But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered.
Jesus describes the fate of the seeds that fell on rocky ground. Because the soil was shallow, the plants sprouted quickly, but when the sun rose and began to scorch, they could not endure the heat and dried up, because their roots were not deeply embedded in the soil. This picture shows that without deep roots, growth is temporary and unstable. When difficult conditions arise, such plants cannot endure. Jesus will later explain the meaning of this picture, revealing its spiritual sense.