New International VersionSome fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
New Living TranslationOther seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.
English Standard VersionOther 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 BibleSome fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.
Berean Literal BibleAnd 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 BibleSome 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 VersionSome 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 BibleOthers 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 BibleAnd 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 BibleOther 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 BibleOther 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 BibleOthers fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil, and they sprang up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep.
American Standard Versionand 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 VersionOther seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn't very deep.
English Revised Versionand 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® TranslationOther seeds were planted on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The plants sprouted quickly because the soil wasn't deep.
Good News TranslationSome of it fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The seeds soon sprouted, because the soil wasn't deep.
International Standard VersionOther seeds fell on stony ground, where they did not have a lot of soil. They sprouted at once because the soil wasn't deep.
NET BibleOther 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 BibleAnd 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 TranslationSome fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
Weymouth New TestamentSome falls on rocky ground, where it has but scanty soil. It quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth of earth; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSome fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.
World English BibleOthers 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 Versionand 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 BibleAnd 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 TranslationAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 VersionThen 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 BibleSome fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
New Revised Standard VersionOther 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 BibleOther 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 EnglishAnd 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 TestamentOthers fell on stony places, where they had not much earth; and they immediately sprung up, because they had no depth of earth.
Godbey New TestamentAnd 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 stonyplaces, where they had not much earth; and they soon sprung upindeed, 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. 5Somefellonrocky ground,whereit did not havemuchsoil.It sprang upquicklybecausethe soilwasshallow.6But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.…
Cross References Mark 4:5-6Some 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 8:6Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture.
Isaiah 5:1-2I 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 17:8-10It 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 10:12Sow 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 4:3For 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 1:3-4He 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 15:6If 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 6:7-8For 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 1:11For 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 1:24For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
Isaiah 40:7-8The 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 8:11-13Does 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 19:26Therefore 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 37:27Therefore 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. Jump to Previous DepthEarthFallsFellForthwithGroundImmediatelyItselfOthersPlacesQuicklyRockyScantySeedSeedsShallowShowsSoilSprangSprungStonesStonyStraightJump to Next DepthEarthFallsFellForthwithGroundImmediatelyItselfOthersPlacesQuicklyRockyScantySeedSeedsShallowShowsSoilSprangSprungStonesStonyStraightMatthew 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 groundThis phrase refers to the seed sown by the sower in Jesus' parable. The "rocky ground" symbolizes a heart that initially receives the word with joy but lacks depth. In the geographical context of Israel, much of the land is rocky, with a thin layer of soil over limestone. 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 superficial faith that lacks a firm foundation, as seen in James 1:6-8, where a double-minded person is unstable. where it did not have much soil
The lack of soil represents a lack of depth in spiritual understanding or commitment. In the cultural context, soil is often a metaphor for the heart's receptivity to God's word. The Old Testament frequently uses agricultural imagery to describe spiritual truths, such as inHosea 10:12, where breaking up fallow ground is a call to repentance and preparation for receiving God's blessings. This phrase highlights the importance of a prepared heart to nurture and sustain faith. It sprang up quickly
The quick growth signifies an immediate, enthusiastic response to the gospel. Historically, this can be seen in the initial excitement of new believers who may not have counted the cost of discipleship, as warned inLuke 14:28-33. The rapid growth without depth is a warning against emotionalism that lacks true conversion. This is reminiscent of the Israelites' quick commitment to God at Mount Sinai, which was soon followed by rebellion (Exodus 24:3, 32:1-6). because the soil was shallow
Shallow soil indicates a lack of depth in spiritual life, leading to a faith that cannot withstand trials. This is a call to develop a deep-rooted faith, as emphasized inColossians 2:6-7, where believers are urged to be rooted and built up in Christ. The shallow soil serves as a warning against a superficial relationship with God, which is unable to endure persecution or hardship, as further explained inMatthew 13:20-21. Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is the one teaching the parable of the sower, which includes the verse in question. 2. The SowerA symbolic figure in the parable representing those who spread the Word of God. 3. Rocky GroundA metaphorical place in the parable where some seeds fall, representing those who hear the Word and initially receive it with joy but have no root. 4. SeedsSymbolize the Word of God being spread among different types of hearers. 5. The CrowdThe audience to whom Jesus is speaking, representing a diverse group of hearers with varying receptiveness to His message. Teaching Points The Importance of Deep RootsJust as plants need deep roots to survive, Christians need a deep, personal relationship with Christ to withstand trials and temptations. Joyful Reception vs. Lasting FaithInitial enthusiasm for the Gospel is not enough; true faith requires perseverance and depth. The Role of TrialsTrials reveal the depth of our faith. Shallow faith may falter, but deep-rooted faith will endure. Cultivating Good SoilBelievers should strive to cultivate their hearts to be receptive and nurturing to the Word of God, allowing it to take deep root. Community and AccountabilityBeing part of a faith community can help believers develop deeper roots through encouragement, teaching, and accountability. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 13:5?
2.How can we prevent our faith from being like "rocky places" in Matthew 13:5?
3.What causes faith to wither quickly, as described in Matthew 13:5?
4.How does Matthew 13:5 relate to the parable of the sower's message?
5.What steps can strengthen our spiritual roots to endure trials?
6.How can we help others avoid a shallow faith like in Matthew 13:5?
7.What does Matthew 13:5 reveal about the nature of faith in challenging environments?
8.How does the rocky soil in Matthew 13:5 symbolize spiritual shallowness?
9.Why does Jesus use agricultural imagery in Matthew 13:5 to convey spiritual truths?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 13?
11.Why do missionary efforts fail in some regions if Christianity is the true religion?
12.Why do religious wars contradict a God of peace?
13.What is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church?
14.In Job 5:3, how could a fool suddenly flourish only to be cursed, and does this reflect any historical or archeological anomaly?What Does Matthew 13:5 Mean Some fell on rocky groundJesus places this detail early in the parable to alert us that not every heart is ready for lasting growth. The rocky ground is real terrain in Galilee, just as the human heart can be an actual mixture of interest and resistance. •Matthew 13:20-21 clarifies that this soil pictures those who “hear the word and at once receive it with joy.” •Mark 4:5 andLuke 8:6 repeat the same image, reinforcing its importance in all three Synoptic Gospels. •Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to “guard your heart,” because what lands there determines fruitfulness. The seed—the pure, life-giving Word of God—has no defect; the problem lies in the ground on which it lands.
where it did not have much soilA thin layer of earth covers limestone bedrock in many fields of Israel. Spiritually, this points to a shallow reception of truth: •Psalm 1:2-3 contrasts the rooted, well-watered tree with the chaff, helping us see the need for depth. •James 1:21 urges believers to “receive with humility the implanted word,” implying more than surface agreement. A heart that is only superficially turned toward God may appear ready, yet lacks the depth needed for endurance.
It sprang up quicklyImmediate growth can look impressive: •Galatians 5:7 speaks of believers who “were running well” yet later faltered. •2 Kings 19:26 describes grass on rooftops that “springs up” but withers under the first heat—an apt visual parallel. Speed is never a substitute for stability. Genuine discipleship often begins invisibly, like roots reaching downward long before shoots reach upward.
because the soil was shallowJesus pinpoints the cause: insufficient depth. When persecution or trouble comes, the plant withers “because it has no root” (Matthew 13:21). •Ephesians 3:17-18 prays that we be “rooted and grounded in love,” highlighting what shallow soil lacks. •Colossians 2:6-7 commands us to be “rooted and built up in Him,” securing believers against spiritual drought. Without repentance that breaks up hard places and faith that presses deep into God’s promises, quick enthusiasm will die out.
summaryMatthew 13:5 illustrates a heart that is eager yet undeveloped. The seed is perfect, the shoot genuine, but the shallow ground limits lasting fruit. Depth comes through repentance, obedient trust, and ongoing fellowship with Christ, ensuring that what starts with joy will endure under trial and yield an abundant harvest. (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 stonyplaces; 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 SomeἌλλα(Alla)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 243:Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.fellἔπεσεν(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.onἐπὶ(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.whereὅπου(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 haveεἶχεν(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.muchπολλήν(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 upἐξανέτειλεν(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.becauseδιὰ(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.the soilγῆς(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.wasἔχειν(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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NT Gospels: Matthew 13:5 Others fell on rocky ground where they (Matt. Mat Mt) |
