Luke 8:14 The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.

◄ Luke 8:14 ►

New International Version
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

New Living Translation
The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.

English Standard Version
And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

Berean Standard Bible
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.

Berean Literal Bible
And that having fallen into the thorns, these are those having heard, and moving along are choked under the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and do not mature.

King James Bible
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

New King James Version
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

New American Standard Bible
And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked by worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity.

NASB 1995
“The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

NASB 1977
“And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of life, and do not bear ripe fruit.

Amplified Bible
The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, but as they go on their way they are suffocated with the anxieties and riches and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity.

Christian Standard Bible
As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit.

American Standard Version
And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Contemporary English Version
The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they are so eager for riches and pleasures that they never produce anything.

English Revised Version
And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The seeds that were planted among thornbushes are people who hear the word, but as life goes on the worries, riches, and pleasures of life choke them. So they don't produce anything good.

Good News Translation
The seeds that fell among thorn bushes stand for those who hear; but the worries and riches and pleasures of this life crowd in and choke them, and their fruit never ripens.

International Standard Version
The ones that fell among the thorn bushes are the people who listen, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries, wealth, and pleasures of life, and their fruit doesn't mature.

Majority Standard Bible
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.

NET Bible
As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

New Heart English Bible
That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

Webster's Bible Translation
And that which fell among thorns are they, who, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Weymouth New Testament
That which fell among the thorns means those who have heard, but as they go on their way, the Message is stifled by the anxieties, wealth and gaieties of time, and they yield nothing in perfection.

World English Bible
What fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life; and they bring no fruit to maturity.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And that which fell to the thorns: these are they who have heard, and going forth, through anxieties, and riches, and pleasures of life, are choked, and do not bear to completion.

Berean Literal Bible
And that having fallen into the thorns, these are those having heard, and moving along are choked under the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and do not mature.

Young's Literal Translation
'And that which fell to the thorns: These are they who have heard, and going forth, through anxieties, and riches, and pleasures of life, are choked, and bear not to completion.

Smith's Literal Translation
And that having fallen into thorns, and they are they having heard, and with cares and riches, and pleasures of life going forth, are choked, and bring not to maturity.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And those which fell among thorns are those who have heard it, but as they go along, they are suffocated by the concerns and riches and pleasures of this life, and so they do not yield fruit.

New American Bible
As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit.

New Revised Standard Version
As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
That which fell among the thistles are those who hear the word, and then choke themselves with worries and riches and worldly covetousness, and bear no fruit.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But these which fell among thorns are those who hear the word and by cares and by riches and the desires of the world, they are choked and they yield no fruit.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
That which fell among thorns are those who hear, and so conduct themselves, that they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Godbey New Testament
And that which falleth among thorns, there are those who hear, and going forward, by the cares and riches and pleasures are choked out, and bring forth no fruit to perfection.

Haweis New Testament
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.

Mace New Testament
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.

Weymouth New Testament
That which fell among the thorns means those who have heard, but as they go on their way, the Message is stifled by the anxieties, wealth and gaieties of time, and they yield nothing in perfection.

Worrell New Testament
"And that which fell among the thorns, these are those who heard; and, going forth, they are choked with anxieties, and riches, and pleasures of life, and bear no fruit to perfection.

Worsley New Testament
And that which fell among thorns, are those who when they have heard the word go away and are choked with the cares and riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Parable of the Sower
…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. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature. 15But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 13:22
The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Mark 4:18-19
Others are like the seeds sown among the thorns. They hear the word, / but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

James 1:11
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

2 Timothy 4:10
because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Proverbs 23:4-5
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? / The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.

Jeremiah 4:3-4
For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed ground, and do not sow among the thorns. / Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”

Ezekiel 33:31
So 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.

Psalm 119:36-37
Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain. / Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.

Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Treasury of Scripture

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

and are.

Luke 8:7
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 17:26-30
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man…

and bring.

Luke 13:6-9
He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none…

John 15:6
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

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Anxieties Bear Believe Cares Choked Fell Forth Fruit Heard Hearing Joyfully Life Mature Maturity Message Overcome Perfection Pleasures Receive Riches Rock Root Stands Thorns Time Trial Way Wealth

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Anxieties Bear Believe Cares Choked Fell Forth Fruit Heard Hearing Joyfully Life Mature Maturity Message Overcome Perfection Pleasures Receive Riches Rock Root Stands Thorns Time Trial Way Wealth

Luke 8

1. Women minister unto Jesus of their own means.
4. Jesus, after he had preached from place to place,
9. explains the parable of the sower,
16. and the candle;
19. declares who are his mother, and brothers;
22. rebukes the winds;
26. casts the legion of demons out of the man into the herd of pigs;
37. is rejected by the Gadarenes;
43. heals the woman of her bleeding;
49. and raises Jairus's daughter from death.

Berean Study Bible

The seeds that fell among the thorns
This phrase refers to the third type of soil in the Parable of the Sower. In the Greek, "seeds" (σπέρματα) symbolize the Word of God, which is sown into the hearts of individuals. The "thorns" (ἄκανθαι) represent the distractions and temptations of the world. Historically, thorns were a common agricultural problem in ancient Palestine, often overtaking crops and rendering them unfruitful. This imagery would have been vivid to Jesus' audience, who understood the struggle of cultivating a fruitful harvest amidst such challenges.

are those who hear
The Greek word for "hear" (ἀκούω) implies not just the act of listening but an initial reception of the message. In the context of the parable, it suggests that these individuals have an openness to the Word and an initial understanding or acceptance. However, hearing alone is not sufficient for spiritual growth and maturity.

but as they go on their way
This phrase indicates the progression of life and the journey each person undertakes. The Greek word for "way" (ὁδός) can also mean a path or road, symbolizing the daily walk and decisions of life. It suggests that the initial reception of the Word is not enough; it must be nurtured and protected as one continues through life.

they are choked
The Greek word for "choked" (συμπνίγω) conveys the idea of being suffocated or overwhelmed. This word paints a vivid picture of how external pressures and internal desires can stifle spiritual growth. In a historical context, the imagery of plants being choked by thorns would resonate with an agrarian society familiar with the challenges of maintaining a healthy crop.

by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life
This phrase identifies the specific distractions that can hinder spiritual growth. "Worries" (μέριμναι) refers to anxieties and concerns that can dominate one's thoughts. "Riches" (πλοῦτος) highlights the pursuit of wealth and material possessions, which can become idols. "Pleasures" (ἡδοναί) denotes the pursuit of sensual gratification and comfort. Together, these represent the temporal and often deceptive allurements of the world that can divert attention from spiritual priorities.

and their fruit does not mature
The Greek word for "fruit" (καρπός) symbolizes the visible evidence of spiritual growth and maturity, such as good works and Christ-like character. "Does not mature" (τελεσφορέω) suggests a failure to reach completion or fulfillment. In the context of the parable, it underscores the tragedy of a life that, despite initial promise, fails to produce lasting spiritual results due to being overwhelmed by worldly concerns.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) Cares and riches and pleasures of this life.--Better, simply, of life, St. Luke's word (bios) being different from that in the other two Gospels (?on, a time, or period--and so used for "the world"). The insertion of "pleasures" is peculiar to St. Luke, as is also the specific "bring no fruit to perfection "instead of "becometh unfruitful." The one Greek word which St. Luke uses, and for which the English version substitutes five, occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, and belonging, as it does, to the vocabulary of a more polished literature, is characteristic of his general culture.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. There is something very sad in this, the thorn-choked class of believers. Each of them represents the vie manquee; the beautiful flower just spoiled as it was bursting into full bloom. These hear the Word, and, hearing it, grasp its deep solemn meaning, and for a part of each day honestly try to live the life which that Divine Word pressed home to them. But with these there is another life; side by side with the golden grain has grown up a crop of thorns, which, unless destroyed in time, will choke and utterly mar, as, alas, it often does, the true corn. Such men and women, the double-minded ones of St. James, try to serve two masters - God and the world. Dr. Morrison has a good note on the parallel passage in St. Mark, where, after suggesting that the cares, the riches, and the pleasures of this life in our time are such things as houses, land, works of art and virtu, posts of honour, gaiety of garments, grandeur of entertainments, and in general the myriad appliances of luxury, he goes on to say, "These come more or less in upon all men, but some men lay themselves peculiarly open to their influence, and allow them to twine and twist themselves like the serpents of Laocoon around every energy and susceptibility of their being." The rich young ruler whom Jesus loved is a fair instance of this not uncommon character, which perhaps is more often met with among the more cultured of society than among the poor and the artisan class. There must have been much that was really beautiful and true in that young man, or Jesus never had singled him out as one whom he especially loved, and yet in his case the thorns of riches and luxury had so twined themselves among the real corn that, as far as we know, it never brought fruit to perfection. Ananias and Sapphira may, too, be instanced. They had given up much for the Name's sake, associated themselves with a hated and persecuted sect, sacrificed a large portion of their property to help the poor of the flock, and yet these apparently devoted ones were living a double life; the thorns had so grown up and twined about the corn that in their field nothing ever ripened.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

The [ seeds that ]
Τὸ (To)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

fell
πεσόν (peson)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4098: A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.

among
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

thorns
ἀκάνθας (akanthas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 173: A thorn-bush, prickly plant; a thorn. Probably from the same as akmen; a thorn.

are
εἰσιν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

those who
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hear,
ἀκούσαντες (akousantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

[but]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

as they go on their way,
πορευόμενοι (poreuomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die.

they are choked
συμπνίγονται (sympnigontai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4846: To choke utterly, as weeds do plants; I crowd upon. From sun and pnigo; to strangle completely, i.e. to drown, or to crowd.

by
ὑπὸ (hypo)
Preposition
Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).

[the] worries,
μεριμνῶν (merimnōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3308: Care, worry, anxiety. From merizo; solicitude.

riches,
πλούτου (ploutou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4149: From the base of pletho; wealth, i.e. money, possessions, or abundance, richness, valuable bestowment.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

pleasures
ἡδονῶν (hēdonōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 2237: From handano; sensual delight; by implication, desire.

of [this]
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

life,
βίου (biou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 979: A primary word; life, i.e. the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

their fruit does not mature.
τελεσφοροῦσιν (telesphorousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5052: To bring to maturity. From a compound of telos and phero; to be a bearer to completion, i.e. To ripen fruit.

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NT Gospels: Luke 8:14 That which fell among the thorns these (Luke Lu Lk)