And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It’s easy to see the "cares, riches, and pleasures" as external things that happen to choke the seed, but the text actually says they are part of the life the hearer is "going on with." This suggests the problem isn't just external pressures, but the internal choice to let those things define one's path, preventing the Word's fruit from ever truly maturing.
And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is explaining his parable about the sower and the seed to his disciples. This particular seed, falling among thorns, represents people who hear God's word but get sidetracked by the demands and distractions of everyday life, preventing them from truly growing and bearing spiritual fruit. In the verses that follow, Jesus emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the word, but understanding and cherishing it to produce a good harvest.
Jesus said some people hear God's Word, but it never bears fruit. Why?
In this parable, the 'seed' is the Word of God, designed to grow and produce fruit. But for some, this growth is stunted. Luke highlights that the 'thorns' – the cares, riches, and pleasures of life – act like competing growth hormones. They draw all the energy and resources away from the precious seed of God's Word. Instead of allowing the Word to mature and bear fruit, these earthly pursuits choke it out. It's not that the seed is bad, or that the soil is inherently incapable of growth, but that the 'weeds' are so aggressive they crowd out the good crop before it can mature.
It’s not always persecution that kills spiritual fruit, but the slow drift into comfort and distraction. How does this happen?
This parable describes a subtle, insidious danger. Unlike the seed on the path (stolen by the devil) or the rocky ground (quickly withered by affliction), this seed is sown in soil that can grow. There's an initial hearing, a potential for understanding, and even a sense of forward movement ('as they go on their way'). However, the 'cares, riches, and pleasures' are not necessarily outright sin. They are often the normal, even desirable, aspects of life. The danger lies in allowing these things to become the primary focus, to 'choke' the Word. This isn't about sudden apostasy, but a gradual entanglement that prevents the fruit of faith from ever ripening. The fruit doesn't just fail to grow; it doesn't mature—it never reaches its intended, God-given purpose.
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Understand the original words
karpos · Greek,originalWord: Noun
The visible, tangible results produced in the life of a believer through the power of the Holy Spirit, reflecting the character and will of God.
This parallel passage in Matthew explicitly links the thorns to the 'cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches,' highlighting how these earthly concerns choke out the spiritual life.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse directly addresses the danger of the love of money, which is described as a root of all kinds of evil, aligning with the 'riches' that choke the word in Luke's parable.
1 John 2:15This passage warns against loving the world and its fleeting pleasures, which are the 'pleasures of this life' that, according to Luke, can prevent spiritual fruitfulness.
Hebrews 12:1This verse calls believers to 'throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,' which resonates with the idea of the 'thorns' of life weighing down and choking the good seed.
James 1:14James explains that temptation comes from one's own evil desires, which is directly related to the 'pleasures of this life' that distract and choke out the word, preventing mature spiritual fruit.
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 8:14: "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."
And that which fell among thorns are they,.... The seed that fell among thorns, or were sown on thorny ground, represent such hearers: which, when they have heard, go forth; from hearing the word to their worldly business; or go on in the pursuit of their worldly lusts and pleasures notwithstanding; for…
It’s easy to see the "cares, riches, and pleasures" as external things that happen to choke the seed, but the text actually says they are part of the life the hearer is "going on with." This suggests the problem isn't just external pressures, but the internal choice to let those things define one's path, preventing the Word's fruit from ever truly maturing.
Jesus is explaining his parable about the sower and the seed to his disciples. This particular seed, falling among thorns, represents people who hear God's word but get sidetracked by the demands and distractions of everyday life, preventing them from truly growing and bearing spiritual fruit. In the verses that follow, Jesus emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the word, but understanding and cherishing it to produce a good harvest.
Jesus is explaining his parable about the sower and the seed to his disciples. This particular seed, falling among thorns, represents people who hear God's word but get sidetracked by the demands and distractions of everyday life, preventing them from truly growing and bearing spiritual fruit. In the verses that follow, Jesus emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the word, but understanding and cherishing it to produce a good harvest.
"And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature." — It’s easy to see the "cares, riches, and pleasures" as external things that happen to choke the seed, but the text actually says they are part of the life the hearer is "going on with." This sugg…
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Last reviewed October 2026