Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Study Note
Study Note
In the interpretation of the Sower parable, this verse identifies the 'good ground' hearers as those who receive the word in 'an honest and good heart' (kardia kalē kai agathē) — the Greek echoing the Platonic-Stoic ideal of the 'kalos kagathos' (noble and good person) — and 'bring forth fruit with patience.' The emphasis on 'patience' (hypomonē, endurance under trial) links productive discipleship specifically to perseverance through the tribulation mentioned in the rocky-ground category, not merely initial reception. The Lukan version uniquely stresses the temporal dimension: fruitfulness is not instant but requires sustained faithfulness. James 1:4 and Hebrews 12:1 develop the same patience-as-spiritual-maturity theme in their own hortatory contexts.
Other Translations
And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
`And that in the good ground: These are they, who in an upright and good heart, having heard the word, do retain <FI>it<Fi> , and bear fruit in continuance.
And those in the good earth are those who, having given ear to the word, keep it with a good and true heart, and in quiet strength give fruit.
Cross References
And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy …
My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more …
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, …
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his …
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: