Mark 4:13-29
Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Parable of the Sower Explained
13 Then(A) He said to them: “Don’t you understand this parable?(B) How then will you understand any of the parables? 14 The sower sows(C) the word.(D) 15 These[a] are the ones along the path(E) where the word is sown: when they hear, immediately Satan(F) comes and takes away the word(G) sown in them.[b] 16 And these are[c] the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy.(H) 17 But they have no root in themselves; they are short-lived. When pressure(I) or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately stumble.(J) 18 Others are sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word, 19 but the worries(K) of this age,(L) the seduction[d](M) of wealth,(N) and the desires(O) for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.(P) 20 But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word,(Q) welcome it, and produce a crop:(R) 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.”
Using Your Light
21 He(S) also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed?(T) Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand?(U) 22 For nothing is concealed except to be revealed,(V) and nothing hidden except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen!”(W) 24 Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure(X) you use,[e](Y) it will be measured and added(Z) to you. 25 For to the one who has, it will be given, and from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”(AA)
The Parable of the Growing Seed
26 “The kingdom of God(AB) is like this,” He said. “A man scatters seed on the ground; 27 he sleeps(AC) and rises(AD)—night(AE) and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—he doesn’t know how. 28 The soil produces a crop(AF) by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the ripe grain(AG) on the head. 29 But as soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle,(AH) because the harvest(AI) has come.”
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