What does Luke 8:7 mean?

Jesus' third example of soil (Luke 8:4–6) is filled with thorns. The thorny weeds choke the crops by stealing away water and nutrients.

It's interesting to remember the origin of thorns in the creation story. Thorns and weeds were punishment against Adam because he disobeyed God (Genesis 3:17–19). They are a constant reminder of sin: specifically, the sin of looking to something other than God for life. Jesus' interpretation matches this. He compares the thorns to the "cares and riches and pleasures of life" (Luke 8:14) that distract us from God's true Word. In response, what little growth occurs is useless.

In the next chapter, Luke will give examples of the concerns potential Jesus-followers faced before committing to Him. People faced unstable living conditions, family obligations, and even sentimentality (Luke 9:57–62). Jesus tells His followers they would face much more (John 15:18–19; 16:33; Luke 9:23–27). Paul listed his own experiences: "Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure" (2 Corinthians 11:24–27).

Scripture doesn't invalidate our sufferings. Nor does it ignore the things that bring us joy. It does put such things in perspective. Nothing should keep us from following Jesus.