Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:5

What does Matthew 13:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:5 means

In verse 5 seeds fall on rocky ground where little soil exists; they spring up quickly because the soil is shallow. This depicts hearers who initially receive the word with enthusiasm and outward change but lack depth. Rapid growth without roots produces a fragile faith. The verse warns that superficial responses to the gospel—emotionally strong but shallow—cannot sustain when trials come. It underscores the need for deep grounding in Christ and doctrine, not merely an initial emotional reaction.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And some of the seed went among the stones, where it had not much earth, and straight away it came up because the earth was not deep:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and others fell upon the rocky places where they had not much earth, and immediately they sprang up out of [the ground] because of not having [any] depth of earth,

Context

This is the second soil type in the Sower parable, contrasting with the roadside case. It prepares the reader to recognize various stages of receptivity. Immediately following are the challenges that test rootless faith, which the next verse explains, showing the parable’s progression from reception to endurance.

v.4and as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them:

v.5This passage

v.6and when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 13:20

    And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it;

  • 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 a heart of flesh.

  • 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 a heart of flesh;

  • Amos 6:12

    Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plowtherewith oxen? that ye have turned justice into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood;

  • Zechariah 7:12

    Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which Jehovah of hosts had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets: therefore there came great wrath from Jehovah of hosts.

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