Luke 8:1-18 : Easy-to-Read Version  | SearchSearch | Next Version | Previous Page | Next Page |

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The Group with Jesus

8 1The next day, Jesus traveled through some cities and small towns. Jesus told the people a message from God, the Good News about God's kingdom. The twelve apostles* were with him. 2There were also some women with him. Jesus had healed these women of sicknesses and evil spirits [from the devil]. One of the women was named Mary. She was from a town called Magdala. Seven demons had come out of her. 3Also with these women were: Joanna, the wife of Chuza (Herod's* helper), Suzanna, and many other women. These women used their own money to help Jesus and his apostles.

Jesus Uses a Story About Planting Seed

4Many people came together. People came to Jesus from every town. Jesus told the people this story: 5"A farmer went out to plant his seed. While the farmer was planting, some seed fell beside the road. People walked on the seed, and the birds ate all this seed. 6Some seed fell on rock. This seed began to grow, but then died because the seed had no water. 7Some seed fell among thorny weeds. This seed grew, but later the weeds stopped the good plants from growing. 8And some seed fell on good ground. This seed grew and made 100 times more grain." Jesus finished the story. Then Jesus said, "You people that hear me, listen!" 9Jesus' followers asked him, "What does this story mean?" 10Jesus said, "You have been chosen to know the secrets of the kingdom of God. But I use stories to speak to other people. I do this so that: 'They will look, but they will not see; and they will listen, but they will not understand.' Isaiah 6:9

Jesus Explains the Story About the Seed

11"This is what the story means: The seed is God's teaching. 12What is the seed that fell beside the path? That is like the people that hear God's teaching, but then the devil comes and takes the teaching away from their hearts. So those people cannot believe the teaching and be saved. 13What is the seed that fell on rock? That is like the people that hear God's teaching and accept it gladly. But these people don't have deep roots. They believe for a while. But then trouble comes. They stop believing and turn away from God. 14What is the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That is like the people that hear God's teaching, but they let the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life stop them from growing. So they never make good fruit.* 15And what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That is like the people that hear God's teaching with a good, honest heart. They obey God's teaching and patiently make good fruit.

Use the Understanding You Have

16"No person lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. Instead, that person puts the lamp on a lamp table so that the people that come in will have enough light to see. 17Everything that is hidden will become clear. Every secret thing will be made known. 18So be careful how you listen. The person that has [some understanding] will receive more. But the person that does not have [understanding] will lose even [the understanding] that he thinks he has."

apostles The men Jesus chose to be his special helpers. Herod Herod Antipas, Tetrarch (ruler) of Galilee and Perea, son of Herod the Great. make good fruit Do the things God wants his people to do.

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