Mark 4
New King James Version
The Parable of the Sower(A)
4 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. 2 Then He taught them many things by parables, (C)and said to them in His teaching:
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds [a]of the air came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have 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 seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no [b]crop. 8 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.”
9 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!”
Marcos 4
La Palabra (Hispanoamérica)
Parábola del sembrador (Mt 13,1-9; Lc 8,4-8)
4 De nuevo comenzó Jesús a enseñar a la orilla del lago. Y se le reunió tanta gente que decidió subir a una barca que estaba en el lago y sentarse en ella, mientras la gente permanecía junto al lago en tierra firme. 2 Entonces Jesús se puso a enseñarles muchas cosas por medio de parábolas. Les decía en su enseñanza:
3 — Escuchen: Una vez, un sembrador salió a sembrar. 4 Al lanzar la semilla, una parte cayó al borde del camino y llegaron los pájaros y se la comieron. 5 Otra parte cayó entre las piedras, donde había poca tierra; y como la tierra no era profunda, la semilla brotó muy pronto; 6 pero en cuanto salió el sol, se agostó y, al no tener raíz, se secó. 7 Otra parte de la semilla cayó entre cardos, y los cardos crecieron y la ahogaron sin dejarle que diera fruto. 8 Otra parte, en fin, cayó en tierra fértil y germinó y creció y dio fruto: unas espigas dieron grano al treinta; otras, al sesenta; y otras al ciento por uno.
9 Jesús añadió:
— Quien pueda entender esto, que lo entienda.
El porqué de las parábolas (Mt 13,10-17; Lc 8,9-10)
10 Cuando Jesús se quedó a solas, los que lo rodeaban, junto con los Doce, le preguntaron por el significado de las parábolas. 11 Les dijo:
— A ustedes, Dios les permite conocer el secreto de su reino; pero a los otros, los de fuera, todo les llega por medio de parábolas, 12 para que, aunque miren, no vean; y aunque escuchen, no entiendan, no sea que se conviertan y sean perdonados.
Explicación de la parábola del sembrador (Mt 13,18-23; Lc 8,11-15)
13 Y Jesús continuó:
— ¿No comprenden esta parábola? Entonces, ¿cómo comprenderán todas las demás? 14 El sembrador representa al que anuncia el mensaje. 15 Hay quienes son como la semilla que cayó al borde del camino: escuchan el mensaje, pero luego llega Satanás y se lleva lo que ya estaba sembrado en ellos. 16 Otros son como la semilla que cayó entre las piedras: oyen el mensaje y de momento lo reciben con alegría; 17 pero no tienen raíces y son volubles; así que, cuando les llegan las pruebas o persecuciones a causa del propio mensaje, en seguida sucumben. 18 Otros son como la semilla que cayó entre los cardos: oyen el mensaje, 19 pero los problemas de la vida, el apego a las riquezas y otras apetencias, llegan y lo ahogan de manera que no da fruto. 20 Otros, en fin, son como la semilla que cayó en tierra fértil: oyen el mensaje, lo reciben y dan fruto al treinta, al sesenta o al ciento por uno.
La lámpara y la medida (Mt 5,15; Lc 8,16-18; 11,33)
21 También les dijo:
— ¿Acaso se enciende una lámpara para taparla con una vasija o meterla debajo de la cama? ¿No se la enciende, más bien, para ponerla en el candelero? 22 Pues nada hay escondido que no haya de ser descubierto, ni hay nada hecho en secreto que no haya de salir a la luz. 23 Si alguien puede entender esto, que lo entienda.
24 También les dijo:
— Presten atención a lo que oigan: Dios los medirá con la misma medida con que ustedes midan a los demás, y lo hará con creces. 25 Porque al que tiene, se le dará más todavía; pero al que no tiene, hasta lo que tenga se le quitará.
La semilla que germina y crece por sí sola
26 También dijo:
— Con el reino de Dios sucede lo mismo que con la semilla que un hombre siembra en la tierra: 27 tanto si duerme como si está despierto, así de noche como de día, la semilla germina y crece, aunque él no sepa cómo. 28 La tierra, por sí misma, la lleva a dar fruto: primero brota la hierba, luego se forma la espiga y, por último, el grano que llena la espiga. 29 Y cuando el grano ya está en sazón, en seguida se mete la hoz, porque ha llegado el tiempo de la cosecha.
Parábola de la semilla de mostaza (Mt 13,31-32; Lc 13,18-19)
30 También dijo:
— ¿A qué compararemos el reino de Dios? ¿Con qué parábola lo representaremos? 31 Es como el grano de mostaza, que, cuando se siembra, es la más pequeña de todas las semillas de la tierra; 32 pero una vez sembrado, crece más que todas las otras plantas y echa ramas tan grandes que a su sombra anidan los pájaros.
Conclusión de la enseñanza en parábolas (Mt 13,34)
33 Con estas y otras muchas parábolas les anunciaba Jesús el mensaje, en la medida en que podían comprenderlo. 34 Y sin parábolas no les decía nada. Luego, a solas, se lo explicaba todo a sus discípulos.
Jesús apacigua una tempestad (Mt 8,23-27; Lc 8,22-25)
35 Ese mismo día, al anochecer, Jesús dijo a sus discípulos:
— Vayamos a la otra orilla del lago.
36 En seguida, dejando allí a la gente, lo llevaron en la barca tal como estaba. Otras barcas iban con él. 37 De pronto, se levantó una gran tormenta de viento. Las olas azotaban la barca que comenzó a inundarse. 38 Jesús, entretanto, estaba en la popa durmiendo sobre un cabezal. Los discípulos lo despertaron, diciendo:
— Maestro, ¿no te importa que estemos a punto de perecer?
39 Jesús se incorporó, increpó al viento y dijo al lago:
— ¡Silencio! ¡Cállate!
El viento cesó y todo quedó en calma. 40 Entonces les dijo:
— ¿A qué viene ese miedo? ¿Dónde está vuestra fe?
41 Pero ellos seguían aterrados, preguntándose unos a otros:
— ¿Quién es este, que hasta el viento y el lago le obedecen?
Mark 4
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?
Mark 4
English Standard Version
The Parable of the Sower
4 Again (A)he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, (B)so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. 2 And (C)he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 3 “Listen! Behold, (D)a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And (E)when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, (F)it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among (G)thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and (H)a hundredfold.” 9 And he said, (I)“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
The Purpose of the Parables
10 And (J)when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, (K)“To you has been given (L)the secret of the kingdom of God, but for (M)those outside everything is in parables, 12 (N)so that
“‘they (O)may indeed see but not perceive,
and may indeed hear but not understand,
lest they (P)should turn and be forgiven.’”
13 (Q)And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 (R)The sower sows (S)the word. 15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it (T)with joy. 17 And they have no root in themselves, but (U)endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately (V)they fall away.[a] 18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, 19 but (W)the cares of (X)the world and (Y)the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and (Z)bear fruit, (AA)thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
A Lamp Under a Basket
21 (AB)And he said to them, (AC)“Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? 22 (AD)For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 (AE)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: (AF)with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 25 (AG)For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
The Parable of the Seed Growing
26 And he said, (AH)“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; (AI)he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once (AJ)he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 (AK)And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like (AL)a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
33 (AM)With many such parables he spoke (AN)the word to them, (AO)as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them (AP)without a parable, but (AQ)privately to his own disciples he (AR)explained everything.
Jesus Calms a Storm
35 (AS)On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves (AT)were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and (AU)rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and (AV)there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you (AW)so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, (AX)“Who then is this, that even (AY)the wind and the sea obey him?”
Footnotes
- Mark 4:17 Or stumble
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
La Palabra, (versión hispanoamericana) © 2010 Texto y Edición, Sociedad Bíblica de España
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
