13:5 no deepness of earth. Luke 8:6 says also that this stony ground “lacked moisture.” The sown seed, which is the Word of God, must also be watered by the Word (I Corinthians 3:6).

13:6 no root. Although the sower was right to scatter seed everywhere, it would have been more effective if he had first removed the stones (i.e., intellectual or other stumbling-stones inhibiting faith in the Word), then also watered the ground. Without this preparation, even though the seed sprang up “forthwith,” it did not last. It is sadly true that “instant conversions” more often than not are superficial and fade away in the heat of persecution, or even mere intellectual peer pressure.