In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), what is the primary significance of the thorny ground where some of the seed falls?

A It represents individuals who are naturally resistant to spiritual teachings. B It symbolizes those who initially accept the word but are choked by worldly anxieties and the deceitfulness of wealth. C It signifies people who are persecuted for their faith and quickly abandon it. D It portrays those who hear the word but do not understand it, leading to immediate rejection.