Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:7

What does Matthew 13:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:7 means

Here seeds fall among thorns that grow up and choke the plants. Symbolically, this refers to those who hear the word but are consumed by cares, riches, and worldly desires. The thorns represent distractions and competing loyalties that stifle spiritual growth. The image warns that moral and spiritual drift often looks like slow suffocation rather than sudden failure. It teaches that persistent preoccupation with earthly concerns can render the gospel unfruitful in a person’s life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And some seeds went among thorns, and the thorns came up and they had no room for growth:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and others fell upon the thorns, and the thorns did come up and choke them,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And others fell among thorns: and the thorns grew up and choked them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and others fell upon the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them;

Context

This third outcome complements the previous two by showing another reason the seed fails to flourish. After the quick theft and the shallow rooting, the thorns demonstrate gradual decline. The next verse will present the positive contrast: the fruitful soil that receives and multiplies the seed.

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

v.7This passage

v.8and others fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 13:22

    And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

  • Genesis 3:18

    thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

  • Mark 4:18

    And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word,

  • Jeremiah 4:3

    For thus saith Jehovah to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

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