Some are like the seeds sown on rocky ground. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy.
Parallel translations
- WEB These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy.
- KJV And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
- NKJV These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
- NASB And in a similar way these are the ones sown with seed on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy;
- NLT The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The rocky-soil hearers receive the word at once with joy. It matters because it shows that an enthusiastic start is not the same as enduring faith.
Overview
These hearers respond immediately and gladly, which seems promising. Yet Jesus is about to reveal that their joy is shallow and rootless. The verse cautions against measuring faith by initial excitement, pointing instead to the depth and endurance that genuine reception of the word produces.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Mark 6:20because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.
- Luke 8:13The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
- Ezek 33:31–32So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
- John 5:35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.
- Matt 13:20–21The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
- Acts 8:13Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.
- Acts 8:18–21When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.
- Acts 24:25–26As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
- Matt 8:19–20And one of the scribes came to Him and said, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”
- Mark 10:17–22As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- Acts 26:28Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 4:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.