Mark 4
New Matthew Bible
The parable of the sower. Take heed to God’s word. Christ stills the tempest of the sea, which obeyed him.
4 And he began again to teach by the sea side. And there gathered together unto him crowds of people, so greatly that he entered into the boat and sat in it in the sea, and all the people were by the sea side on the shore. 2 And he taught them many things in similitudes, and said to them in his lesson: 3 Hearken to! Behold, there went out a sower to sow. 4 And it happened as he sowed that some seed fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and quickly sprang up because it did not have depth of earth; 6 but as soon as the sun was up, it caught heat, and because it did not have rooting, withered away. 7 And some fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, so that it gave no fruit. 8 And some fell upon good ground, and yielded fruit that sprang up and grew, and brought forth: some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some a hundredfold. 9 And he said to them, He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
10 And when he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the similitude. 11 And he said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, all things shall be done in similitudes, 12 and when they see, they will see but not discern, and when they hear, they will hear and not understand, lest at any time they should turn; and their sins would be forgiven them.
13 And he said to them, Do you not understand this similitude? How then will you understand any other similitudes? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And those who are by the wayside where the word is sown are those to whom, as soon as they have heard it, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And likewise, those who receive the seed on the stony ground are those who, when they have heard the word, at once receive it with gladness, 17 yet have no roots in themselves. And so they endure but a time, and once trouble and persecution arise for the word’s sake, they fall immediately. 18 And those who receive the seed among the thorns are such as hear the word, 19 but the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the hunger for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it is made unfruitful. 20 And those who received the seed in good ground are those who hear the word and receive it, and bring forth fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, some a hundredfold.
21 And Jesus said to the people, Is the candle lighted to be put under a bushel or under the table, and not rather to be put on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing so hid that it will not be revealed, nor so secret but that it may become clear. 23 If any person has ears to hear, let him hear.
24 And he said to them, Attend with care to what you hear. With the same measure you give, it will be measured back to you. And to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For to him who has, it will be given, but from him who has not shall be taken away even what he has.
26 And he said, The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man sows seed in the ground, 27 and sleeps, and rises up night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows up, he knows not how. 28 For the earth brings forth fruit of herself: first the blade, then the ears, after that the full grain in the ears. 29 And as soon as the fruit is brought forth, immediately the man thrusts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.
30 And he said, To what may we liken the kingdom of God? or what comparison can we use? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is the least of all seeds that are in the earth. 32 But after it is sown, it grows up and is greatest of all shrubs, and bears great branches, so that the birds of the air may dwell under the cover of it.
33 And with many such similitudes he preached the word to the people, as they were able to hear it. 34 And without similitude he spoke nothing to them. But when they were apart, he expounded all things to his disciples.
35 And the same day, when evening was come, he said to them, Let us pass over to the other side. 36 And they left the people and took him just as he was in the boat. And there were also with him other boats. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and it dashed the waves into the boat so that it was full. 38 And he was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke him and said to him, Teacher, do you not care if we perish?
39 And he rose up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, and be still! And the wind allayed, and there followed a great calm. 40 And he said to them, Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly and said to one another, What manner of man is this? For both wind and sea obey him.
Mark 4
1599 Geneva Bible
4 4 The parable of the sower. 14 And the meaning thereof. 18 Thorns. 21 The candle. 26 Of him that sowed, and then slept. 31 The grain of mustard seed. 38 Christ sleepeth in the ship.
1 And (A)he began again to teach by the [a]seaside, and there gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat [b]in the sea, and all the people was by the seaside on the land.
2 And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
3 [c]Hearken: Behold, there went out a sower to sow.
4 And it came to pass as he sowed, that some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the heaven came, and devoured it up.
5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and by and by sprang up, because it had not depth of earth.
6 But as soon as the Sun was up, it was burnt up, and because it had not root, it withered away.
7 And some fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, so that it gave no fruit.
8 Some again fell in good ground, and did yield fruit that sprung up, and grew, and it brought forth, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some an hundredfold.
9 Then he said unto them, He that hath ears, to hear, let him hear.
10 And when he was [d]alone, they that were [e]about him with the twelve, asked him of the parable.
11 And he said unto them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are [f]without, all things be done in parables,
12 (B)That they seeing, may see, and not discern: and they hearing, may hear, and not understand, lest at any time they should turn, and their sins should be forgiven them.
13 Again he said unto them, Perceive ye not this parable? how then should ye understand all other parables?
14 The sower soweth the word.
15 And these are they that receive the seed by the wayside, in whom the word is sown: but when they have heard it, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16 And likewise they that receive the seed in stony ground, are they, which when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with gladness.
17 Yet have they no root in themselves, and endure but a time: for when trouble and persecution ariseth for the word, immediately they be offended.
18 Also they that receive the seed among the thorns, are such as hear the word:
19 But the cares [g]of this world, and the (C)deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things enter in, and choke the word, and it is unfruitful.
20 But they that have received seed in good ground, are they that hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit: one corn thirty, another sixty, and some an hundred.
21 ¶ [h]Also he said unto them, (D)Cometh the candle in, to be put under a bushel, or under the bed, and not to be put in a candlestick?
22 (E)For there is nothing hid, that shall not be opened, neither is there a secret, but that it shall come to light.
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24 [i]And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear. (F)With what measure you mete, it shall be measured unto you: and unto you that hear, shall more be given.
25 (G)For unto him that hath, shall it be given, and from him that hath not, shall be taken away even that he hath.
26 ¶ [j]Also he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed in the ground.
27 And [k]should sleep, and rise up night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he [l]not knowing how.
28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit [m]of itself, first the blade, then the ears, after that full corn in the ears.
29 And as soon as the fruit showeth itself, anon he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
30 ¶ (H)[n]He said moreover, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth, is the least of all seeds that be in the earth:
32 But after that it is sown, it groweth up, and is greatest of all herbs, and beareth great branches, so that the fowls of the heaven may build under the shadow of it.
33 And (I)with many such parables he preached the word unto them, [o]as they were able to hear it.
34 And without parables spake he nothing unto them: but he [p]expounded all things to his disciples apart.
35 ¶ (J)Now the same day when even was come, he said unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And they left the multitude, and took him as he was in the ship, and there was also with him other little ships.
37 [q]And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves dashed into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the stern asleep on a pillow: and they awoke him, and said to him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose up, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, and be still. So the wind ceased, and it was a great calm.
40 Then he said unto them, [r]Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, Who is this, that both the wind and sea obey him?
Footnotes
- Mark 4:1 Seaside of Tiberias.
- Mark 4:1 In a ship which was launched into the sea.
- Mark 4:3 The selfsame doctrine of the Gospel is sown everywhere, but it hath not like success indeed through the fault of man, but yet by the just judgment of God.
- Mark 4:10 Word for word, solitary.
- Mark 4:10 They that followed him at the heels.
- Mark 4:11 That is to say, to strangers, and such as are none of ours.
- Mark 4:19 Which pertain to this life.
- Mark 4:21 Although the light of the Gospel be rejected of the world, yet it ought to be lighted, if it were for no other cause than this, that the wickedness of the world might be made manifest.
- Mark 4:24 The more liberally that we communicate such gifts as God hath given us with our brethren, the more bountiful will God be toward us.
- Mark 4:26 The Lord soweth and reapeth after a manner unknown to men.
- Mark 4:27 That is, when he hath done sowing, should pass the time both day and night, nothing doubting, but that the seed would spring which groweth both day and night.
- Mark 4:27 It is the part of the ministers, to labor the ground with all diligence, and commend the success to God: for that mighty working whereby the seed cometh to blade and ear, is secret and only known by the fruit.
- Mark 4:28 By a certain power which moveth itself.
- Mark 4:30 God far otherwise than men use, beginneth with the least, and endeth with the greatest.
- Mark 4:33 According to the capacity of the hearers.
- Mark 4:34 Word for word, Loosed, as you would say, read them the hard riddles.
- Mark 4:37 They that sail with Christ, although he seems to sleep never so soundly when they are in danger, yet they are preserved of him in time convenient, being awakened.
- Mark 4:40 How cometh it to pass that you have no faith?
Mark 4
Authorized (King James) Version
4 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4 and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6 but when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 but when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. 33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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