But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

MATTHEW 13:20KJV
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Matthew 13:20 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:20 mean?

Matthew 13:20 describes a person who hears the message about God (the "word") and quickly receives it with joy, but this happens in a shallow way because the message falls on "stony places"—ground that cannot support deep roots. This verse is part of Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower, showing how some people respond to spiritual truth with enthusiasm at first, but without lasting depth.

In this passage, Jesus is speaking to a crowd, but here he is explaining the parable privately to his disciples. The "seed" represents the message about God’s kingdom, and the "stony places" are people whose hearts are not prepared to let the message take root deeply. The verse highlights the initial excitement some feel when hearing spiritual truth, but also hints that this reaction may not last if there is no foundation.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:20

  • λόγον (logon) — "word": This Greek word means "message" or "teaching." Here, it refers to the message about God’s kingdom, emphasizing that what is received is not just any word, but a specific spiritual message.
  • μετὰ χαρᾶς (meta charas) — "with joy": This phrase means that the person receives the message with gladness or excitement. The emphasis is on the emotional, positive reaction, which is genuine but may be shallow.
  • εὐθέως (eutheōs) — "anon": This word means "immediately" or "at once." It shows that the response is quick, without hesitation, but also suggests a lack of careful consideration or depth.

Why Matthew 13:20 matters

  • Matthew 13:20 helps clarify that an enthusiastic response to spiritual truth does not always mean lasting change or deep understanding; the initial joy can be genuine but short-lived if there is no depth.
  • This verse connects to the wider parable by showing one of several ways people can respond to God’s message, helping readers see that not all positive reactions are rooted in lasting commitment.
  • The verse warns against confusing emotional excitement with true spiritual growth, encouraging readers to consider what it means for the message to take root deeply in their lives.