Secrets of the Kingdom
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings. Matthew 13:7 · Berean Standard Bible
Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the young plants until they could not survive.
This represents a heart that receives God's word but lets other things crowd it out. The competition is too much, and the faith gets smothered.
Jesus continues the parable.
Sometimes faith does not die from opposition -- it gets choked by competing priorities. The thorns of worry, wealth, and distraction can slowly strangle what God planted in your heart.
Seed falls among thorns (akanthas) which grow up (anebasan) and choke (apepnixan) the seedlings, representing the third soil type where competing allegiances suffocate spiritual growth.
In Palestinian agriculture, thorn roots could lie dormant underground, invisible at sowing time. Their subsequent growth outcompeted cultivated plants for nutrients, light, and water.
Jesus continues the sower parable.
The third scenario depicts seed among hidden thorns that eventually overpower the young plants -- a picture of faith choked by competing priorities.
5Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.
6But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings.
8Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.
9He who has ears, let him hear.”
Read all of Matthew 13 — A farmer scatters seed, a woman hides yeast, a merchant finds a pearl. Jesus teaches in parables — and not everyone is meant to understand.
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