Mark 4

King James Version

Full text for Mark Chapter 4

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.

2And 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.›

9And he said unto them, ‹He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.›

10And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

11And 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.›

13And 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.›

24And 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.›

26And 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.›

30And 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.›

33And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear [it].

34But 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.›

36And 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.

37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38And 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?

39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‹Peace, be still.› And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40And he said unto them, ‹Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?›

41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jesus teaches by the sea, using the parable of the sower to illustrate how people receive the word of God. He explains the purpose of parables to his disciples, revealing that truth is meant to be manifested. Jesus further describes the growth of the Kingdom of God through the parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed. The chapter concludes with Jesus calming a violent storm on the sea, demonstrating his authority over nature and questioning his disciples' lack of faith.

Medium Summary

Jesus begins teaching by the sea, using the parable of the sower to describe different responses to the word of God, from those who lose it to Satan, to those who receive it but wither under affliction, to those choked by worldly cares, and finally to those who bear much fruit. He explains to his disciples that parables reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to them, while obscuring understanding for others. Jesus also teaches about the candle, implying that truth will be revealed, and the importance of attentive hearing. He further illustrates the kingdom's growth through the parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed, showing its humble beginnings and ultimate expansion. Jesus consistently taught the multitude in parables but expounded all things privately to his disciples. The chapter concludes with Jesus and his disciples crossing the sea. A great storm arises, and Jesus, after being awakened, rebukes the wind and sea, bringing a great calm. He then questions his disciples' fear and lack of faith in his presence.

Long Summary

Mark chapter 4 opens with Jesus teaching a great multitude by the sea, from a ship. He delivers the parable of the sower, describing how seed falls on four types of ground: the wayside, stony ground, thorny ground, and good ground, yielding varying results from being devoured to producing abundant fruit. Afterward, when alone with his disciples, Jesus explains that parables are given to them to understand the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to outsiders, they serve to obscure, preventing conversion and forgiveness. He then interprets the parable of the sower, identifying the seed as the word, and the different grounds as individuals who either have the word taken by Satan, receive it with joy but lack root and wither under affliction, or are choked by worldly cares and riches, or finally, hear and receive the word, bearing much fruit. Jesus continues with the parable of the candle, asserting that truth is meant to be revealed, not hidden. He also emphasizes the principle of attentive hearing, stating that more will be given to those who hear well, and from those who have not, even what they have will be taken. Two more parables illustrate the kingdom of God: the growing seed, which grows mysteriously by itself to harvest, and the mustard seed, which, though the smallest, grows into the largest herb, providing shelter. Jesus consistently spoke in parables to the multitude but expounded all things privately to his disciples. The chapter concludes dramatically as Jesus and his disciples embark on a boat journey. A great storm arises, filling the ship with water, while Jesus sleeps. His terrified disciples awaken him, questioning his apparent lack of care. Jesus rises, rebukes the wind and the sea, commanding "Peace, be still," and a great calm ensues. He then rebukes his disciples for their fear and lack of faith, leaving them in awe of his authority over creation.

Core Concepts

  • Parable of the SowerJesus uses this parable to illustrate how the 'word' (God's message) is received by different people, with outcomes ranging from immediate loss to abundant fruitfulness based on the condition of their hearts.
  • Purpose of ParablesJesus explains that parables serve to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of God to his disciples, while simultaneously obscuring understanding for those outside, preventing their conversion and forgiveness.
  • The Word and Its ReceptionThe chapter details various responses to the 'word' – some hear but Satan takes it, others receive it with joy but lack depth and wither under trials, some are choked by worldly concerns, and others genuinely receive it and bear much fruit.
  • Growth of the KingdomIllustrated by the parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed, the Kingdom of God begins subtly and small, but possesses an inherent, mysterious power to grow into something vast and influential.
  • Truth RevealedThe parable of the candle suggests that the truths of the Kingdom, though sometimes veiled in parables, are ultimately intended to be manifested and understood, not kept secret.
  • Authority Over NatureJesus demonstrates his divine power by rebuking a violent storm, bringing immediate calm to the wind and sea, which profoundly impresses his disciples and highlights his sovereignty over creation.
  • Faith and FearThe disciples' reaction to the storm and Jesus' subsequent calming of it underscore a contrast between their fear and Jesus' expectation of their faith, prompting his question about their lack of belief.