Matthew 13 22

Matthew 13:22 kjv

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Matthew 13:22 nkjv

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Matthew 13:22 niv

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Matthew 13:22 esv

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Matthew 13:22 nlt

The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.

Matthew 13 verses

Matthew 13 22 Meaning

This verse, part of Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Sower, describes the condition of a person whose reception of God's Word is stifled by competing worldly priorities. Such an individual hears the message of the Kingdom of God, but spiritual growth and genuine fruitfulness are inhibited because their heart and attention are consumed by the anxieties and distractions of life and the deceptive allure of material wealth. The "word" fails to take deep root or is choked before it can produce lasting spiritual transformation.

Matthew 13 22 Context

Matthew chapter 13 focuses on Jesus' teaching in parables concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. The Parable of the Sower (or Soils, Mat 13:3-9) describes different ways people receive the "word of the kingdom." After telling the parable, Jesus explains why he uses parables (Mat 13:10-17) and then provides a detailed explanation of the Parable of the Sower to his disciples (Mat 13:18-23). Verse 22 specifically elaborates on the seed that falls "among thorns" (Mat 13:7), identifying what these "thorns" represent and their detrimental effect. The parable, set against an agricultural backdrop familiar to the original Galilean audience, underscores that simply hearing the word is not enough; the condition of the "soil" (the heart) and its capacity to sustain spiritual growth are paramount.

Matthew 13 22 Word analysis

• He also who received seed: In Greek, ho de sparmenos (ὁ δὲ σπαρμένος), meaning "the one having been sown." This is a participle used as a noun, literally referring to "the sown one." This unusual phrasing highlights that the person themselves has, in a sense, been affected or characterized by the "sowing" of the word, linking them intrinsically to the seed's environment. It underscores the personal reception of the word.
• among the thorns: In Greek, eis tas akanthas (εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας). Akantha refers to thorny plants, thistles, or weeds. These are aggressive plants that absorb water and nutrients, outcompete desirable crops for sunlight, and can make cultivation difficult or impossible. Symbolically, they represent forces or desires that strangle spiritual life and productivity.
• is he who hears the word: houtos estin ho ton logon akouon (οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τὸν λόγος ἀκούων). This explicitly identifies the "sown one among thorns" as someone who has indeed heard and initially accepted "the word" (ho logos), which signifies the message of the Gospel or the Kingdom of God. The phrase emphasizes the act of hearing.
• and the cares of this world: In Greek, kai hē merimna tou aiōnos toutou (καὶ ἡ μέριμνα τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου).
  • Merimna (μέριμνα): anxiety, worry, troublesome care, distraction. This refers to the consuming concerns and anxieties associated with daily life, sustenance, status, or reputation, which can pull one's focus away from God.
  • Tou aiōnos toutou (τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου): "of this age/world." This contrasts the present temporal and corrupt age with the age to come (God's eternal kingdom), indicating anxieties rooted in the transient realities of human existence.
• and the deceitfulness of riches: In Greek, kai hē apatē tou ploutou (καὶ ἡ ἀπάτη τοῦ πλούτου).
  • Apatē (ἀπάτη): deceit, delusion, trickery, seduction. Riches are "deceitful" because they promise security, happiness, fulfillment, or ultimate value that they cannot deliver. This illusion draws a person away from God as their true source of provision and satisfaction.
  • Tou ploutou (τοῦ πλούτου): "of wealth/riches." The focus is not on wealth itself, which can be neutral, but on the inherent deceptiveness in the pursuit or trust placed in it.
• choke the word: In Greek, sympnigousin ton logon (συμπνίγουσιν τὸν λόγον).
  • Sympnigō (συμπνίγω): to choke, suffocate, stifle completely. This powerful verb literally means "to choke together with" or "to strangle." It vividly portrays how these worldly concerns actively and powerfully suffocate the life out of the spiritual "word," preventing its growth and vitality, much like weeds strangle crops by depriving them of light, water, and nutrients.
• and he becomes unfruitful: In Greek, kai akarpos ginetai (καὶ ἄκαρπος γίνεται).
  • Akarpos (ἄκαρπος): barren, unproductive, without fruit. This is the tragic outcome. Despite hearing the word, the individual fails to produce the expected spiritual fruit, which includes character transformation (Gal 5:22-23), good works (Col 1:10), or spreading the gospel (Rom 7:4). It signifies a lack of genuine, visible evidence of the Word's transformative power in their life.

Words-Group Analysis

• "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches": This pairing specifies the two primary "thorns." They are intrinsically linked, representing materialism and worldly preoccupation. "Cares" refers to anxiety over needs, desires, and the burdens of earthly existence, while "deceitfulness of riches" points to the inherent seductive power of wealth and possessions that promise fulfillment but ultimately betray. Together, they form a powerful gravitational pull away from spiritual realities. These are not necessarily evil in themselves but become detrimental when they consume a person's life and attention, displacing God.
• "choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful": This phrase succinctly describes the destructive spiritual process and its devastating outcome. The active verb "choke" implies a progressive and often unnoticed suffocation of faith. The resulting "unfruitfulness" signifies spiritual barrenness and a life that fails to demonstrate the life-transforming power of the Gospel. It indicates that genuine spiritual life is absent or dead, even if the "hearer" maintains outward religious activity.

Matthew 13 22 Bonus section

• The passive voice of "received seed" (sparmenos) emphasizes that the word is something that comes to the individual, rather than being actively sought initially. However, the subsequent "choking" is a consequence of the hearer's active or passive allowing of these worldly elements.
• The parables of Jesus, particularly the Parable of the Sower, serve not only to reveal truth but also to conceal it from those not truly seeking God. For those who truly desire to understand, the explanation illuminates the spiritual conditions necessary for the Kingdom's growth.
• This verse provides an implicit warning against syncretism or dual allegiances. One cannot truly follow Christ while also being fully captivated by the anxieties and lusts of the world. It underlines that faith requires undivided devotion.
• The spiritual barrenness ("unfruitful") implies a lack of genuine discipleship, where the life transformation that Jesus teaches simply isn't manifested. This should prompt believers to regularly examine their hearts for these "thorns" and prayerfully seek to clear them out.

Matthew 13 22 Commentary

Matthew 13:22 presents a sobering reality: receiving God's Word is foundational, but it is not a guarantee of spiritual vitality and fruitfulness if the heart is preoccupied. The 'thorny ground' listener initially responds to the Word, perhaps with enthusiasm, yet the deeper roots never establish due to insidious internal competition. The "cares of this world" encompass the anxieties of daily survival, professional ambition, social standing, and general earthly concerns that absorb mental and emotional energy. The "deceitfulness of riches" points to the alluring lie that material wealth brings ultimate security, happiness, or self-sufficiency. Both act like invasive weeds, not just hindering but actively "choking" (a strong verb implying suffocation) the Word by diverting focus, draining devotion, and ultimately rendering the believer "unfruitful." This means a lack of tangible spiritual growth, Christ-like character, or impactful deeds for the Kingdom. The danger is not overt persecution or misunderstanding, but a slow, gradual compromise where the spiritual priorities are crowded out by worldly affections. It's a call to honest self-examination and consistent spiritual weeding of the heart.