Luke 8:6
New International Version
Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.

New Living Translation
Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture.

English Standard Version
And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

Berean Standard Bible
Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture.

Berean Literal Bible
And other fell upon the rock, and having sprung up it withered through having no moisture.

King James Bible
And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

New King James Version
Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.

New American Standard Bible
Other seed fell on rocky soil, and when it came up, it withered away because it had no moisture.

NASB 1995
“Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

NASB 1977
“And other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

Legacy Standard Bible
And other seed fell on rock and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

Amplified Bible
And some seed fell on [shallow soil covering] the rocks, and as soon as it sprouted, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

Christian Standard Bible
Other seed fell on the rock; when it grew up, it withered away, since it lacked moisture.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Other seed fell on the rock; when it sprang up, it withered, since it lacked moisture.

American Standard Version
And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

Contemporary English Version
Other seeds fell on rocky ground and started growing. But the plants did not have enough water and soon dried up.

English Revised Version
And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Others were planted on rocky soil. When the plants came up, they withered because they had no moisture.

Good News Translation
Some of it fell on rocky ground, and when the plants sprouted, they dried up because the soil had no moisture.

International Standard Version
Others fell on stony ground, and as soon as they came up, they dried up because they had no moisture.

Majority Standard Bible
Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture.

NET Bible
Other seed fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture.

New Heart English Bible
Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

Webster's Bible Translation
And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered, because it lacked moisture.

Weymouth New Testament
Another part drops upon the rock, and after growing up it withers away for want of moisture.

World English Bible
Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And other fell on the rock, and having sprung up, it withered, through having no moisture.

Berean Literal Bible
And other fell upon the rock, and having sprung up it withered through having no moisture.

Young's Literal Translation
'And other fell upon the rock, and having sprung up, it did wither, through not having moisture.

Smith's Literal Translation
And other fell upon a rock; and having brought forth, was dried up, for it had no moisture.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And other some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And some fell upon rock; and having sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

New American Bible
Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture.

New Revised Standard Version
Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Other fell upon the rock; and sprung up earlier, and because it had no moisture, it dried up.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And other seed fell on the rock and in an hour it sprang up, and because there was no moisture for it, it dried up.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And some fell upon the rock; and when it had sprung up, it withered, because it had no moisture.

Godbey New Testament
And other fell on the rock; and springing up, withered away, because it had no moisture.

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

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

Weymouth New Testament
Another part drops upon the rock, and after growing up it withers away for want of moisture.

Worrell New Testament
And another fell upon the rock; and, springing up, it was withered because of not having moisture.

Worsley New Testament
And some fell upon stony ground, and as soon as it sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Sower
5“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings.…

Cross References
Matthew 13:5-6
Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. / But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

Mark 4:5-6
Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. / But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

Isaiah 5:1-2
I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour!

Jeremiah 4:3
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.

Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.

Ezekiel 17:8
It had been planted in good soil by abundant waters in order to yield branches and bear fruit and become a splendid vine.’

Psalm 1:3-4
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. / Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind.

Psalm 92:12-14
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. / Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. / In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,

John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

Hebrews 6:7-8
For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. / But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.

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.

1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

2 Kings 19:26
Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown.

Job 8:11-13
Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water? / While the shoots are still uncut, they dry up more quickly than grass. / Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish.

Isaiah 40:7-8
The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”


Treasury of Scripture

And some fell on a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

Luke 8:13
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Jeremiah 5:3
O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

Ezekiel 11:19
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

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Air Birds Dead Dried Dry Falls Fell Goes Grew Lacked Moisture Peck Plants Rock Rocky Seed Soil Soon Sow Sower Sows Sprung Trodden Water Way-Side Wither Withered
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Air Birds Dead Dried Dry Falls Fell Goes Grew Lacked Moisture Peck Plants Rock Rocky Seed Soil Soon Sow Sower Sows Sprung Trodden Water Way-Side Wither Withered
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.














Some fell on rocky ground
In the parable of the sower, the rocky ground represents a heart that initially receives the word with joy but lacks depth. The rocky soil is symbolic of a superficial faith that does not allow the word to take root. In the geographical context of Israel, much of the land is rocky, with a thin layer of soil over limestone, making it difficult for plants to establish deep roots. This imagery would have been familiar to Jesus' audience, who understood the challenges of farming in such terrain. Biblically, this can be connected to the Israelites' repeated struggles with faithfulness, as seen in their history of turning away from God despite initial enthusiasm (e.g., Exodus 32:1-6).

and when it came up
The phrase indicates the initial growth of the seed, symbolizing the immediate response to the gospel message. This reflects the initial excitement and acceptance of the word, akin to the Israelites' initial acceptance of God's covenant at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:3). However, this growth is superficial, lacking the necessary depth to sustain it. This can be compared to the temporary faith of those who followed Jesus for miracles but fell away when faced with His challenging teachings (John 6:66).

the seedlings withered
The withering of the seedlings represents the failure of faith to endure trials and tribulations. In the cultural context, withering plants would be a common sight in the arid climate of the Middle East, where water is scarce. This imagery is used to illustrate the fragility of a faith that is not deeply rooted. Theologically, this can be linked to the testing of faith described in James 1:2-4, where perseverance is necessary for spiritual maturity.

because they had no moisture
The lack of moisture signifies the absence of the Holy Spirit's sustaining power in a believer's life. In biblical symbolism, water often represents the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). Without the Spirit's nourishment, faith cannot thrive. This highlights the importance of a personal relationship with God and reliance on the Holy Spirit for spiritual growth and endurance. The prophetic imagery of dry bones coming to life in Ezekiel 37:1-14 underscores the necessity of the Spirit's life-giving presence.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The speaker of the parable, teaching the crowd about the Kingdom of God through the Parable of the Sower.

2. The Sower
Represents those who spread the Word of God.

3. The Seed
Symbolizes the Word of God.

4. Rocky Ground
Represents the hearts of those who receive the Word with joy but have no root.

5. The Seedlings
Illustrate the initial growth of faith that withers due to lack of depth and moisture.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Deep Roots
True faith requires depth and perseverance. Without a strong foundation in Christ, faith can wither under pressure.

The Role of Trials in Faith
Trials test the strength of our faith. Like the seedlings on rocky ground, faith without depth will falter when challenges arise.

Nurturing Our Spiritual Life
Just as plants need water, our spiritual lives require regular nourishment through prayer, scripture, and fellowship.

Joy in Receiving the Word
Initial joy in receiving the Word is important, but it must be accompanied by a commitment to grow and mature in faith.

Guarding Against Superficial Faith
We must be vigilant against a superficial faith that is easily swayed by external circumstances.(6) Upon a rock.--Better, upon the rock. Note here also the use of a more accurate word than the "stony (or rocky) ground" of the other two reports, and the statement that it withered "because it lacked moisture." This is obviously not without its force in the spiritual interpretation of the parable, the "moisture" being the dew and rain of God's grace, without which the seed could not put forth its roots. This represents one aspect of what was lacking, as the having "no depth of earth "represents another.

Verse 6. - And some fell upon a rock. The picture here is not of a soil full of stones, but of a rocky portion of the corn-land where the rock is only covered with a thin layer of earth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Other [seed]
ἕτερον (heteron)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2087: (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.

fell
κατέπεσεν (katepesen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2667: To fall down, fall prostrate. From kata and pipto; to fall down.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

rocky ground,
πέτραν (petran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4073: A rock, ledge, cliff, cave, stony ground. Feminine of the same as Petros; a rock.

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

when it came up,
φυὲν (phyen)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5453: To grow, grow up, spring up.

[the seedlings] withered
ἐξηράνθη (exēranthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3583: To dry up, parch, be ripened, wither, waste away. From xeros; to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature.

because
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

they had
ἔχειν (echein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

no
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

moisture.
ἰκμάδα (ikmada)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2429: Moisture. Of uncertain affinity; dampness.


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NT Gospels: Luke 8:6 Other seed fell on the rock (Luke Lu Lk)
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