And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places , who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy;

And these likewise are they that are sown on the stony ground: who when they have heard the word, immediately recieve it with joy.

And these are they in like manner who are sown upon the rocky places, who when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy,

'And these are they, in like manner, who on the rocky ground are sown: who, whenever they may hear the word, immediately with joy do receive it,

In the same way those who receive the seed on the rocky places are those who, when they have heard the Message, at once accept it joyfully,

And in the same way, these are they who are planted on the stones, who, when the word has come to their ears, straight away take it with joy;

And these in a similar way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy.

And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.

So, too, those meant by the seed sown on the rocky places are the people who, when they have heard the message, at once accept it joyfully;

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground,.... Such sort of hearers of the word are signified by the stony ground, on which the seed were sown, who are constant hearers of the word, and have some understanding of it, and some sort of affection for it, and yet their hearts are not truly broken by it; they are not brought to a thorough sight and sense of sin, and of their need of Christ, and salvation by him; their stony hearts are not taken away, and hearts of flesh given them:
who when they have heard the word immediately receive it with gladness; seem highly pleased, and greatly delighted with it, as being a well connected scheme things; and which declares things, as heaven and eternal happiness, which they, from a principle of self love, are desirous of enjoying.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground, &c.--"Immediately" the seed in such a case "springs up"--all the quicker from the shallowness of the soil--"because it has no depth of earth." But the sun, beating on it, as quickly scorches and withers it up, "because it has no root" (Mark 4:6), and "lacks moisture" (Luke 8:6). The great truth here taught is that hearts superficially impressed are apt to receive the truth with readiness, and even with joy (Luke 8:13); but the heat of tribulation or persecution because of the word, or the trials which their new profession brings upon them quickly dries up their relish for the truth, and withers all the hasty promise of fruit which they showed. Such disappointing issues of a faithful and awakening ministry--alas, how frequent are they!