the word that was planted in them.
16
Other people are like seeds that were planted on rocky ground. Whenever they hear the word, they accept it at once with joy.
17
But they don't develop any roots. They last for a short time. When suffering or persecution comes along because of the word, they immediately fall [from faith].
18
Other people are like seeds planted among thornbushes. They hear the word,
19
but the worries of life, the deceitful pleasures of riches, and the desires for other things take over. They choke the word so that it can't produce anything.