Luke 8:1-20 ▼

1 After this Jesus went about, preaching to every city and village, proclaiming the reign of the Messias, attended by his twelve apostles,

2 and several women, who had been delivered from evil spirits and cured of their diseases: particularly Mary Magdalene, who had been dispossess'd of seven demons:

3 Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's high-steward: Susanna, and several others, who assisted him with their fortunes.

4 A vast number of people being assembled, and crowding to him from all quarters, he thus address'd himself to them by way of parable.

5 a husbandman went out to sow his corn: and as he was sowing, some fell upon the beaten road, which was crush'd under foot, or devoured by the birds.

6 some fell upon very stony ground, which no sooner sprung up, but it wither'd away, for want of moisture:

7 some fell among thorns; but the thorns over-grew it, and starv'd it.

8 but some of the corn fell into good soil, and grew up, yielding a hundred grains for one, then raising his voice he concluded with these words, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9 But his disciples having ask'd him the meaning of this parable;

10 he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear.

11 now the meaning of the parable is this: the seed sown signifies the word of God.

12 by the beaten road is meant, they who only hear: the word, by the lurking wiles of the devil, being hinder'd from taking root in their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13 by the stony ground is understood such persons as receive indeed the doctrines they hear, with joy: but for want of resolution, believe only occasionally, and desert when the trial comes.

14 the ground over-run with thorns denotes such as have embraced the doctrine, but are so immerst in the business, enjoyments, and pleasures of life, as not to improve it to any real advantage.

15 but by the good ground is meant such persons as have received the doctrine with simplicity and sincerity, abide by it, and practise it with perseverance.

16 Now, no one lights a lamp to hide it under a vessel, or under a bed: but sets it on a stand, to give light to all the company.

17 whatever is now obscure, shall hereafter be made clear; whatever is now conceal'd, shall then be publickly known.

18 improve therefore what you hear: for he that improves what he has, shall have more; but he that does not, shall lose even that, which he thinks he possesses.

19 One day the mother of Jesus, and his brethren came to speak with him, but could not get near by reason of the crowd.

20 so some of the company said to him, your mother and brethren are waiting without, desiring to see you.