Luke 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.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
They on
G1909
ἐπὶ
They on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
3 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἳ
are they which
G3739
οἳ
are they which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
7 of 27
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
9 of 27
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
δέχονται
receive
G1209
δέχονται
receive
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
11 of 27
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
the word
G3056
λόγον
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
13 of 27
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὗτοι
these
G3778
οὗτοι
these
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
15 of 27
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἔχουσιν
have
G2192
ἔχουσιν
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
18 of 27
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
οἳ
are they which
G3739
οἳ
are they which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
19 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
πρὸς
for
G4314
πρὸς
for
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
20 of 27
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
πιστεύουσιν
believe
G4100
πιστεύουσιν
believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
22 of 27
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
John 5:35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.Hosea 6:4O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.Proverbs 12:12The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.Ezekiel 33:32And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.Hebrews 10:39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.Isaiah 58:2Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.2 Peter 2:22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.2 Peter 2:20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.Ephesians 3:17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,Jude 1:12These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Historical Context
Palestinian soil often had thin earth over limestone rock. Seeds germinated quickly in shallow soil, warmed rapidly by underlying rock, creating impressive initial growth. But lacking deep roots, plants withered when heat came (Matthew 13:6). Jesus addressed crowds including many superficial followers attracted by miracles and teaching but unwilling to count the cost (Luke 14:25-33). The early church faced this constantly—enthusiastic initial responses that evaporated under persecution. Luke's audience in the Roman world would recognize 'temptation' (peirasmos) as testing through suffering, persecution, or social pressure. The parable warned against equating emotional response with genuine conversion, a critical distinction as the church grew beyond Palestine.
Questions for Reflection
- What distinguishes genuine conversion from emotional, superficial response to the gospel?
- How does the warning about 'no root' challenge modern evangelistic methods that prioritize quick decisions over careful discipleship?
- Why does Jesus say rocky-soil hearers 'believe for a while'—does this mean true believers can lose salvation, or were they never truly saved?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. The rocky soil (petra, πέτρα) represents shallow earth over limestone bedrock—seed sprouts quickly but roots cannot deepen. The phrase receive the word with joy (meta charas dechomai ton logon, μετὰ χαρᾶς δέχομαι τὸν λόγον) describes emotional reception without depth. This is profession without possession, enthusiasm without endurance.
The devastating phrase have no root (rizan ouk echousin, ῥίζαν οὐκ ἔχουσιν) explains their failure: no deep connection to Christ, no root system drawing spiritual nourishment. They believe for a while (pros kairon pisteuousin, πρὸς καιρὸν πιστεύουσιν)—temporary, superficial faith. The phrase in time of temptation fall away (en kairō peirasmou aphistantai, ἐν καιρῷ πειρασμοῦ ἀφίστανται) uses aphistantai (to depart, apostatize), indicating total abandonment when testing comes. This sobering picture warns against false conversions and emphasizes that genuine faith endures trials rather than collapsing under pressure.