Matthew 13:21
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Matthew 13:21
This verse continues the rocky-ground metaphor: distress or persecution arises because of the word, and the person abandons faith. The immediate audience would recognize persecution as a real, tangible challenge to following Jesus. The promise is that new disciples must prepare for the cost of discipleship.
It foregrounds the cost of faith and the resilience needed to endure adversity for the sake of the gospel. It also demonstrates a tension between assurance and testing: genuine faith persists under pressure.
If your beliefs are tested, don’t retreat; lean into your community and God. Faithful endurance grows through small, consistent acts—confessing, praying, choosing mercy, and seeking God’s presence even when it’s painful. Remember that opposition can refine faith rather than destroy it.
Cross-References: John 16:33; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 4:12-14