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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The common mistake is to think this describes someone pretending to believe. But Jesus says they "believe for a while," indicating a genuine, though shallow, faith that can even bring joy. The real issue isn't a lack of initial sincerity, but the absence of deep, internal roots that would allow that faith to withstand the inevitable trials.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is explaining his parable of the sower to his disciples, revealing that the "seed" is God's word and the different types of soil represent various responses to it. This particular description of rocky ground highlights those who initially embrace the message with enthusiasm but lack the deep, enduring root system needed to withstand hardship. Without this foundational strength, their faith proves fragile and ultimately crumbles when faced with trials or persecution.
Ever felt an instant rush of excitement about something spiritual, only for it to fade later? This parable gets to the heart of that.
Jesus uses the 'rock' or 'stony ground' illustration to describe a specific kind of response to God's Word. These hearers do receive the message, and they do so with immediate joy. It's not that they're intentionally rejecting God; it's that their reception is superficial.
What 'Joy' Looks Like:
What's the difference between believing for a while and truly believing? This parable gives us a stark warning.
The core issue with the rocky ground hearers is a lack of 'root.' This means their belief is temporary, or as some translations put it, they 'endure for a while.'
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The Nature of Temporary Faith:
Understand the original words
peirasmos · Greek Noun
A season of difficulty, trial, or temptation designed to test the genuineness of a person's faith and the depth of their commitment to God.
aphistēmi · Greek,originalWord: Verb
To turn away from the faith or abandon the truth; in this context, it describes a failure to persevere in faith under pressure.
This passage describes the same type of shallow hearing in the parable of the sower, where the seed on rocky ground springs up quickly but withers because it lacks depth, mirroring the temporary belief and falling away described in Luke.
John 6:66After hearing Jesus' challenging words, many disciples turned back and no longer followed him, illustrating the 'falling away' that occurs when trials test a faith that lacks deep roots.
Hebrews 10:39This verse speaks of those who 'draw back' to perdition, contrasting them with those who believe to the saving of the soul, highlighting the dangerous consequence of abandoning faith when tested.
1 Corinthians 7:5Paul warns against depriving one another, except perhaps by agreement for a time, so that one may devote to prayer, which resonates with the idea of a temporary commitment ('for a while') that is easily disrupted.
James 1:14This verse states that each person is tempted when they are drawn away and enticed by their own desires, showing the internal struggle that can cause a superficial faith to fail under pressure.
calvinLuke 8:11-15: "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God."
- Hear therefore the parable of the sower. 19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth not, that wicked one cometh, and taketh away what was sown in the heart. This is he who received seed near the road. 20. But he that received the seed thrown into stony places, is he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with joy: 21. But hath not root in himself, but is of short duration: when afflic…
gillLuke 8:13: "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."
They on the rock are they, which when they hear,.... The seed that fell upon the rock, or stony ground, signify such sort of hearers, who receive the word with joy. The Ethiopic version reads, "with joy of heart". But, this sort of hearers receive not the word into their hearts, or with their hearts believe it, and from…
The common mistake is to think this describes someone pretending to believe. But Jesus says they "believe for a while," indicating a genuine, though shallow, faith that can even bring joy. The real issue isn't a lack of initial sincerity, but the absence of deep, internal roots that would allow that faith to withstand the inevitable trials.
Jesus is explaining his parable of the sower to his disciples, revealing that the "seed" is God's word and the different types of soil represent various responses to it. This particular description of rocky ground highlights those who initially embrace the message with enthusiasm but lack the deep, enduring root system needed to withstand hardship. Without this foundational strength, their faith proves fragile and ultimately crumbles when faced with trials or persecution.
Jesus is explaining his parable of the sower to his disciples, revealing that the "seed" is God's word and the different types of soil represent various responses to it. This particular description of rocky ground highlights those who initially embrace the message with enthusiasm but lack the deep, enduring root system needed to withstand hardship. Without this foundational strength, their faith proves fragile and ultimately crumbles when faced with trials or persecution.
"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." — The common mistake is to think this describes someone pretending to believe. But Jesus says they "believe for a while," indicating a genuine, though shallow, faith that can even bring joy. The real…
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Last reviewed October 2026