Mark 4
The Parable of the Sower
1 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. Parallel theme: Mark 2:13, 3:7
2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Parallel theme: Mark 3:23, 4:11, Matthew 13:3, 13:10
3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 4:1, Matthew 13:26, James 2:5
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: Parallel theme: Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26, Amos 6:12, Luke 8:6, 8:13
6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Parallel theme: Isaiah 25:4, Jonah 4:8, Ephesians 3:17, Colossians 2:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, James 1:11, Jude 1:12, Revelation 7:16 +3
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. Good: Mark 4:20, Matthew 13:8. Parallel theme: Genesis 26:12, Jeremiah 23:29, John 15:5, Acts 17:11, Colossians 1:6 +2
9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Parallel theme: Mark 4:3, Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 15:10, Luke 8:18, Revelation 3:6, 3:13, 3:22 +3
The Purpose of the Parables
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. Sin: Acts 3:19. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 29:4, Isaiah 44:18, Jeremiah 5:21, Ezekiel 12:2, Luke 8:10, 2 Timothy 2:25, Hebrews 6:6 +3
13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? Parallel theme: Luke 24:25, Revelation 3:19
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. Word: Matthew 13:21, Luke 12:10, John 8:31. Parallel theme: Job 19:28, Matthew 11:6, 12:31, Hebrews 10:29, 1 John 2:19, Revelation 2:10, 2:13 +5
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 wordWord: λόγος (Logos). The Greek Logos (Λόγος) means word, reason, or message—the rational principle underlying reality. John identifies Christ as the eternal Logos: 'In the beginning was the Word' (John 1:1)., 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.
A Lamp Under a Basket
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. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 12:14, Luke 8:17, Acts 4:20, 20:27, 1 Corinthians 4:5
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. Parallel theme: Mark 9:7, Proverbs 19:27, Isaiah 55:3, Matthew 7:2, Luke 8:18, John 5:25, 10:27, Acts 17:11, 2 Corinthians 9:6, Hebrews 2:1 +5
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. Parallel theme: Matthew 13:12, Luke 8:18, John 15:2
The Parable of the Growing Seed
26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; Kingdom: Matthew 13:24. References God: Luke 8:11. Parallel theme: Proverbs 11:18, Ecclesiastes 11:4, 11:6, Isaiah 32:20, Luke 8:5, John 12:24, James 3:18 +4
27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 8:17, 11:5, 2 Thessalonians 1:3
28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3:11, Isaiah 61:11, Hosea 6:3, Matthew 13:26, Philippians 1:6, Colossians 1:10 +2
29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. Parallel theme: Joel 3:13, Matthew 13:30
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally.? 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. Related: Song of Solomon 2:3. Parallel theme: Psalms 91:1, Proverbs 4:18, Isaiah 11:9, 32:2, Lamentations 4:20
33 And with many such parables spake he the wordWord: λόγος (Logos). The Greek Logos (Λόγος) means word, reason, or message—the rational principle underlying reality. John identifies Christ as the eternal Logos: 'In the beginning was the Word' (John 1:1). unto them, as they were able to hear it. Parallel theme: John 16:12
34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. Parallel theme: Mark 4:10, Luke 24:27, John 16:25
Jesus Calms the Storm
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. Parallel theme: Mark 3:9, 4:1, 5:2
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. Parallel theme: Mark 9:25, Exodus 14:22, Job 38:11, Psalms 29:10, 65:7, 89:9, 107:29, 148:8, Proverbs 8:29, Jeremiah 5:22 +5
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? Parallel theme: Mark 5:33, 1 Samuel 12:24, Job 38:11, Psalms 89:7, Matthew 8:27, 14:32, Luke 8:25 +2