But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it;
received.
Matthew 13:5,6 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: …
anon.
1 Samuel 11:13-15 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel…
2 Chronicles 24:2,6,14 And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest…
Psalm 78:34-37 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God…
is the one who hears the word
Hearing the word signifies exposure to the gospel message. In the Jewish tradition, hearing was closely linked to obedience (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). The emphasis on hearing underscores the importance of receiving the message of Christ. This phrase connects to Romans 10:17, where faith comes from hearing the message of Christ. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of God speaking to His people and the necessity of a responsive heart.
and at once receives it with joy
The immediate reception with joy indicates an emotional response to the gospel. This joy is genuine but not rooted in a deep understanding or commitment. Historically, this reflects the initial excitement seen in new believers or those witnessing miracles, as in John 6:26-27, where the crowd followed Jesus for the signs rather than true faith. The joy here is contrasted with the enduring joy found in a mature faith, as described in James 1:2-4, where trials produce perseverance. This phrase warns of the danger of a shallow faith that does not withstand challenges.
- Jesus uses an everyday image to show how the gospel works. Luke 8:11 reminds us, “The seed is the word of God”.
- A seed contains life packed inside something small. Likewise, the written and preached word may look ordinary, yet 1 Peter 1:23 says we are “born again…through the living and enduring word of God”.
- The seed never lacks power; the issue is always the soil that receives it.
- Sowing pictures deliberate scattering. Mark 4:14 explains, “The farmer sows the word”.
- God’s design is generous proclamation, not selective withholding. Isaiah 55:10-11 promises His word will “not return to Me void.”
- Our role echoes that of Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:6—“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth”.
- Rocky soil has a thin layer of earth over hard stone. It looks promising but lacks depth.
- Hosea 10:12 urges, “Break up your fallow ground,” showing the need for hearts free of hidden hardness.
- These hearers appear receptive, yet beneath the surface lies resistance that will soon be exposed.
- Jesus shifts from illustration to identification: this soil equals a specific type of person.
- Luke 8:13, a parallel verse, clarifies, “Those on rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root”.
- Every listener fits one of the soils; no one is exempt.
- Faith always starts with hearing. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”.
- Simply hearing, however, does not equal lasting transformation. James 1:22 warns against being hearers only.
- The response is immediate. Mark 4:16 notes they “receive it with joy” the moment they hear.
- Quick enthusiasm is not wrong, yet it can mask shallow conviction. Proverbs 19:2 cautions, “Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good”.
- Receiving implies personal appropriation. James 1:21 urges, “Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls”.
- These hearers welcome the message, but acceptance without endurance is incomplete (Hebrews 10:39).
- Joy is a healthy initial emotion. Jeremiah 15:16 testifies, “Your words became to me a joy”.
- Yet lasting joy must withstand pressure. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 shows genuine converts who “welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit despite severe suffering”.
- The rocky-ground hearer’s joy is real but shallow, fading when trials erupt (Matthew 13:21).
Jesus pictures a hearer who eagerly embraces the gospel but without depth of commitment. The seed is flawless, the sower faithful, yet the concealed rock of an unyielded heart prevents roots. Initial joy proves temporary because true faith must endure testing. The passage calls us to cultivate soft, deep soil—breaking up hidden hardness, welcoming the word, and letting it take root so joy remains unshaken when trials come.
(20) Anon with joy receiveth it.--The second type of character stands in marked contrast with the first. Rapid change, strong emotion, a quicker show of conversion than in the case where it is more real.--such results, it need hardly be said, come under the notice of every earnest preacher. In proportion to the tendency of any system--such as the revivalist meetings of one school, the mission services of another--to cause excitement, are those results likely to be frequent.Verse 20. - And anon; and straightway (Revised Version, καὶ εὐθύς).