Mark 4:27

Authorized King James Version

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And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καθεύδῃ should sleep G2518
καθεύδῃ should sleep
Strong's: G2518
Word #: 2 of 17
to lie down to rest, i.e., (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 3 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγείρηται rise G1453
ἐγείρηται rise
Strong's: G1453
Word #: 4 of 17
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
νύκτα night G3571
νύκτα night
Strong's: G3571
Word #: 5 of 17
"night" (literally or figuratively)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 6 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡμέραν day G2250
ἡμέραν day
Strong's: G2250
Word #: 7 of 17
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 8 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπόρος the seed G4703
σπόρος the seed
Strong's: G4703
Word #: 10 of 17
a scattering (of seed), i.e., (concretely) seed (as sown)
βλαστάνῃ should spring G985
βλαστάνῃ should spring
Strong's: G985
Word #: 11 of 17
to germinate; by implication, to yield fruit
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 12 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μηκύνηται grow up G3373
μηκύνηται grow up
Strong's: G3373
Word #: 13 of 17
to lengthen, i.e., (middle voice) to enlarge
ὡς how G5613
ὡς how
Strong's: G5613
Word #: 14 of 17
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
οὐκ not G3756
οὐκ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 15 of 17
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
οἶδεν knoweth G1492
οἶδεν knoweth
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 16 of 17
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτός he G846
αὐτός he
Strong's: G846
Word #: 17 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus continues: 'And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.' The farmer's normal routine ('sleep, rise night and day') continues while mysterious growth occurs. The phrase 'he knoweth not how' (ὡς οὐκ οἶδεν αὐτός) emphasizes human ignorance of growth mechanics. Ancient farmers couldn't explain biology, photosynthesis, or cellular reproduction—they trusted seed's life-force. Spiritually, ministers don't fully understand how the Spirit regenerates hearts, but they trust God's word's power. This guards against both taking credit for results and despairing over lack of visible fruit. Growth is mysterious, gradual, and ultimately God's work.

Historical Context

Agricultural mystery was profound before modern biology. Farmers observed growth without understanding mechanisms—germination, cellular division, photosynthesis remained unknown. They trusted empirical observation: seeds planted properly would grow. Jesus applies this to spiritual realm: conversion and sanctification involve mysterious Spirit-work beyond human comprehension or control. The Reformers emphasized this against Roman Catholic teaching that sacraments automatically conferred grace ex opere operato. True conversion is Spirit's mysterious, sovereign work, not mechanical result of religious ritual. Church history records unexpected conversions and revivals that mystified human observers.

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