Matthew 13:19–23

Matthew wrote “the evil one,” Mark “Satan,” Luke “the devil.” “Beside the road” is not the same as “in the road,” and we need the difference because of “I am the road”; yet all three wrote “beside the road.” Most aptly Matthew and Mark say the word was sown “on the rocky places,” not on rock. Of all that is beside the road it is said that they do not understand; but of the good soil, “this is the one who hears the word and understands.” Perhaps, then, those on the rocky places and those among the thorns stand between the non-understanding and the understanding.

And it urges care for understanding. If the seed of the one who understands is not snatched, one must take up understanding and cover the seed in the earth — memory — so that it may take root and, not being found bare, may not be snatched by the spirits of wickedness.