Font Size
Mark 4:20-22
The Voice
Mark 4:20-22
The Voice
20 But those last seeds—those sown into good soil? Those people hear the word, accept it, meditate on it, act on it, and bear fruit—a crop 30, 60, or 100 times larger than the farmer dropped to earth.
Jesus’ teaching often includes parables: stories that explain the truth about the Kingdom with examples from everyday life. Considering that most of His listeners know about farming, it’s no wonder most of Jesus’ parables are based on agricultural realities.
Parables like this force Jesus’ listeners to think about the kingdom of God differently. He challenges their ideas, and He also knows they are unlikely to forget it. When they see farmers broadcasting their seeds, they will remember this parable and ponder the mysteries of the Kingdom. It never seems to bother Him that people are confused by His teaching. He doesn’t expect them to understand everything; He wants them to wrestle with His teachings so His words will sit in their hearts and germinate—much like the seed sitting in good soil that eventually grows to bear fruit.
Jesus: 21 When you bring a lamp into the house, do you put it under a box or stuff it under your bed? Or do you set it on top of a table or chest? 22 Those things that are hidden are meant to be revealed, and what is concealed is meant to be brought out where its light can shine.
Mark 4:20-22
New International Version
Mark 4:20-22
New International Version
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?(A) 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.(B)
Mark 4:20-22
New King James Version
Mark 4:20-22
New King James Version
20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, [a]accept it, and bear (A)fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
Light Under a Basket(B)
21 (C)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 (D)For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Mark 4:20 receive
Mark 4:20-22
English Standard Version
Mark 4:20-22
English Standard Version
20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and (A)bear fruit, (B)thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
A Lamp Under a Basket
21 (C)And he said to them, (D)“Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? 22 (E)For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.
Read full chapter
The Voice (VOICE)
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.