Mark 4
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 4
The Parables—A Veiled Language[a]
The Parable of the Sower. 1 On another occasion he began to teach by the side of the lake. However, such a large crowd gathered that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while the whole crowd gathered on the shore facing the lake. 2 Then he taught them many things in parables.
In the course of his teaching, he said to them: 3 “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 As he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. It sprouted quickly, since the soil had no depth, 6 but when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it lacked roots, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop. 8 But some seed fell onto rich soil and brought forth grain, increasing and yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundred times what was sown.” 9 He then added, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
10 The Reason for Parables. When he was alone, the Twelve and his other companions asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “To you has been granted knowledge of the mysteries[b] of the kingdom of God, but to those outside, everything comes in parables, 12 so that
‘they may look and see but not perceive,
and hear and listen but fail to understand,
lest they be converted and be forgiven.’ ”[c]
13 The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower.[d] He went on to say to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then are you to understand any of the parables? 14 What the sower is sowing is the word.
15 “Some people are like seed that falls along the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan immediately comes and carries off the word that has been sown in them.
16 “Others are like the seed sown on rocky ground. As soon as they hear the word they immediately receive it with joy. 17 But they have no deep root and they endure for only a short time. When some trial or tribulation arises on account of the word, they immediately fall away.
18 “Those sown among thorns are the ones who hear the word, 19 but worldly cares, the lure of riches, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.
20 “But those sown in rich soil are those who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit and yield thirty or sixty or a hundred times what was sown.”
21 The Parable of the Lamp.[e] He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? To the contrary, it is placed on a lampstand. 22 For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing is secret that will not be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”
24 The Parable of the Measure.[f] He also told them, “Pay careful attention to what you hear. The measure you give will be the measure you will receive, and you will receive more in addition. 25 To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who does not have, even what little he has will be taken away.”[g]
26 The Parable of the Secretly Growing Seed.[h] He went on to say, “The kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he sleeps and while he is awake, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not understand how. 28 The ground produces fruit of its own accord—first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the crop is ripe, he immediately stretches out the sickle, because the time for harvest has come.”
30 The Parable of the Mustard Seed.[i] He then said, “With what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to explain it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the greatest of all plants, and it puts forth large branches so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
33 The Usefulness of Parables.[j] With many such parables as these he spoke the word to them so far as they were able to comprehend it. 34 He never spoke to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were by themselves.
Jesus Overcomes Evil and Effects Salvation[k]
35 Jesus Calms the Storm.[l] On that day, as evening approached, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 And so, leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. Some other boats joined them.
37 Suddenly, a great storm came up, and the waves were crashing over the boat so that it was almost swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They awakened him and said, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then he stood up and rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so frightened? Are you still without faith?” 41 They were filled with awe and said to one another, “Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.”
Footnotes
- Mark 4:1 Mark has, so to speak, his own “theory of parables,” which he here places on the lips of Jesus. In his view, parables were and remained enigmatic: their meaning was clear only to the disciples, those who really “heard” Jesus (“hear” is the key word in these texts) and believed in him. See notes on Mt 13:1-51; 13:3a; 13:3b-9; 13:10-15.
- Mark 4:11 Mysteries: see note on Mt 13:11.
- Mark 4:12 The citation is from Isa 6:9-10. Acts (28:26-27) and Romans (11:7-16, 29-32) cite the same passage of Isaiah to show that the rejection by the people of the Covenant had been foretold and that God’s plan cannot be checkmated by the defection of human beings. It is not that God wants them to reject the word. They do that on their own because they do not want to receive God’s forgiveness.
- Mark 4:13 See note on Mt 13:18-23.
- Mark 4:21 Just as a lamp is placed to provide light, not to hide it, so Jesus, the light of the world, is destined to be revealed.
- Mark 4:24 As an example of the way in which the sayings of Jesus were handed on, we may observe that the parable about measure is applied here to the reception of the “word,” but is used in Matthew (7:2) and Luke (6:38) with reference to judgment of one’s brother or sister.
- Mark 4:25 To the one who has, more will be given. . . : one of the meanings of this text is that those who appropriate the truth more will receive more truth in the future; however, those who do not respond to what little truth they may know already will not profit even from that amount.
- Mark 4:26 This parable, the only one peculiar to Mark, illustrates his idea of the power of the Gospel. The term harvest is an image of the judgment (see Joel 4:13; Rev 14:15).
- Mark 4:30 See notes on Mt 13:31-32 and 13:32.
- Mark 4:33 These words mitigate and partly explain the warning in v. 12. Jesus with his parables adapted himself to the imaginative eastern mentality, without running afoul of the susceptibility of that people who were still stubbornly attached to the idea of a triumphal Messiah. He offered the possibility of reflections and further elucidations.
- Mark 4:35 The so-called “Parables of the Lake” are followed by a characteristic grouping of four miracles, which demonstrate the evangelist’s Christological intention. With his merciful power, Jesus appears as the Master of natural elements, demons, sickness, and death itself. The section gives a very accurate selection of prodigies worked by the Savior. The accounts are possibly pre-Marcan, and they have been endowed by the evangelist with a particularly vivid narrative taken from the preaching of Peter. These are the so-called “Miracles of the Lake.”
- Mark 4:35 See note on Mt 8:23-27.
Markusevangeliet 4
Svenska Folkbibeln 2015
Liknelsen om såningsmannen
4 (A) Sedan började han undervisa vid sjön igen. Då samlades så mycket folk runt honom att han steg i en båt och satt i den ute på sjön medan allt folket stod på stranden. 2 (B) Han lärde dem mycket i liknelser, och i sin undervisning sade han till dem:
3 (C) "Lyssna! En såningsman gick ut för att så. 4 När han sådde föll en del vid vägen, och fåglarna kom och åt upp det. 5 En del föll på stenig mark där det inte hade mycket mylla, och det kom upp snabbt eftersom det inte hade djup jord. 6 Men när solen steg sveddes det, och eftersom det saknade rot vissnade det bort. 7 En del föll bland tistlar, och tistlarna sköt upp och kvävde det så att det inte gav någon skörd. 8 Men en del föll i god jord, och det sköt upp och växte och gav skörd, trettiofalt och sextiofalt och hundrafalt[a]." 9 Och han sade: "Hör, du som har öron att höra med!"
10 (D) När han blev ensam, frågade de tolv och de andra som var med honom om liknelserna. 11 Då sade han till dem: "Ni har fått del i Guds rikes hemlighet. Men de som står utanför får allt i liknelser, 12 (E) för att de ska se och se och ändå inte se, och höra och höra och ändå inte förstå, så att de inte vänder om och får förlåtelse."[b]
Liknelsens innebörd
13 Han sade sedan till dem: "Förstår ni inte den här liknelsen? Hur ska ni då kunna förstå några liknelser alls? 14 Såningsmannen sår ordet. 15 De vid vägen är de hos vilka ordet sås, men när de hör det kommer genast Satan och tar bort ordet som är sått i dem. 16 De som sås på stenig mark är de som genast tar emot ordet med glädje när de hör det, 17 men de har ingen rot inom sig utan tror bara för en tid. När de sedan möter lidande eller förföljelse för ordets skull så kommer de genast på fall. 18 Hos andra sås säden bland tistlar. Det är de som hör ordet, 19 (F) men världsliga bekymmer, bedräglig rikedom och begär efter annat kommer in och kväver ordet så att det blir utan frukt. 20 Men de hos vilka säden faller i god jord, det är de som hör ordet och tar emot det och bär frukt, trettiofalt och sextiofalt och hundrafalt."
21 (G) Han sade också till dem: "Ett ljus[c] bärs väl inte in för att sättas under skäppan[d] eller under bänken[e]? Sätter man det inte på hållaren? 22 (H) Det finns inget dolt som inte ska uppenbaras, och inget gömt som inte ska bli synligt. 23 Hör, du som har öron att höra med!"
24 (I) Och han sade: "Var noga med vad ni hör! Med det mått som ni mäter med ska det mätas upp åt er. Och ännu mer ska ni få, 25 (J) för den som har ska få, men den som inte har ska bli fråntagen också det han har."
Liknelsen om den växande säden
26 Jesus sade: "Guds rike är som när en man sår säd i jorden. 27 Han sover och stiger upp, natt blir dag och säden växer och skjuter i höjden, han vet inte hur. 28 Av sig själv ger jorden gröda: först strå, sedan ax och sedan moget vete i axet. 29 Och när grödan är mogen låter han genast skäran gå, för skördetiden är inne."
Liknelsen om senapskornet
30 (K) Han sade också: "Vad ska vi likna Guds rike vid? Vilken liknelse ska vi använda? 31 Det är som ett senapskorn[f]. När man sår det är det minst av alla frön på jorden. 32 Men när det blivit sått, växer det upp och blir större än alla andra köksväxter och får så stora grenar att himlens fåglar kan bygga bo i dess skugga."
33 Med många sådana liknelser predikade han ordet för dem, på ett sådant sätt att de kunde förstå[g]. 34 (L) Han talade bara i liknelser till dem. Men när han var ensam med sina lärjungar förklarade han allt.
Jesus stillar stormen
35 (M) På kvällen samma dag sade Jesus till sina lärjungar: "Vi far över till andra sidan." 36 De lämnade folket och tog med honom i båten som han var[h]. Även andra båtar följde med.
37 Då kom en stark stormvind, och vågorna slog in i båten så att den höll på att fyllas. 38 Själv låg han i aktern på en dyna och sov. De väckte honom och sade: "Mästare[i]! Bryr du dig inte om att vi går under?" 39 Han vaknade och talade strängt till vinden och sade till sjön: "Tig! Var tyst!" Då lade sig vinden och det blev alldeles stilla. 40 Han sade till dem: "Varför är ni rädda? Har ni fortfarande ingen tro?" 41 (N) Då greps de av stor fruktan och sade till varandra: "Vem är han? Till och med vinden och sjön lyder ju honom!"
Footnotes
- 4:8 hundrafalt En övernaturligt rik skörd (jfr 1 Mos 26:12). I förmodern tid har svenska skördar normalt gett mindre än tiofalt jämfört med utsädet.
- 4:12 Jes 6:9-10.
- 4:21 Ett ljus Traditionell översättning. Troligen en oljelampa (vaxljus uppfanns först senare).
- 4:21 skäppan Ett sädesmått om ca 9 liter.
- 4:21 bänken Annan översättning: "sängen" eller "divanen".
- 4:31 senapskorn Det minsta (1-2 mm) av alla frön som såddes av jordbrukare i Israels land. Senapsplantan (brassica nigra) kan fullvuxen nå en höjd av nästan tre meter.
- 4:33 på ett sådant sätt att de kunde förstå Annan översättning: "så mycket som de klarade att höra".
- 4:36 som han var Annan översättning: "där han var" (i båten från vilken han predikade, jfr vers 1).
- 4:38 Mästare Annan översättning: "Lärare" (hederstitel, jfr latinets "magister").
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?
Svenska Folkbibeln 2015, Copyright © 2015 by Svenska Folkbibeln Foundation