33-00
The Story of the Farmer
This title can also be translated as: “About a farmer who planted some seed” or “What happened when a farmer planted some seed?”
33-01
One day
This phrase introduces an event that happened in the past, but does not state the specific time. Many languages have a similar way to begin telling a true story.
33-02
this story
The story is in the form of a parable. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-parables/01.md]])
spreading the seed by hand
This could mean throwing the seed on the soil or covering all of his crop soil with seed. This is the way that farmers in the ancient Middle East typically planted grain-bearing crops.
33-03
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
the rocky ground
This could mean ground that was full of rocks.
33-04
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
choked it out
This can also be translated as: “overshadowed it” or “crowded it out.”
the thorny ground
This could mean the ground that was covered with thorny bushes.
33-05
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
good soil
This could mean fertile soil or soil that was good for growing plants.
30, 60, or even 100 times
This can be written in words: “thirty, sixty, or even one hundred times” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-numbers/01.md]])
33-06
This story confused the disciples.
This could mean The disciples did not understand this story.
The seed is the word of God
The word represents God’s message. Sowing the message represents teaching it. Alternate translation: “The sowing of the seed is teaching people God’s message” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
The path is a person who hears God’s word, but does not understand it
The path represents the person who hears God’s word. Alternate translation: “The path is like the person who hears God’s message” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
is a person
This comparison can also be translated as: “is like a person” or “represents a person” or “refers to a person” or “is speaking about a person.”
takes the word away from him
This may also be translated as: “takes God’s word away, causing him to forget it” or “steals the word from his heart so he won’t believe it and be saved.” You may also add the following: just as birds eat up the seed that falls on a path.
33-07
General Information
Jesus continues to explain the story.
The rocky ground is a person who hears God’s word and accepts it with joy
The rocky ground represents the person who hears and accepts God’s word for a short time. Alternate translation: “The rocky ground is like the person who hears God’s message and accepts it with joy” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
The rocky ground
See how you translated this term in 33:03.
is a person
See how you translated this comparison in 33:06.
accepts it with joy
This metaphor speaks of believing God’s word as accepting it. Alternate translation: “joyfully believes it” or “joyfully agrees that it is true” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
he suffers hardships, or when other people make him suffer
It may be helpful to explain that tribulation comes because people believe God’s message. Alternate translation: “he suffers because he believe God’s message” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])
falls away
This could mean no longer follows God or obeys him or stops following or obeying God.
33-08
General Information
Jesus continues to explain the story.
The thorny ground is a person who hears God’s word
The thorny ground represents the person who hears God’s word, but then ignores it. Alternate translation: “The thorny ground is like the person who hears God’s message” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
The thorny ground
See how you translated this term in 33:04.
is a person
See how you translated this comparison in 33:06.
He is like wheat stalks
Jesus speaks of the person as if he is like stalks of wheat. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-simile/01.md]])
do not produce any grain
This could mean do not produce spiritual fruit or do not behave in a way that shows God’s Spirit is working in him.
grain
Jesus speaks of a person’s good works as if they were grain. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
33-09
General Information
Jesus continues to explain the story.
the seed in the good soil is a person who hears the word of God, believes it, and produces fruit
The seed in the good soil represents the person who hears and believes God’s word, and produces fruit as a result. Alternate translation: “The seed in the good soil is like the person who hears and understand God’s message, and then produces fruit” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
the good soil
See how you translated this term in 33:05.
is a person
See how you translated this comparison in 33:06.
produces fruit
This could mean produces spiritual fruit or behaves in a way that shows God’s Spirit is working in him.
fruit
Jesus speaks of a person’s good works as if they were fruit. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
A Bible story from
These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.