And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stoney places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:3—9) KJV
“And some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:” —These are those who shall hear the Gospel and immediately reject it. They will behave like birds and pick apart the truths that have been revealed to us in the Bible. They will conclude that it is all nonsense and claim that the “old wine is better,” their misguided views and misunderstanding of the Gospel is better, and this “new doctrine” is ridiculous.
“Some fell upon stoney places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.” —These are those who immediately believe the Gospel message, but because they do not follow up with rigorous Bible study in order to confirm and expand on the truths that they have believed, they are unable to stand when they are questioned, and when they are ridiculed for their beliefs, they wither away.
“And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:” —These are those who believe the Gospel message, but are unwilling to make the necessary changes in their lives, and they lose site of the goal. They fall prey to, and become entangled in the cares of this world. Their desires for riches and the things that distract, and that are contrary to the Gospel of God, choke the seed that has been implanted in them.
“But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.” —These are those who believe the Gospel and out of a pure and contrite heart pursue the Gospel with all their mind and body, reject this world and are counted worthy to enter into the Kingdom of God.