Matthew 13:6 kjv
And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
Matthew 13:6 nkjv
But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
Matthew 13:6 niv
But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
Matthew 13:6 esv
but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.
Matthew 13:6 nlt
But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep roots, they died.
Matthew 13 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 4:6 | And when the sun was up, it was scorched... because it had no root. | Parallel passage of the sower. |
| Lk 8:6 | ...when it sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. | Parallel passage emphasizing moisture/root. |
| Matt 13:21 | ...tribulation or persecution arises because of the word... stumbles. | Interpretation of the "scorching sun." |
| Psa 1:3 | He is like a tree planted by streams... his leaf does not wither. | Contrast: deep roots provide stability. |
| Psa 1:4 | The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. | Contrast: instability without true foundation. |
| Jer 17:8 | He is like a tree planted by water, that spreads out its roots... | Rootedness in the Lord provides enduring strength. |
| Jas 1:11 | For the sun rises with its scorching heat... flower falls, beauty perishes. | Transience of earthly glory and superficiality. |
| Heb 12:7 | Endure hardship as discipline... | Tribulation is part of the growth process. |
| Rom 5:3-4 | ...tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character... | Perseverance through trials develops character. |
| Lk 8:13 | They believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. | Explicit explanation of temporary belief. |
| Col 2:7 | Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith... | Importance of being deeply rooted in Christ. |
| Eph 3:17 | ...rooted and grounded in love. | Deep spiritual root is found in love. |
| Hos 9:16 | Ephraim is stricken; their root is dried up; they shall bear no fruit. | Absence of fruit due to lack of root. |
| Isa 27:11 | When its boughs are withered, they are broken off; women come and kindle. | Consequences of dried-up, unfruitful branches. |
| Judg 6:6 | ...Israel was brought very low because of Midian... | Hardship leading to quick surrender/weakness. |
| Jn 15:6 | If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away as a branch and withers. | The necessity of abiding in Christ for life. |
| 1 Pet 1:24 | All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass... fades. | Emphasizes the transient nature of external appearances. |
| Rev 2:10 | Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. | Call to enduring faith through suffering. |
| 2 Tim 4:10 | For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me... | Example of someone who did not endure trials. |
| Gal 6:9 | Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap... | Encouragement for sustained effort and patience. |
| Heb 10:36 | For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised. | Endurance is essential to receive promises. |
| Mt 7:24-27 | ...built his house on the rock... on sand... fell. | Parable of foundations, highlighting root/foundation importance. |
| Jude 1:12 | ...autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted. | Description of false teachers who lack spiritual depth. |
Matthew 13 verses
Matthew 13 6 Meaning
This verse describes the immediate consequence for seeds that fell on rocky ground: when the sun rose, they were scorched, and because their roots could not penetrate deeply, they withered away. It illustrates the swift decline of superficial faith or temporary acceptance of the Word, which lacks deep spiritual root and thus cannot withstand the pressures of hardship or opposition.
Matthew 13 6 Context
Matthew 13 records Jesus teaching in parables, primarily about the Kingdom of Heaven. This verse is part of the Parable of the Sower, one of the most foundational and explicitly interpreted parables. Jesus uses this common agricultural scene to illustrate how people respond to the message of the Kingdom of God. The rocky ground, distinct from the path or thorny ground, refers to those who receive the word with initial enthusiasm, but lack the depth necessary for enduring faith. The historical and cultural context of Palestine meant that rocky ground with a thin layer of soil was common, making the image highly relatable to Jesus' audience. The intense, ever-present sun was a vital force for growth but also a harsh destroyer for anything lacking sufficient root and water. This parable implicitly addresses superficial religious adherence, a critique potentially aimed at those who embraced new teachings without true commitment, or perhaps certain elements within the contemporary Jewish leadership or populace who sought immediate benefit rather than profound transformation.
Matthew 13 6 Word analysis
- when: (Gk: hote) - Indicates a specific point in time, emphasizing the immediacy of the subsequent event upon the rising of the sun. This highlights that trials appear not abstractly, but at a particular, impactful moment.
- the sun: (Gk: ho helios) - A literal celestial body, yet symbolic in the context of the parable. It represents tribulation and persecution, as later explained by Jesus himself in verse 21. While beneficial for deeply rooted plants, it scorches the shallow ones, illustrating its dual nature depending on the recipient's spiritual depth.
- was up: (Gk: anetellen) - Imperfect tense, suggesting a rising action or process. The sun's ascendancy brings increased intensity. This implies growing heat and pressure.
- they were scorched: (Gk: ekaumatisthesan) - From kaumazo, meaning "to burn," "scorch," "to be hot." It denotes being severely affected by intense heat, leading to harm or destruction. This is an immediate, devastating effect, signifying rapid and painful spiritual collapse when trials arise.
- and because: (Gk: dia to mê) - Lit. "on account of the not." Establishes a direct causal link between the lack of root and the outcome. It's not just that the sun came, but that their fundamental weakness led to their destruction.
- they had: (Gk: echein) - To possess or hold. Here, in the negative ("not had"), it indicates absence.
- no root: (Gk: rhizan) - The underground part of a plant that anchors it and absorbs nutrients and water. Spiritually, "root" signifies internal depth, firm grounding, spiritual maturity, a deep understanding of the Word, genuine conversion, and sustained spiritual nourishment. The absence of this spiritual root makes faith shallow and temporary.
- they withered away: (Gk: exêranthêsan) - From xērainō, meaning "to dry up," "become parched," "fade." It signifies complete drying out and ultimate death, leaving no possibility for revival. This is the final state of superficial faith that cannot endure.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- when the sun was up, they were scorched;: This phrase emphasizes the swift and detrimental impact of trials and persecution ("the sun") on superficial belief. The intensity of the "scorching" implies a severe test, instantly exposing any lack of true spiritual depth.
- and because they had no root, they withered away. This clause explicitly states the reason for their demise: the absence of a deep, life-sustaining "root." This spiritual lack makes them vulnerable to trials, leading inevitably to their complete spiritual decline, "withering away" and eventual loss of faith or vitality. It highlights the internal cause for external failure.
Matthew 13 6 Bonus section
The "rocky ground" is not necessarily solid rock but often thin layers of soil over bedrock. This detail enhances the visual of the initial quick growth—the soil heats faster—but also explains why deep rooting is impossible. This natural limitation becomes a profound spiritual metaphor: external conditions may seem favorable initially, but internal limitations (a heart not truly prepared or surrendered) will inevitably lead to spiritual demise under trial. The imagery powerfully distinguishes between enthusiasm and true transformation, challenging listeners to examine the actual depth of their own spiritual commitment rather than merely celebrating initial responses.
Matthew 13 6 Commentary
Matthew 13:6, within the Parable of the Sower, vividly illustrates the precarious nature of superficial faith. The seed on rocky ground initially sprouts quickly because the thin layer of soil heats up rapidly, fostering immediate but fragile growth. However, this early promise is fleeting. The fundamental issue is the "no root" condition. Without the capacity to send roots deep for stable anchoring and moisture, the plant cannot draw life from the earth. When the intense sun of tribulation or persecution—the challenges of following Christ—beats down, this shallow growth is swiftly "scorched." This leads directly to "withered away," signifying a complete loss of spiritual vitality, the cessation of faith, or a falling away. The verse thus underscores that true faith requires internal depth and connection, enabling it to withstand external pressures rather than being consumed by them. It's a caution against emotional or transient acceptance of the Gospel that does not result in a transformative commitment and steadfast perseverance.