Study Desk

Soon afterward, ^(F1)Jesus began going around from one city and village to another, ^(C1)proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him,

and also ^(C1)some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: ^(C2)Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

and Joanna the wife of Chuza, ^(C1)Herod's ^(C2)steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

^(C1)Now when a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:

"The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

"Other seed fell on rocky soil, and when it came up, it withered away because it had no moisture.

"Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out.

"And yet other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as much." As He said these things, He would call out, "^(C1)The one who has ears to hear, ^(F1)let him hear."

^(C1)Now His disciples began asking Him what this parable ^(F1)meant.

And He said, "^(C1)To you it has been granted to know the ^(F1)mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest they are told in parables, so that ^(F2)(C2)while seeing they may not see, and ^(F3)while hearing they may not understand.

"Now this is the parable: ^(C1)the seed is the word of God.

"And those beside the road are the ones who have heard, then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.

"Those on the rocky soil are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and yet these do not have a firm root; ^(F1)they believe for a while, and in a time of temptation they ^(F2)fall away.

"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.

"But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word ^(F1)with a good and virtuous heart, and hold it firmly, and produce fruit with ^(F2)perseverance.

"Now ^(C1)no one lights a lamp and covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see the light.

"^(C1)For nothing is concealed that will not become evident, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

"So take care how you listen; ^(C1)for whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he ^(F1)thinks he has will be taken away from him."

^(C1)Now His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.

And it was reported to Him, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You."

But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these ^(C1)who hear the word of God and do it."

^(C1)Now on one of those days ^(F1)Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let's cross over to the other side of ^(C2)the lake." So they launched out.

But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on ^(C1)the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

They came up to Jesus and woke Him, saying, "^(C1)Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and ^(C2)rebuked the wind and the surging ^(F1)waves, and they stopped, and ^(F2)it became calm.

And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" But they were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"