The Parable of the Sower(A)

And (B)again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. Then He taught them many things by parables, (C)and said to them in His teaching:

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds [a]of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no [b]crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

And He said [c]to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

The Purpose of Parables(D)

10 (E)But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to (F)know the [d]mystery of the kingdom of God; but to (G)those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that

(H)‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’

The Parable of the Sower Explained(I)

13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 (J)The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the (K)cares of this world, (L)the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, [e]accept it, and bear (M)fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

Light Under a Basket(N)

21 (O)Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 (P)For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 (Q)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. (R)With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 (S)For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

The Parable of the Growing Seed

26 And He said, (T)“The kingdom of God is as if a man should [f]scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and (U)grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth (V)yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately (W)he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed(X)

30 Then He said, (Y)“To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”

Jesus’ Use of Parables

33 (Z)And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, (AA)He explained all things to His disciples.

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus(AB)

35 (AC)On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, (AD)“Teacher, (AE)do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and (AF)rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, (AG)“Peace,[g] be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? (AH)How[h] is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

A Demon-Possessed Man Healed(AI)

Then (AJ)they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the [i]Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an (AK)unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind [j]him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I (AL)implore[k] You by God that You do not torment me.”

For He said to him, (AM)“Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” Then He asked him, “What is your name?”

And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.

11 Now a large herd of (AN)swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And [l]at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been (AO)demon-possessed and had the legion, (AP)sitting and (AQ)clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then (AR)they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.

18 And when He got into the boat, (AS)he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to (AT)proclaim in [m]Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all (AU)marveled.

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed(AV)

21 (AW)Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 (AX)And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and (AY)lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

25 Now a certain woman (AZ)had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and (BA)touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the [n]affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that (BB)power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”

31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’

32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, (BC)fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, (BD)your faith has made you well. (BE)Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

35 (BF)While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only (BG)believe.” 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw [o]a tumult and those who (BH)wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but (BI)sleeping.”

40 And they ridiculed Him. (BJ)But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were (BK)overcome with great amazement. 43 But (BL)He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth(BM)

Then (BN)He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were (BO)astonished, saying, (BP)“Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and (BQ)brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they (BR)were offended at Him.

But Jesus said to them, (BS)“A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” (BT)Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And (BU)He marveled because of their unbelief. (BV)Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

Sending Out the Twelve(BW)

(BX)And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out (BY)two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— but (BZ)to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

10 (CA)Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. 11 (CB)And [p]whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, (CC)shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. [q]Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

12 So they went out and preached that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, (CD)and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

John the Baptist Beheaded(CE)

14 (CF)Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore (CG)these powers are at work in him.”

15 (CH)Others said, “It is Elijah.”

And others said, “It is [r]the Prophet, (CI)or like one of the prophets.”

16 (CJ)But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, (CK)“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

19 Therefore Herodias [s]held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod (CL)feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he [t]did many things, and heard him gladly.

21 (CM)Then an opportune day came when Herod (CN)on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, (CO)“Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”

And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”

25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 (CP)And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and (CQ)took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

Feeding the Five Thousand(CR)

30 (CS)Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 (CT)And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For (CU)there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 (CV)So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

33 But [u]the multitudes saw them departing, and many (CW)knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 (CX)And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like (CY)sheep not having a shepherd. So (CZ)He began to teach them many things. 35 (DA)When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves [v]bread; for they have nothing to eat.”

37 But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

And they said to Him, (DB)“Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”

And when they found out they said, (DC)“Five, and two fish.”

39 Then He (DD)commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He (DE)looked up to heaven, (DF)blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 42 So they all ate and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were [w]about five thousand men.

Jesus Walks on the Sea(DG)

45 (DH)Immediately He [x]made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He (DI)departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and (DJ)would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a (DK)ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, (DL)“Be[y] of good cheer! It is I; do not be (DM)afraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind (DN)ceased. And they were greatly (DO)amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52 For (DP)they had not understood about the loaves, because their (DQ)heart was hardened.

Many Touch Him and Are Made Well(DR)

53 (DS)When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately [z]the people recognized Him, 55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that (DT)they might just touch the (DU)hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

Defilement Comes from Within(DV)

Then (DW)the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now [aa]when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with (DX)unwashed hands, [ab]they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands [ac]in a special way, holding the (DY)tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.

(DZ)Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you (EA)hypocrites, as it is written:

(EB)‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—[ad]the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”

He said to them, All too well (EC)you [ae]reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, (ED)‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, (EE)‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, (EF)“Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

14 (EG)When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and (EH)understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that (EI)defile a man. 16 (EJ)If[af] anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

17 (EK)When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, (EL)“Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, [ag]thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, (EM)“What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 (EN)For from within, out of the heart of men, (EO)proceed evil thoughts, (EP)adulteries, (EQ)fornications, murders, 22 thefts, (ER)covetousness, wickedness, (ES)deceit, (ET)lewdness, an evil eye, (EU)blasphemy, (EV)pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

A Gentile Shows Her Faith(EW)

24 (EX)From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre [ah]and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be (EY)hidden. 25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and (EZ)fell at His feet. 26 The woman was a [ai]Greek, a [aj]Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept [ak]asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”

30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute(FA)

31 (FB)Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. 32 Then (FC)they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33 And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and (FD)He spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then, (FE)looking up to heaven, (FF)He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

35 (FG)Immediately his ears were opened, and the [al]impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then (FH)He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 And they were (FI)astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He (FJ)makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Feeding the Four Thousand(FK)

In those days, (FL)the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, “I have (FM)compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.”

Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?”

(FN)He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”

And they said, “Seven.”

So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. They also had a few small fish; and (FO)having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, 10 (FP)immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

The Pharisees Seek a Sign(FQ)

11 (FR)Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. 12 But He (FS)sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, (FT)no sign shall be given to this generation.”

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod(FU)

13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. 14 (FV)Now [am]the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15 (FW)Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the [an]leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? (FX)Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart [ao]still hardened? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 (FY)When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

They said to Him, “Twelve.”

20 “Also, (FZ)when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

And they said, “Seven.”

21 So He said to them, “How is it (GA)you do not understand?”

A Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida

22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a (GB)blind man to Him, and begged Him to (GC)touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when (GD)He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, [ap]“Neither go into the town, (GE)nor tell anyone in the town.”

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ(GF)

27 (GG)Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

28 So they answered, (GH)“John the Baptist; but some say, (GI)Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered and said to Him, (GJ)“You are the Christ.”

30 (GK)Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection(GL)

31 And (GM)He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be (GN)rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be (GO)killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He (GP)rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not [aq]mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him(GQ)

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, (GR)“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For (GS)whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 (GT)For whoever (GU)is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 4:4 NU, M omit of the air
  2. Mark 4:7 Lit. fruit
  3. Mark 4:9 NU, M omit to them
  4. Mark 4:11 secret or hidden truths
  5. Mark 4:20 receive
  6. Mark 4:26 sow
  7. Mark 4:39 Lit. Be quiet
  8. Mark 4:40 NU Have you still no faith?
  9. Mark 5:1 NU Gerasenes
  10. Mark 5:3 NU adds anymore
  11. Mark 5:7 adjure
  12. Mark 5:13 NU He gave
  13. Mark 5:20 Lit. Ten Cities
  14. Mark 5:29 suffering
  15. Mark 5:38 an uproar
  16. Mark 6:11 NU whatever place
  17. Mark 6:11 NU omits the rest of v. 11.
  18. Mark 6:15 NU, M a prophet, like one
  19. Mark 6:19 held a grudge
  20. Mark 6:20 NU was very perplexed, yet
  21. Mark 6:33 NU, M they
  22. Mark 6:36 NU something to eat and omits the rest of v. 36.
  23. Mark 6:44 NU, M omit about
  24. Mark 6:45 invited, strongly urged
  25. Mark 6:50 Take courage
  26. Mark 6:54 Lit. they
  27. Mark 7:2 NU omits when
  28. Mark 7:2 NU omits they found fault
  29. Mark 7:3 Lit. with the fist
  30. Mark 7:8 NU omits the rest of v. 8.
  31. Mark 7:9 set aside
  32. Mark 7:16 NU omits v. 16.
  33. Mark 7:19 NU sets off the final phrase as Mark’s comment that Jesus has declared all foods clean.
  34. Mark 7:24 NU omits and Sidon
  35. Mark 7:26 Gentile
  36. Mark 7:26 A Syrian of Phoenicia
  37. Mark 7:26 begging
  38. Mark 7:35 Lit. bond
  39. Mark 8:14 NU, M they
  40. Mark 8:15 yeast
  41. Mark 8:17 NU omits still
  42. Mark 8:26 NU “Do not even go into the town.”
  43. Mark 8:33 setting your mind on

The Parable of the Sower(A)(B)

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake.(C) The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. He taught them many things by parables,(D) and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.(E) As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”(F)

Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”(G)

10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God(H) has been given to you. But to those on the outside(I) everything is said in parables 12 so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
    and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’[a](J)

13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word.(K) 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan(L) comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth(M) and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

A Lamp on a Stand

21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?(N) 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.(O) 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”(P)

24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.(Q) 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”(R)

The Parable of the Growing Seed

26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like.(S) A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”(T)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed(U)

30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like,(V) or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.(W) 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable.(X) But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Jesus Calms the Storm(Y)

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.(Z) There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”(AA)

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man(AB)(AC)

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.[b] When Jesus got out of the boat,(AD) a man with an impure spirit(AE) came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me,(AF) Jesus, Son of the Most High God?(AG) In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“My name is Legion,”(AH) he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion(AI) of demons,(AJ) sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them(AK) how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis[c](AL) how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman(AM)

21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake,(AN) a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.(AO) 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders,(AP) named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on(AQ) her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding(AR) for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes,(AS) I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.(AT)

30 At once Jesus realized that power(AU) had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’

32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.(AV) Go in peace(AW) and be freed from your suffering.”

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader.(AX) “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing[d] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.(AY) 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader,(AZ) Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.”(BA) 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand(BB) and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).(BC) 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this,(BD) and told them to give her something to eat.

A Prophet Without Honor(BE)

Jesus left there and went to his hometown,(BF) accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came,(BG) he began to teach in the synagogue,(BH) and many who heard him were amazed.(BI)

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[e] Judas and Simon?(BJ) Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.(BK)

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”(BL) He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on(BM) a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve(BN)

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.(BO) Calling the Twelve to him,(BP) he began to send them out two by two(BQ) and gave them authority over impure spirits.(BR)

These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet(BS) as a testimony against them.”

12 They went out and preached that people should repent.(BT) 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil(BU) and healed them.

John the Baptist Beheaded(BV)(BW)

14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,[f] “John the Baptist(BX) has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

15 Others said, “He is Elijah.”(BY)

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet,(BZ) like one of the prophets of long ago.”(CA)

16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison.(CB) He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”(CC) 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.(CD) When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled[g]; yet he liked to listen to him.

21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet(CE) for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.(CF) 22 When the daughter of[h] Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”(CG)

24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(CH)(CI)

30 The apostles(CJ) gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.(CK) 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,(CL) he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat(CM) to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.(CN) So he began teaching them many things.

35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”(CO)

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages[i]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”(CP)

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.(CQ) Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Jesus Walks on the Water(CR)(CS)

45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat(CT) and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida,(CU) while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.(CV)

47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost.(CW) They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”(CX) 51 Then he climbed into the boat(CY) with them, and the wind died down.(CZ) They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.(DA)

53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there.(DB) 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak,(DC) and all who touched it were healed.

That Which Defiles(DD)

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled,(DE) that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.(DF) When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[j])(DG)

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders(DH) instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.’[k](DI)

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”(DJ)

And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[l] your own traditions!(DK) 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[m](DL) and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[n](DM) 11 But you say(DN) that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God(DO) by your tradition(DP) that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” [16] [o]

17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him(DQ) about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods(DR) clean.)(DS)

20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed,(DT) malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith(DU)

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[p](DV) He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit(DW) came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man(DX)

31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre(DY) and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee(DZ) and into the region of the Decapolis.[q](EA) 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk,(EB) and they begged Jesus to place his hand on(EC) him.

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit(ED) and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven(EE) and with a deep sigh(EF) said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.(EG)

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone.(EH) But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand(EI)(EJ)(EK)

During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people;(EL) they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied.

He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.(EM) The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.(EN) About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.(EO) 12 He sighed deeply(EP) and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast(EQ) of the Pharisees(ER) and that of Herod.”(ES)

16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?(ET) 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,”(EU) they replied.

20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”(EV)

21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”(EW)

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida

22 They came to Bethsaida,(EX) and some people brought a blind man(EY) and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit(EZ) on the man’s eyes and put his hands on(FA) him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[r] the village.”

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah(FB)

27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;(FC) others say Elijah;(FD) and still others, one of the prophets.”

29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”(FE)

30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.(FF)

Jesus Predicts His Death(FG)

31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man(FH) must suffer many things(FI) and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,(FJ) and that he must be killed(FK) and after three days(FL) rise again.(FM) 32 He spoke plainly(FN) about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!”(FO) he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

The Way of the Cross

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.(FP) 35 For whoever wants to save their life[s] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.(FQ) 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man(FR) will be ashamed of them(FS) when he comes(FT) in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 4:12 Isaiah 6:9,10
  2. Mark 5:1 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; other manuscripts Gergesenes
  3. Mark 5:20 That is, the Ten Cities
  4. Mark 5:36 Or Ignoring
  5. Mark 6:3 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph
  6. Mark 6:14 Some early manuscripts He was saying
  7. Mark 6:20 Some early manuscripts he did many things
  8. Mark 6:22 Some early manuscripts When his daughter
  9. Mark 6:37 Greek take two hundred denarii
  10. Mark 7:4 Some early manuscripts pitchers, kettles and dining couches
  11. Mark 7:7 Isaiah 29:13
  12. Mark 7:9 Some manuscripts set up
  13. Mark 7:10 Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16
  14. Mark 7:10 Exodus 21:17; Lev. 20:9
  15. Mark 7:16 Some manuscripts include here the words of 4:23.
  16. Mark 7:24 Many early manuscripts Tyre and Sidon
  17. Mark 7:31 That is, the Ten Cities
  18. Mark 8:26 Some manuscripts go and tell anyone in
  19. Mark 8:35 The Greek word means either life or soul; also in verses 36 and 37.