Luke 8 13

Luke 8:13 kjv

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Luke 8:13 nkjv

But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

Luke 8:13 niv

Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

Luke 8:13 esv

And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.

Luke 8:13 nlt

The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 13 Meaning

Luke 8:13 describes those who initially receive the word of God with enthusiasm and joy but lack the necessary spiritual depth and endurance. Their belief is superficial and temporary, lasting only until difficult times or temptations arise, at which point they abandon their faith. This group represents hearers whose commitment is not rooted deeply, making them vulnerable to trials and adversity, ultimately failing to persevere.

Luke 8 13 Context

Luke 8:13 is part of Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Sower (or Soils), found in Luke 8:4-15. Jesus had just shared this parable with a large crowd (Lk 8:4). Following the parable, His disciples asked Him for its meaning (Lk 8:9). Jesus explained that the parable's purpose was to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of God to them, while others (those outside the discipleship) would hear in parables "so that seeing they may not perceive, and hearing they may not understand" (Lk 8:10). This specific verse focuses on the "rocky ground" hearers, the second of four types of soil/hearers described by Jesus.

Historically, thin layers of soil over bedrock were common in parts of Galilee, where Jesus often taught. This agricultural reality made the parable highly relatable. The cultural context implies that genuine spiritual transformation goes beyond an emotional reaction to the message. It highlights that the reception of the "word" has varying outcomes depending on the condition of the hearer's heart. It also subtly critiques superficial religious adherence or enthusiasm that lacks true internal commitment or understanding of the costs of discipleship, which might have been observed among some of the religious groups of Jesus' day who valued outward show more than inward devotion.

Luke 8 13 Word analysis

• But the ones on the rock: Greek: Ho d' epi tēs petras. Petras (rock) refers to solid bedrock, not just loose stones. It signifies an impenetrable, shallow foundation. It directly contrasts with good soil and emphasizes an underlying spiritual hardness or lack of depth.
• are those who, when they hear: Greek: houtoi hotan akousōsin. This refers to initial auditory reception. Hearing is the prerequisite, but not sufficient.
• receive the word with joy: Greek: meta charas dechontai ton logon.
  • receive: dechontai. Implies a willing, even welcoming acceptance, not just passive hearing. They take it to themselves.
  • joy: charas. Denotes gladness, delight, a positive emotional response. This is a real, though transient, feeling. It suggests an initial attraction to the benefits or emotional appeal of the message.
  • the word: ton logon. Refers to the message of the kingdom of God, the gospel, the teaching of Jesus. It is the seed itself.
• and these have no root: Greek: kai rhizan ouk echousin.
  • no root: ouk echousin rhizan. This is the core issue. Root (rhizan) metaphorically represents spiritual depth, a source of life and nourishment, inner strength, and steadfast commitment. Without it, growth is impossible. It signifies a lack of genuine, deep connection to the word.
• who believe for a while: Greek: hoi pros kairon pisteuousin.
  • believe: pisteuousin. In this context, it suggests intellectual assent or an initial, superficial trust, rather than a transformative, enduring faith that leads to true discipleship and obedience. It's a "belief" that isn't connected to a changed heart or lasting commitment.
  • for a while: pros kairon. Lit. "for a season" or "for a time." This emphasizes the temporary nature of their "belief" or adherence. It’s time-bound and contingent on circumstances.
• and in time of temptation fall away: Greek: kai en kairō peirasmou aphistantai.
  • in time of temptation: en kairō peirasmou. Peirasmou can mean testing, trial, or temptation. Here, it encompasses any adverse circumstance, persecution, or difficult situation that challenges their adherence to the word. This is the moment of crisis for superficial faith.
  • fall away: aphistantai. To withdraw from, to depart, to apostatize. It means they renounce their previous association or commitment to the word or Christ. It’s a complete abandonment due to external pressure or internal weakness.

Luke 8 13 Bonus section

The concept of "root" is fundamental here. In biblical imagery, a deep root signifies stability, life, sustenance, and ability to endure adverse conditions (e.g., Psa 1, Jer 17). The lack of root points to an absence of internal spiritual resources, such as true conversion, the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, or a deep grounding in the character of God, which would enable perseverance. The peirasmos (temptation/trial) is not just random bad luck but serves as a test that uncovers the true nature of their initial "belief." The "fall away" (aphistantai) signifies a decisive and definitive departure, distinguishing this group from those who might waver but eventually return. This verse implicitly teaches that genuine salvation is not merely an emotional assent but includes a transformative work that produces enduring fruit, enabling a believer to stand firm through adversity.

Luke 8 13 Commentary

Luke 8:13 profoundly illustrates the peril of superficiality in spiritual matters. The "rocky ground" hearers represent those whose initial embrace of God's word is marked by immediate joy and enthusiasm. This positive emotional reception is genuine in its own right, highlighting that not all joyful responses lead to true, enduring faith. Their core problem is not an intellectual rejection of the word, but a lack of depth – metaphorically, they have no root. This absence of root signifies an internal spiritual void, a failure to allow the word to truly penetrate and transform their inner being. Their "belief for a while" indicates a temporary adherence, conditional on the absence of difficulty. When trials, persecutions, or temptations (peirasmos) arise, which are inevitable in the Christian walk, their shallow faith cannot sustain them. These pressures act as a sifter, revealing the true condition of the heart, leading them to "fall away" or apostatize. This verse serves as a crucial warning that outward profession and initial zeal must be accompanied by a hidden, foundational depth of commitment and reliance on God's truth to withstand the inevitable storms of life.