Luke 8:13
What does Luke 8:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 8:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 8:13 means
Luke 8:13 explains the rocky-ground hearers: they receive the word with joy but lack root, so they believe for a time yet fall away when tempted. The verse diagnoses transient faith that delights in immediate blessing but lacks depth and endurance. It calls attention to the role of testing (“time of temptation”) in exposing where faith is truly rooted. The passage urges those who experience initial joy to pursue root—obedience, prayer, and spiritual formation—so that their faith persists under trial.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
KJV
King James Version · 1611They 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And those on the rock are those who with joy give hearing to the word; but having no root, they have faith for a time, and when the test comes they give up.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And those upon the rock: They who, when they may hear, with joy do receive the word, and these have no root, who for a time believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now they upon the rock are they who when they hear receive the word with joy: and these have no roots: for they believe for a while and in time of temptation they fall away.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But those upon the rock, those who when they hear receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a time, and in time of trial fall away.
Context
This interpretation follows the path-soil and clarifies the second failure mode in the parable. It contrasts outward enthusiasm with hidden fragility and sets up the third case (thorns) that blames competing loves. The flow underscores Jesus’ pastoral concern for durable faith among his followers.
v.12And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.
v.13This passage
v.14And 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 2:23
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did.
- John 12:42
Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
- Luke 22:31
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:
- Mark 4:16
And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy;
- Isaiah 58:2
Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways: as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near unto God.
- Galatians 3:1
O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?
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