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.

Where else these words appear

“places” Greek G4075 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
  • Mark 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
  • Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

“anon” Greek G2117 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  • Mark 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
  • John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

“seed” Greek G4687 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Matthew 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
  • Luke 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

“joy” Greek G5479 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
  • John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
  • Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.