The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who receive the message gladly as soon as they hear it.

But it does not sink deep into them, and they don't last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once.

Other people are like the seeds that fall on rocky ground. As soon as they hear the message, they receive it gladly.

But it does not sink deep into them, and they don't last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once.

Herod was afraid of John because he knew that John was a good and holy man, and so he kept him safe. He liked to listen to him, even though he became greatly disturbed every time he heard him.

The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who hear the message and receive it gladly. But it does not sink deep into them; they believe only for a while but when the time of testing comes, they fall away.

As the scripture says, "You have found out for yourselves how kind the Lord is."

If people have escaped from the corrupting forces of the world through their knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and then are again caught and conquered by them, such people are in worse condition at the end than they were at the beginning.

God has not placed the angels as rulers over the new world to come---the world of which we speak.