4:16a

Some are like the seeds sown on rocky ground: The Greek text here is literally “these are the ones among the rocky places, being sown.” For example, the New Revised Standard Version says:

And these are the ones sown on rocky ground

The words “these are the ones” (New Revised Standard Version) introduce the second group of people. These people are compared to rocky places on which the sower has sown seed. Jesus described what happened when these people hear the word.

Here are some other ways to translate this comparison:

Sometimes the word/teaching falls on rocky places. This is like what happens when some people…
-or-
These/Some people are like the places/soil that had rock under it. This is where the seed is sown/scattered.

rocky ground: The phrase rocky ground also occurs in 4:5a. Use the same expression to translate this phrase here as you did there.

4:16b

at once receive it with joy: The word receive refers to accepting the word of God. These people quickly and happily believe the word.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

gladly hear the message and accept it right away (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
quickly accept it with joy (New Century Version)

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