Matius 13:4

13:4 And as he sowed, some seeds ¹  fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.

Matius 13:7

13:7 Other seeds fell among the thorns, ²  and they grew up and choked them. ³ 

[13:4]  ¹ tn In Matthew’s version of this parable, plural pronouns are used to refer to the seed in v. 4 (ἅ…αὐτά [Ja…auta]), although the collective singular is used in v. 5 and following (indicated by the singular verbs like ἔπεσεν [epesen]). For the sake of consistency in English, plural pronouns referring to the seed are used in the translation throughout the Matthean account. In both Mark and Luke the collective singular is used consistently throughout (cf. Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-8).

[13:7]  ² sn Palestinian weeds like these thorns could grow up to six feet in height and have a major root system.

[13:7]  ³ sn That is, crowded out the good plants.