It is the parable of “seeing but not seeing,” of “receiving but not processing.” The seed is sown everywhere, but it is not received (hard ground, shallow soil, terrain full of weeds), or is taken away (birds, heat of the sun, thorns). Only when it is received and does not remain lying on the surface as a “parable,” does it become active and bears fruit of knowledge and faith.1
12 so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”