15 because their minds are dull, and they have stopped up their ears and have closed their eyes. Otherwise, their eyes would see, their ears would hear, their minds would understand, and they would turn to me, says God, and I would heal them.’
16 “As for you, how fortunate you are! Your eyes see and your ears hear.
17 I assure you that many prophets and many of God's people wanted very much to see what you see, but they could not, and to hear what you hear, but they did not.
18 “Listen, then, and learn what the parable of the sower means.
19 Those who hear the message about the Kingdom but do not understand it are like the seeds that fell along the path. The Evil One comes and snatches away what was sown in them.
20 The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who receive the message gladly as soon as they hear it.
21 But it does not sink deep into them, and they don't last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once.