Mark 4:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔχουσιν
have
G2192
ἔχουσιν
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
3 of 19
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἑαυτοῖς
themselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
themselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
6 of 19
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἀλλὰ
and
G235
ἀλλὰ
and
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
εἶτα
afterward
G1534
εἶτα
afterward
Strong's:
G1534
Word #:
10 of 19
a particle of succession (in time or logical enumeration), then, moreover
γενομένης
ariseth
G1096
γενομένης
ariseth
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
11 of 19
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
διὰ
for
G1223
διὰ
for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
15 of 19
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
the word's sake
G3056
λόγον
the word's sake
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
17 of 19
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
Cross References
Matthew 11:6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.Revelation 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.Matthew 12:31Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.Revelation 2:13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.Hebrews 10:29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?Job 19:28But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?1 John 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.Matthew 13:21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.John 8:31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;Luke 12:10And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
Historical Context
Early Christians faced family rejection, social ostracism, economic loss, imprisonment, and martyrdom. These trials exposed false professors who lacked genuine conversion. Church history records this pattern: persecution purifies church by removing nominal believers while strengthening genuine faith. The promise of persecution (2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:20) means testing is normal Christian experience. Some fall away proves they were never truly born again (1 John 2:19); others persevere, demonstrating genuine faith. Apostasy reveals counterfeit profession, not loss of genuine salvation.
Questions for Reflection
- What trials or opposition have revealed areas where your faith lacks depth?
- How can you prepare for certain persecution and trials rather than expecting only blessing?
- What distinguishes those who endure trials from those who fall away?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus continues: '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.' The phrase 'no root in themselves' (οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς) indicates lack of internal reality—profession without regeneration, enthusiasm without transformation. They 'endure but for a time' (πρόσκαιροί εἰσιν)—temporary, not permanent. Testing reveals rootlessness: 'affliction or persecution' (θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ) refers to pressure and active opposition 'for the word's sake' (διὰ τὸν λόγον). The result: 'immediately they are offended' (εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζονται)—they stumble, fall away, apostatize.