Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:6

What does Matthew 13:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:6 means

Verse 6 explains that when the sun rises the shallow plants are scorched and wither because they had no root. The “sun” likely symbolizes trials, testing, or the heat of opposition that exposes lack of root. This verse clarifies the danger of a faith without perseverance: suffering and persecution reveal whether belief is genuine. It teaches that true discipleship requires root—ongoing nourishment from God—so faith can survive hardship rather than collapse when heat comes.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the sun was high, it was burned; and because it had no root it became dry and dead.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the sun having risen they were scorched, and through not having root, they withered,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when the sun was up they were scorched: and because they had not root, they withered away.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but when the sun rose they were burned up, and because of not having [any] root were dried up;

Context

Following the rocky-soil image, this verse shows the consequence of shallow reception—failure under pressure. It transitions the parable from initial response to the testing that reveals authenticity, setting up the third soil type where other forces cause failure.

v.5and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth:

v.6This passage

v.7And others fell upon the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked them:

Cross references

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

  • Colossians 1:23

    if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.

  • Luke 8:13

    And 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.

  • Isaiah 49:10

    They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water will he guide them.

  • Revelation 7:16

    They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:

  • James 1:11

    For the sun ariseth with the scorching wind, and withereth the grass; and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his goings.

  • Matthew 7:26

    And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand:

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