Parables, the sower
Matthew 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
Matthew 13:5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
Some, however, fell on the stony ones where it didn't hold a great deal of dirt. And right away, it rose out through not seeming to have a depth of ground.
We can rise quickly if we don't worry about the longer term.
The verse begins with an untranslated conjunction. These are often edited out because they are part of an unrecorded dialogue. Here, it is a sign of how Jesus tells stories, acting them out dramatically. This doesn't fit well into a written story like it does in a spoken one.
The plural "they" used often in this verse is a mistranslation of singular pronouns. The Mark 4:5 version is from the same Greek, but translates it more accurately. There is a key change of the form of negatives here from an objective negative to a subjective negative. This form indicates an appearance, a seeming rather than what is real. This is a play on words where "depth" refers to a depth of mind. It also implies that this lack of depth comes from not thinking or not wanting it to be deep.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "however" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "stoney" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "places" doesn't exist in the source.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "they" is translated as plural but it is singular.
- WN - Wrong Number- The second "they" is translated as plural but it is singular.
- WN - Wrong Number- The third "they" is translated as plural but it is singular.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "had" is not an active verb but an infinitive noun, "having."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "no" is the negative of opinion and comparison.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "however" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "rocky" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "places" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "had" is not an active verb but an infinitive noun, "having."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "no" is the negative of opinion and comparison.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "soil" is not a subject but a genitive modifying "depth."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "was" should be something more like "have."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "was" is not an active verb but an infinitive noun, "having."
Some - "Some" is a Greek adjective that means "another," "one besides," "of another sort," "different," and similar meanings. It also have the sense of "wrong" and "not right." Since "seeds" are the reference, it is plural and neuter. It has the form of a subject.
missing "however" -- (MW) The untranslated word for "but" that joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
fell - "Fell" is translated from a Greek word that means "to fall" and "to fall down." Like our word "to fall" it has a number of special meanings including "to fall into a given class," "to prostrate," "to fall from power," "to perish," and so on. The verb is singular, but a plural, neuter subject is treated as a group.
upon - The word translated as "upon" means "against," "before," "by" or "on."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
stony, - "Stony" is from an adjective that means "rocklike" and "stony." It is introduced by an article ("the"), so "the stony ones" or "the rocky ones ." The metaphor here is a hardness of mind.
places -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "places" in the Greek source.
where - "Where" is an adverb that means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
they -- (WN) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. While we don't have noun gender, we could refer to a group of seeds as "it" without a problem.
had - The verb translated as "had" means "to possess," "to hold," or "to keep." It is singular and in the past tense and the negative, "it didn't hold." The verb is singular, not plural.
not - The Greek negative "not" here is the negative of fact. The negative later in the verse is the negative of opinion. It negates the verb, "not have" rather than the "much."
much - The word translated as "much" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
earth: The word translated as "earth" means the physical planet and, generally, "the ground." Like our English word "earth," it means both the dirt and the planet.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
forthwith - "Forthwith" is from an adverb that means "straight," "direct," and "straight away."
they -- (WN) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. While we don't have noun gender, we could refer to a group of seeds as "it" without a problem.
sprung - "Sprung up" is from a verb which means "to cause to spring from." It also it is singular, not plural. It is a form of the verb starting the next verse translated as "was up." This verb is singular, not plural.
up, -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "out of."
because - The word translated as "because" means "through," in the midst of," "because of" or "by (a cause)."
they -- (WN) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. While we don't have noun gender, we could refer to a group of seeds as "it" without a problem.
had - (WF) The word translated as "had" means "to possess," "to hold," or "to keep." However, it is an infinitive, introduced by an article, so it takes on the role of a noun in the negative, so "the lack." However, the verb is singular, not plural. It is also not an active verb. It is an infinitive, "to have." With the negative, it works like "want to have" because of the form of negative used or, more simply, "not having."
no - (CW) The negative "no" used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. This is a change from the previous negative. The sense is about opinions not reality, often best expressed as "not wanting" or "not thinking." It is also the relative negative, used in comparisons, which is its use here. However, the use of this form adds a double meaning if Jesus is addressing the depth of someone's mind and desire.
deepness - "Deepness" is a Greek noun that means "height" or "depth" measuring up or down. In Greek, it was also used as a metaphor (as it is in English) for depth of mind, e.g. "He is deep." The exact phrase here is "no seeming depth" which we would describe in English as "shallowness."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
earth: -- The word for "earth" appears again, but if we interpret it in the context of a persons mind, it becomes someone's "ground" or "grounding" in reality. However, in terms of the seeds, it is the dirt.
Some - "Some" is a Greek adjective that means "another," "one besides," "of another sort," "different," and similar meanings. It also have the sense of "wrong" and "not right." Since "seeds" are the reference, it is plural and neuter. It has the form of a subject.
missing "however" -- (MW) The untranslated word for "but" that joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
fell - "Fell" is translated from a Greek word that means "to fall" and "to fall down." Like our word "to fall" it has a number of special meanings including "to fall into a given class," "to prostrate," "to fall from power," "to perish," and so on. The verb is singular, but a plural, neuter subject is treated as a group.
on - The word translated as "on" means "against," "before," "by" or "on."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
rocky, - "Rocky" is from an adjective that means "rocklike" and "stony." It is introduced by an article ("the"), so "the stony ones" or "the rocky ones ." The metaphor here is a hardness of mind.
places -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "places" in the Greek source.
where - "Where" is an adverb that means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. While we don't have noun gender, we could refer to a group of seeds as "it" without a problem.
did -- This helping verb is added to make this a negative sentence.
not - The Greek negative "not" here is the negative of fact. The negative later in the verse is the negative of opinion. It negates the verb, "not have" rather than the "much."
have - The verb translated as "have" means "to possess," "to hold," or "to keep." It is singular and in the past tense and the negative, "it didn't hold." The verb is singular, not plural.
much - The word translated as "much" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
soil: The word translated as "soil" means the physical planet and, generally, "the ground." Like our English word "earth," it means both the dirt and the planet.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
It -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. While we don't have noun gender, we could refer to a group of seeds as "it" without a problem.
sprang - "Sprung up" is from a verb which means "to cause to spring from." It also it is singular, not plural. It is a form of the verb starting the next verse translated as "was up." This verb is singular, not plural.
up, -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "out of."
quickly- "Quickly" is from an adverb that means "straight," "direct," and "straight away."
because - The word translated as "because" means "through," in the midst of," "because of" or "by (a cause)."
the -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
soil -- (WF) The word for "soil" appears again, but if we interpret it in the context of a persons mind, it becomes someone's "ground" or "grounding" in reality. However, in terms of the seeds, it is the dirt.
was - (WW, WF) The word translated as "had" means "to possess," "to hold," or "to keep." However, it is an infinitive, introduced by an article, so it takes on the role of a noun in the negative, so "the lack." However, the verb is singular, not plural. It is also not an active verb. It is an infinitive, "to have." With the negative, it works like "want to have" because of the form of negative used or, more simply, "not having."
shallow - This is from two Greek words meaning "no depth." The negative "no" used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. This is a change from the previous negative. The sense is about opinions not reality, often best expressed as "not wanting" or "not thinking." It is also the relative negative, used in comparisons, which is its use here. However, the use of this form adds a double meaning if Jesus is addressing the depth of someone's mind and desire. "Depth" is a Greek noun that means "height" or "depth" measuring up or down. In Greek, it was also used as a metaphor (as it is in English) for depth of mind, e.g. "He is deep." The exact phrase here is "not comparably deep" which we would describe in English as "shallowness."
ἄλλα (adj pl neut nom) "Some" is from allos, which means "another," "one besides," "of another sort," "different," "other than what is true," "as well," "besides," {with numerals: "yet," "still," "further"), "of other sort," "other than what is," "untrue," "unreal," "other than right," "wrong," "bad," "unworthy," [with an article] "the rest," "all besides," and [in series] "one...another."
δὲ (conj) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so").
ἔπεσεν (verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Fell" is from the verb pipto, which means "to fall," "to fall down," "to be cast down," "fall upon," "intersect (geometry)," "meet," "pass through," "fall violently upon," "attack," "fall in battle," "sink{in water)," "fall short i.e. fail," " fall out of," "lose a thing," "escape from," "fall asleep," "to be accessible to perception," "to fall (between her feet, i.e. to be born)," "to let fall[dice)," "turn out," and "fall under (belong to a class)."
ἐπὶ (prep) "Upon" is from epi. which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," and "against." -
τὰ (article pl neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πετρώδη [4 verses](adj pl neut acc) "Stony places" is from petrôdês, which is an adjective meaning "like rock" ""rocky," and "stony."
ὅπου (adv) "Where" is from hopou, which means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
οὐκ (partic) "Not" is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
εἶχεν (verb 3rd sg imperf) "Have" is from echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to bear," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do."
γῆν (noun sg fem acc) "Earth" is from ge, which means "the element of earth," "land (country)," "arable land," "the ground," and "the world" as the opposite of the sky. Like our English word "earth," it means both dirt and the planet.
πολλήν, "Much" is from polys, which means "many (in number)," "great (in size or power or worth)," and "large (of space)." As an adverb, it means "far," "very much," "a great way," and "long."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
εὐθέως (adv) "Forthwith" is from eutheos, which is the adverb of euthus, which means "straight," "direct," "straightforward," and "frank." As an adverb, it means "straight," "simple," "straightway," forthwith," "immediately," "directly," and "at once."
ἐξανέτειλεν [2 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Sprung up" is exanatellô, which means "to cause to spring from" and "to spring up from." It is compound verb of the preposition ek- ("out") and the verb -anatello meaning "to rise" and "spring up" in plants.
διὰ (prep) "Because" is from the preposition dia which means (with gen.) "through," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "among," and "between." With the acc. it means "through," and causally, "because of," "by reason of," and "by aid of."
τὸ (article sg neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
μὴ (partic) "Not" is from me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.
ἔχειν (verb pres inf act) "Have" is from echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to bear," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do."
βάθος [3 verses](noun sg neut acc) "Deepness" is bathos, which means "height" or "depth" measuring up or down. In Greek, it was also used as a metaphor (as it is in English) for depth of mind, e.g. "He is deep."
γῆς, (noun sg fem gen) "Of earth" is from ge, which means "the element of earth," "land (country)," "arable land," "the ground," and "the world" as the opposite of the sky. Like our English word "earth," it means both dirt and the planet.
The word translated as "fell" also means "failed."
The word translated as "upon" also means "against."
The word translated as "depth" is a metaphor for depth of mind.
The word translated as "earth" also means "dirt" and "ground" including the sense of someone being "grounded."
“Some, however, fell on that rockiness,” the Master said. As he did, he looked off toward a rocky part of the shore and gestured to it. Then he continued, “Where it didn’t have a great deal of soil. And right away, it rose out through it.”
One of his hands played the role of the plant, growing up through the ground that was portrayed by his other hand.
“It didn’t seem to have a depth of dirt,” he commented, holding up his hand that portrayed the ground.
The crowd laughed.