Mark 4:21-34

Christian Standard Bible

Using Your Light

²¹ He^(A) also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed?^(B) Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand?^{(C) 22} For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed,^(D) and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”^{(E) 24} And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure^(F) you use,^(G) it will be measured to you—and more will be added^(H) to you. ²⁵ For whoever has, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”^(I)

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ “The kingdom of God^(J) is like this,” he said. “A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ He sleeps^(K) and rises^(L) night^(M) and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how. ²⁸ The soil produces a crop^(N) by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the full grain^(O) on the head. ²⁹ As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle,^(P) because the harvest^(Q) has come.”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ And^(R) he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God,^(S) or what parable^(T) can we use to describe it? ³¹ It’s like a mustard seed^(U) that, when sown upon the soil, is the smallest of all the seeds on the ground. ³² And when sown,^(V) it comes up and grows taller than all the garden plants,^(W) and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky^(X) can nest in its shade.”

Using Parables

³³ He was speaking the word^(Y) to them with many parables^(Z) like these, as they were able to understand.^{(AA) 34} He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, he explained everything to his own disciples.^(AB)