Matthew 13:5
New International Version
Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.

New Living Translation
Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.

English Standard Version
Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,

Berean Standard Bible
Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.

Berean Literal Bible
And other fell upon the rocky places where it did not have much soil. And it sprang up immediately, through having no depth of soil.

King James Bible
Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

New King James Version
Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.

New American Standard Bible
Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and they sprang up immediately, because they had no depth of soil.

NASB 1995
“Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.

NASB 1977
“And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.

Legacy Standard Bible
And others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.

Amplified Bible
Other seed fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil; and at once they sprang up because they had no depth of soil.

Christian Standard Bible
Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it grew up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Others fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil, and they sprang up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep.

American Standard Version
and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth:

Contemporary English Version
Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn't very deep.

English Revised Version
and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Other seeds were planted on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The plants sprouted quickly because the soil wasn't deep.

Good News Translation
Some of it fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The seeds soon sprouted, because the soil wasn't deep.

International Standard Version
Other seeds fell on stony ground, where they did not have a lot of soil. They sprouted at once because the soil wasn't deep.

Majority Standard Bible
Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.

NET Bible
Other seeds fell on rocky ground where they did not have much soil. They sprang up quickly because the soil was not deep.

New Heart English Bible
And others fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.

Webster's Bible Translation
Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

Weymouth New Testament
Some falls on rocky ground, where it has but scanty soil. It quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth of earth;

World English Bible
Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and others fell on the rocky places where they did not have much earth, and immediately they sprang forth, through having no depth of earth,

Berean Literal Bible
And other fell upon the rocky places where it did not have much soil. And it sprang up immediately, through having no depth of soil.

Young's Literal Translation
and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth, and immediately they sprang forth, through not having depth of earth,

Smith's Literal Translation
And others fell upon rocky places where it had not much earth, and quickly it sprang forth, for it had no depth of earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And other some fell upon stony ground, where they had not much earth: and they sprung up immediately, because they had no deepness of earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then others fell in a rocky place, where they did not have much soil. And they sprung up promptly, because they had no depth of soil.

New American Bible
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,

New Revised Standard Version
Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Other fell upon the rock, where there was not sufficient soil; and it sprang up earlier because the ground was not deep enough;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And others fell on the rock where there was not much soil, and within the hour it sprouted because there was no depth of soil.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Others fell on stony places, where they had not much earth; and they immediately sprung up, because they had no depth of earth.

Godbey New Testament
And others fell among stones, where they had not much earth: and sprang up immediately, because they had no depth of earth:

Haweis New Testament
and other seed fell on a rocky soil, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

Mace New Testament
another part fell upon stony places, where it had not much earth: and it soon sprung up, because the soil was shallow:

Weymouth New Testament
Some falls on rocky ground, where it has but scanty soil. It quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth of earth;

Worrell New Testament
And others fell on the rocky places, where they had not much earth; and straightway they sprang up, because they had not depth of earth.

Worsley New Testament
some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth; and they soon sprung up indeed, because they had no depth of earth;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Sower
4And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.…

Cross References
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.

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

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!

Ezekiel 17:8-10
It had been planted in good soil by abundant waters in order to yield branches and bear fruit and become a splendid vine.’ / So you are to tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Will it flourish? Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it shrivels? All its foliage will wither! It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by its roots. / Even if it is transplanted, will it flourish? Will it not completely wither when the east wind strikes? It will wither on the bed where it sprouted.’”

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.”

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.

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.

Isaiah 37:27
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.


Treasury of Scripture

Some fell on stony places, where they had not much earth: and immediately they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

Matthew 13:20
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

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:

Ezekiel 36:26
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

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Depth Earth Falls Fell Forthwith Ground Immediately Itself Others Places Quickly Rocky Scanty Seed Seeds Shallow Shows Soil Sprang Sprung Stones Stony Straight
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Depth Earth Falls Fell Forthwith Ground Immediately Itself Others Places Quickly Rocky Scanty Seed Seeds Shallow Shows Soil Sprang Sprung Stones Stony Straight
Matthew 13
1. The parable of the sower and the seed;
18. the explanation of it.
24. The parable of the weeds;
31. of the mustard seed;
33. of the leaven;
36. explanation of the parable of the weeds.
44. The parable of the hidden treasure;
45. of the pearl;
47. of the drag net cast into the sea.
53. Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.














Some fell on rocky ground
This phrase introduces the second type of soil in the Parable of the Sower. The "rocky ground" refers to a type of terrain common in the region of Galilee, where a thin layer of soil covers a bedrock of limestone. In the Greek, "rocky" (πετρώδη) suggests a surface that is not conducive to deep rooting. Spiritually, this represents individuals who initially receive the Word with enthusiasm but lack the depth of commitment necessary for sustained growth. The rocky ground symbolizes a heart that is not fully prepared to embrace the transformative power of the Gospel due to underlying hardness or resistance.

where it did not have much soil
The phrase highlights the inadequacy of the environment for growth. The Greek word for "soil" (γῆ) indicates the earth or ground, emphasizing the necessity of a nurturing environment for the seed to thrive. In a spiritual context, this lack of "much soil" signifies a superficial faith that lacks the depth required for true spiritual maturity. It serves as a cautionary reminder that a shallow understanding or commitment to the Word can lead to a fragile faith that is easily disrupted by trials or temptations.

It sprang up quickly
This phrase describes the initial rapid growth of the seed, which can be misleading. The Greek verb "sprang up" (ἐξανέτειλεν) conveys a sense of immediacy and vigor. This quick growth is often mistaken for genuine spiritual vitality. However, without a solid foundation, such growth is unsustainable. This serves as a metaphor for those who may exhibit an enthusiastic response to the Gospel but lack the perseverance and depth needed to withstand challenges. It is a call to cultivate a faith that is not only fervent but also deeply rooted.

because the soil was shallow
The shallowness of the soil is the critical factor leading to the seed's inability to sustain growth. The Greek word for "shallow" (ὀλιγόβαθος) literally means "little depth." This lack of depth is symbolic of a superficial engagement with the Word of God. In a historical and cultural context, Jesus' audience would have understood the importance of deep roots for plants to survive the arid conditions of the region. Spiritually, this highlights the necessity for believers to develop a profound and enduring relationship with Christ, one that goes beyond surface-level enthusiasm and is anchored in a deep understanding and commitment to His teachings.

(5) Stony places.--Either ground in which stones and pebbles were mingled with the soil, or, more probably, where a thin stratum of earth covered the solid rock. Here, of course, growth was rapid through the very circumstance which was afterwards fatal.

Verse 5. - Some (and others, Revised Version) fell upon stony places; the rocky places (Revised Version). Where the underlying rock was hardly, if at all, covered by soil. Such spots would be common in the fields of Palestine, as in those of all mountainous countries. Where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprang up (ἐξανέτειλεν). They shot up quicker than the thorns in ver. 7 (ἀνέβησαν). Because they had no deepness of earth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Some
Ἄλλα (Alla)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.

fell
ἔπεσεν (epesen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4098: A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.

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

rocky ground,
πετρώδη (petrōdē)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4075: Rocky, stony. From petra and eidos; rock-like, i.e. Rocky.

where
ὅπου (hopou)
Adverb
Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.

they did not have
εἶχεν (eichen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

much
πολλήν (pollēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

soil.
γῆν (gēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

They sprang up
ἐξανέτειλεν (exaneteilen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1816: To rise (spring) up out (of the ground). From ek and anatello; to start up out of the ground, i.e. Germinate.

quickly,
εὐθέως (eutheōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2112: Immediately, soon, at once. Adverb from euthus; directly, i.e. At once or soon.

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

the soil
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

was
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.

shallow.
βάθος (bathos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 899: From the same as bathus; profundity, i.e. extent; mystery.


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