Final answer:
In the parable of the seeds, Jesus explains that the thorns represent distractions or concerns in life that take priority over hearing and understanding the message of God.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the parable of the seeds, Jesus explains that the thorns represent the things that "stifle the word." These things can be distractions or concerns in life that take priority over hearing and understanding the message of God. They can be material possessions, wealth, worries, or desires for worldly success. Just as thorns choke and prevent plants from growing, these distractions prevent the word of God from taking root and thriving in a person's life.
For example, in the story of the rich young man in the Bible, the man's wealth and attachment to material possessions prevented him from fully embracing Jesus' teachings. Another example could be the parable of the sower itself, where the thorns represent the cares of life that prevent the seed from flourishing.