Luke 8:1-21 ▼

1 AND it came to pass afterwards, that he went through every city and village, preaching and publishing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God, and the twelve with him.

2 And certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and sicknesses, Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven devils had gone out.

3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's lieutenant-governor, and Susanna, and many others, who ministred to his support out of their possessions.

4 Now when a vast multitude was collected, even those who came to him out of every city, he spake by a parable.

5 A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the road side, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it up.

6 And other seed fell on a rock, and vegetating, withered because it had no moisture.

7 And other seed fell amidst thorns, and the thorns springing up with it, choked it.

8 And some fell on good ground, and shooting up, produced fruit an hundred fold. So saying, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9 Then his disciples asked him, saying. What might this parable mean?

10 And he said, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables: that seeing they may not perceive, and hearing may not comprehend.

11 Now this is the parable: The seed is the word of God.

12 They by the road side, are such as hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh the word from their heart, that they should not be saved in believing.

13 And they on the rock, are such as when they have heard, with joy embrace the word; and these have not root, who for a time believe, and in a season of trial apostasize.

14 And that which fell among thorns, are they having heard, and going away, are choked by the cares, and wealth, and pleasures of life, and bring forth no perfect fruit.

15 But that on the good ground are they who having heard the word, retain it in a heart excellent and good, and bring forth fruit with patience.

16 No man lighting a lamp hides it with a cover, or putteth it under a bed, but on a stand, that they who are coming in, may see the light.

17 For there is nothing hid which shall not be made manifest, nor concealed, which shall not be known and brought to light.

18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, even what he seemeth to have shall be taken away from.

19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come near him because of the crowd.

20 And it was told him, saying, Thy mother and thy brethren are standing without, desirous of seeing thee.

21 Then he answered and said to them, My mother and my brethren are they, who hear the word of God, and practise it.