Mark 4
New English Translation
The Parable of the Sower
4 Again he began to teach by the lake. Such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat[a] on the lake and sat there while[b] the whole crowd was on the shore by the lake. 2 He taught them many things in parables,[c] and in his teaching said to them: 3 “Listen! A sower went out to sow.[d] 4 And as he sowed, some seed[e] fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground[f] where it did not have much soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.[g] 6 When the sun came up it was scorched, and because it did not have sufficient root,[h] it withered. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns,[i] and they grew up and choked it,[j] and it did not produce grain. 8 But[k] other seed fell on good soil and produced grain, sprouting and growing; some yielded thirty times as much, some sixty, and some a hundred times.” 9 And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear had better listen!”[l]
The Purpose of Parables
10 When he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 He said to them, “The secret[m] of the kingdom of God[n] has been given[o] to you. But to those outside, everything is in parables,
12 so that although they look they may look but not see,
and although they hear they may hear but not understand,
so they may not repent and be forgiven.”[p]
13 He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? Then[q] how will you understand any parable? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: Whenever they hear, immediately Satan[r] comes and snatches the word[s] that was sown in them. 16 These are the ones sown on rocky ground: As soon as they hear the word, they receive it with joy. 17 But[t] they have no root in themselves and do not endure.[u] Then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away. 18 Others are the ones sown among thorns: They are those who hear the word, 19 but[v] worldly cares, the seductiveness of wealth,[w] and the desire for other things come in and choke the word,[x] and it produces nothing. 20 But[y] these are the ones sown on good soil: They hear the word and receive it and bear fruit, one thirty times as much, one sixty, and one a hundred.”
The Parable of the Lamp
21 He also said to them, “A lamp[z] isn’t brought to be put under a basket[aa] or under a bed, is it? Isn’t it to be placed on a lampstand? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be revealed,[ab] and nothing concealed except to be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, he had better listen!”[ac] 24 And he said to them, “Take care about what you hear. The measure you use will be the measure you receive,[ad] and more will be added to you. 25 For whoever has will be given more, but[ae] whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”[af]
The Parable of the Growing Seed
26 He also said, “The kingdom of God[ag] is like someone who spreads seed on the ground. 27 He goes to sleep and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 By itself the soil produces a crop, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain[ah] in the head. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he sends in the sickle[ai] because the harvest has come.”[aj]
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 He also asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God,[ak] or what parable can we use to present it? 31 It is like a mustard seed[al] that when sown in the ground, even though it is the smallest of all the seeds in the ground— 32 when it is sown, it grows up,[am] becomes the greatest of all garden plants, and grows large branches so that the wild birds[an] can nest in its shade.”[ao]
The Use of Parables
33 So[ap] with many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.
Stilling of a Storm
35 On that day, when evening came, Jesus[aq] said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.”[ar] 36 So[as] after leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat,[at] and other boats were with him. 37 Now[au] a great windstorm[av] developed and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped. 38 But[aw] he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” 39 So[ax] he got up and rebuked[ay] the wind, and said to the sea,[az] “Be quiet! Calm down!” Then[ba] the wind stopped, and it was dead calm. 40 And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?” 41 They were overwhelmed by fear and said to one another, “Who then is this?[bb] Even the wind and sea obey him!”[bc]
Footnotes
- Mark 4:1 sn See the note at Mark 1:19 for a description of the first-century fishing boat discovered in 1986 near Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.
- Mark 4:1 tn Grk “and all the crowd.” The clause in this phrase, although coordinate in terms of grammar, is logically subordinate to the previous clause.
- Mark 4:2 sn Though parables can contain a variety of figures of speech (cf. 2:19-22; 3:23-25; 4:3-9, 26-32; 7:15-17; 13:28), many times they are simply stories that attempt to teach spiritual truth (which is unknown to the hearers) by using a comparison with something known to the hearers. In general, parables usually advance a single idea, though there may be many parts and characters in a single parable and subordinate ideas may expand the main idea further. The beauty of using the parable as a teaching device is that it draws the listener into the story, elicits an evaluation, and demands a response.
- Mark 4:3 sn A sower went out to sow. The background for this well-known parable, drawn from a typical scene in the Palestinian countryside, is a field through which a well worn path runs. Sowing would occur in late fall or early winter (October to December) in the rainy season, looking for sprouting in April or May and a June harvest. The use of seed as a figure for God’s giving life has OT roots (Isa 55:10-11). The point of the parable of the sower is to illustrate the various responses to the message of the kingdom of God (cf. 4:11).
- Mark 4:4 tn Mark’s version of the parable, like Luke’s (cf. Luke 8:4-8), uses the collective singular to refer to the seed throughout, so singular pronouns have been used consistently throughout this parable in the English translation. However, the parallel account in Matt 13:1-9 begins with plural pronouns in v. 4 but then switches to the collective singular in v. 5 ff.
- Mark 4:5 sn The rocky ground in Palestine would be a limestone base lying right under the soil.
- Mark 4:5 tn Grk “it had no depth of earth.”
- Mark 4:6 tn Grk “it did not have root.”
- Mark 4:7 sn Palestinian weeds like these thorns could grow up to 6 feet in height and have a major root system.
- Mark 4:7 sn That is, crowded out the good plants.
- Mark 4:8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in the final stage of the parable.
- Mark 4:9 tn The translation “had better listen!” captures the force of the third person imperative more effectively than the traditional “let him hear,” which sounds more like a permissive than an imperative to the modern English reader. This was Jesus’ common expression to listen and heed carefully (cf. Matt 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:23; Luke 8:8; 14:35).
- Mark 4:11 tn Grk “the mystery.”sn The key term secret (μυστήριον, mustērion) can mean either (1) a new revelation or (2) a revealing interpretation of existing revelation as in Dan 2:17-23, 27-30. Jesus seems to be explaining how current events develop old promises, since the NT consistently links the events of Jesus’ ministry and message with old promises (Rom 1:1-4; Heb 1:1-2). The traditional translation of this word, “mystery,” is misleading to the modern English reader because it suggests a secret which people have tried to uncover but which they have failed to understand (L&N 28.77).
- Mark 4:11 sn The kingdom of God is a major theme of Jesus’ teaching. The nature of the kingdom of God in the NT and in Jesus’ teaching has long been debated by interpreters and scholars, with discussion primarily centering around the nature of the kingdom (earthly, heavenly, or both) and the kingdom’s arrival (present, future, or both). An additional major issue concerns the relationship between the kingdom of God and the person and work of Jesus himself.
- Mark 4:11 tn This is an example of a “divine passive,” with God understood to be the source of the revelation (see ExSyn 437-38).
- Mark 4:12 sn A quotation from Isa 6:9-10. Thus parables both conceal or reveal depending on whether one is open to hearing what they teach.
- Mark 4:13 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
- Mark 4:15 sn Interestingly, the synoptic parallels each use a different word for Satan here: Matt 13:19 has “the evil one,” while Luke 8:12 has “the devil.” This illustrates the fluidity of the gospel tradition in often using synonyms at the same point of the parallel tradition.
- Mark 4:15 sn The word of Jesus has the potential to save if it germinates in a person’s heart, something the devil is very much against.
- Mark 4:17 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
- Mark 4:17 tn Grk “are temporary.”
- Mark 4:19 tn Grk “and.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
- Mark 4:19 tn Grk “the deceitfulness of riches.” Cf. BDAG 99 s.v. ἀπάτη 1, “the seduction which comes from wealth.”
- Mark 4:19 sn That is, their concern for spiritual things is crowded out by material things.
- Mark 4:20 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
- Mark 4:21 sn The lamp is probably an ancient oil burning lamp or perhaps a candlestick. Jesus is comparing revelation to light, particularly the revelation of his ministry.
- Mark 4:21 tn Or “a bowl”; this refers to any container for dry material of about eight liters (two gallons) capacity. It could be translated “basket, box, bowl” (L&N 6.151).
- Mark 4:22 tn Or “disclosed.”
- Mark 4:23 tn The translation “had better listen!” captures the force of the third person imperative more effectively than the traditional “let him hear,” which sounds more like a permissive than an imperative to the modern English reader. This was Jesus’ common expression to listen and heed carefully (cf. Matt 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8; 14:35).
- Mark 4:24 tn Grk “by the measure with which you measure it will be measured to you.”
- Mark 4:25 tn Grk “and.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
- Mark 4:25 sn What he has will be taken from him. The meaning is that the one who accepts Jesus’ teaching concerning his person and the kingdom will receive a share in the kingdom now and even more in the future, but for the one who rejects Jesus’ words, the opportunity that that person presently possesses with respect to the kingdom will someday be taken away forever.
- Mark 4:26 sn The kingdom of God is a major theme of Jesus’ teaching. The nature of the kingdom of God in the NT and in Jesus’ teaching has long been debated by interpreters and scholars, with discussion primarily centering around the nature of the kingdom (earthly, heavenly, or both) and the kingdom’s arrival (present, future, or both). An additional major issue concerns the relationship between the kingdom of God and the person and work of Jesus himself.
- Mark 4:28 tn KJV “corn” is the result of British English, in which “corn” refers to the main cereal crop of a district, wheat in England and oats in Scotland (British English uses “maize” to refer to American corn).
- Mark 4:29 tn The Greek word εὐθύς (euthus, often translated “immediately” or “right away”) has not been translated here. It sometimes occurs with a weakened, inferential use (BDAG 406 s.v. 2), not contributing significantly to the flow of the narrative. For further discussion, see R. J. Decker, Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb in the Gospel of Mark with Reference to Verbal Aspect (SBG 10), 73-77.
- Mark 4:29 sn Because the harvest has come. This parable is found only in Mark (cf. Matt 13:24-30) and presents a complete picture of the coming of God’s kingdom: (1) sowing; (2) growth; (3) harvest. Some understand the parable as a reference to evangelism. While this is certainly involved, it does not seem to be the central idea. In contrast to the parable of the sower which emphasizes the quality of the different soils, this parable emphasizes the power of the seed to cause growth (with the clear implication that the mysterious growth of the kingdom is accomplished by God), apart from human understanding and observation.
- Mark 4:30 sn The kingdom of God is a major theme of Jesus’ teaching. See the note on this phrase in v. 26.
- Mark 4:31 sn Mustard seeds are known for their tiny size.
- Mark 4:32 tn Mark 4:31-32 is fairly awkward in Greek. Literally the sentence reads as follows: “As a mustard seed, which when sown in the earth, being the smallest of all the seeds in the earth, and when it is sown, it grows up…” The structure has been rendered in more idiomatic English, although some of the awkward structure has been retained for rhetorical effect.
- Mark 4:32 tn Grk “the birds of the sky” or “the birds of the heaven”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated either “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context. The idiomatic expression “birds of the sky” refers to wild birds as opposed to domesticated fowl (cf. BDAG 809 s.v. πετεινόν).
- Mark 4:32 sn The point of the parable seems to be that while the kingdom of God may appear to have insignificant and unnoticeable beginnings (i.e., in the ministry of Jesus), it will someday (i.e., at the second advent) be great and quite expansive. The kingdom, however, is not to be equated with the church, but rather the church is an expression of the kingdom. Also, there is important OT background in the image of a small plant that grew and became a tree: Ezek 17:22-24 pictures the reemergence of the Davidic house where people can find calm and shelter. Like the mustard seed, it would start out small but grow to significant size.
- Mark 4:33 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.
- Mark 4:35 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Mark 4:35 tn The phrase “of the lake” is not in the Greek text but is clearly implied; it has been supplied here for clarity.
- Mark 4:36 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the response to Jesus’ request.
- Mark 4:36 tn It is possible that this prepositional phrase modifies “as he was,” not “they took him along.” The meaning would then be “they took him along in the boat in which he was already sitting” (see 4:1).sn A boat that held all the disciples would be of significant size. See the note at Mark 1:19 for a description of the first-century fishing boat discovered in 1986 near Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.
- Mark 4:37 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
- Mark 4:37 tn Or “a squall.”sn The Sea of Galilee is located in a depression some 700 ft (200 m) below sea level and is surrounded by hills. Frequently a rush of wind and the right mix of temperatures can cause a storm to come suddenly on the lake. Storms on the Sea of Galilee were known for their suddenness and violence.
- Mark 4:38 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
- Mark 4:39 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.
- Mark 4:39 tn Or “commanded” (often with the implication of a threat, L&N 33.331).
- Mark 4:39 sn Who has authority over the seas and winds is discussed in the OT: Pss 104:3; 135:7; 107:23-30. When Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea he was making a statement about who he was.
- Mark 4:39 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
- Mark 4:41 sn Jesus’ authority over creation raised a question for the disciples about who he was exactly (Who then is this?). This verse shows that the disciples followed Jesus even though they did not know all about him yet.
- Mark 4:41 sn This section in Mark (4:35-5:43) contains four miracles: (1) the calming of the storm; (2) the exorcism of the demon-possessed man; (3) the giving of life to Jairus’ daughter; (4) the healing of the woman hemorrhaging for twelve years. All these miracles demonstrate Jesus’ right to proclaim the kingdom message and his sovereign authority over forces, directly or indirectly, hostile to the kingdom. The last three may have been brought together to show that Jesus had power over all defilement, since contact with graves, blood, or a corpse was regarded under Jewish law as causing a state of ritual uncleanness.
Mark 4
Wycliffe Bible
4 And again Jesus began to teach at the sea; and much people [and much company of people] was gathered to him, so that he went into a boat, and sat in the sea, and all the people [and all the company of people] was about the sea on the land.
2 And he taught them in parables many things. And he said to them in his teaching,
3 Hear ye. Lo! a man sowing goeth out to sow. [Hear ye. Lo! a sower went out to sow.]
4 And while he soweth, some seed felled about the way, and birds of heaven came, and ate it.[a]
5 Other [Forsooth another] felled down on stony places, where it had not much earth; and at once it sprang up, for it had not deepness of earth [and anon it sprang up, for it had no deepness of earth].
6 And when the sun rose up, it withered for heat, and it dried up, for it had no root.
7 And other felled down into thorns [And another felled down among thorns], and [the] thorns sprang up, and strangled it, and it gave no fruit.
8 And other felled down into good land, and gave fruit, springing up, and waxing; and one brought thirtyfold, and one sixtyfold, and one an hundredfold.
9 And he said, He that hath ears of hearing, hear he. [And he said, He that hath ears to hear, hear.]
10 And when he was by himself, the twelve that were with him asked him to expound the parable.
11 And he said to them, To you it is given to know the private of the kingdom of God [To you it is given to know the mystery, or private, of the kingdom of God]. But to them that be withoutforth, all things be made in parables,
12 that they seeing see, and see not, and they hearing hear, and understand not; lest [that] sometime they be converted, and sins be forgiven to them.
13 And he said to them, Know not ye this parable? and how ye shall know all parables?
14 He that soweth, soweth a word.
15 But these it be that be about the way, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, at once cometh Satan [anon cometh Satan], and taketh away the word that is sown in their hearts.
16 And in like manner be these [these it be] that be sown on stony places, which when they have heard the word, at once they take it with joy [anon take it with joy];
17 and they have not root in themselves, but they be lasting [but] a little time; afterward when tribulation riseth, and persecution for the word, at once they be caused to stumble. [and they have not root in themselves, but they be temporal, that is, lasting a little time; afterward when tribulation and persecution riseth for the word, anon they be offended.]
18 And there be others that be sown in thorns; these it be that hear the word,
19 and dis-ease of the world, and deceit of riches, and other charge of covetousness entereth, and strangleth the word, and it is made without fruit. [and mis-eases of the world, and deceit of riches, and other charge of covetousness entering in, strangle the word, and it is made without fruit.]
20 And these it be that be sown on good land, which hear the word, and take, and make fruit, one thirtyfold, and one sixtyfold, and one an hundredfold.
21 And he said to them, Where a lantern cometh, that it be put under a bushel, or under a bed? nay, but that it be put on a candlestick?[b]
22 [Forsooth] There is nothing hid, that shall not be made open [that shall not be showed]; neither any thing is privy, that shall not come into open [which shall not come into apert].
23 If any man have ears of hearing, hear he.
24 And he said to them, See ye what ye hear. In what measure ye mete, it shall be meted to you again [it shall be meted to you], and it shall be cast to you.
25 For it shall be given to him that hath, and it shall be taken away from him that hath not, also that that he hath. [Forsooth it shall be given to him that hath, and if man hath not, yea this that he hath shall be taken away from him.]
26 And he said, So the kingdom of God is, as if a man cast seed into the earth,
27 and he sleep, and it rise up night and day [and it sleep, and rise up in night and day], and bring forth seed, and wax fast, while he knoweth not.
28 For the earth [by his own working/by his own will] maketh fruit, first the grass, afterward the ear, and after full fruit in the ear [afterward full fruit in the ear].
29 And when of itself it hath brought forth fruit, at once [anon] he sendeth a sickle, for reaping time is come.
30 And he said, To what thing shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we comparison it?
31 As a corn of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all seeds that be in the earth;
32 and when it is sprung up, it waxeth into a tree, and is made greater than all herbs [and when it is sown, it waxeth into a tree, and is made more than all worts, or herbs]; and it maketh great branches, so that [the] birds of heaven may dwell [be able to dwell] under the shadow thereof.
33 And in many such parables he spake to them the word, as they might hear;
34 and he spake not to them without parable. But he expounded to his disciples all things by themselves[c].
35 And he said to them in that day, when evening was come, Pass we over to the other side. [And he saith to them in that day, when evening was made, Pass we again-ward.]
36 And they let go the people, and took him, so that he was in a boat [And they leaving the company of people, took him, so that he was in the boat]; and other boats were with him.
37 And a great storm of wind was made, and cast waves into the boat, so that the boat was full. [And there was made a great tempest of wind, and sent floods into the ship, so that the ship was full-filled.]
38 And he was in the hinder part of the boat, and slept on a pillow[d]. And they raise him, and say to him, Master, pertaineth it not to thee, that we perish?
39 And he rose up, and menaced the wind, and said to the sea, Be still, wax dumb. And the wind ceased, and great peaceableness was made.
40 And he said to them, What dread ye? Yet ye have no faith? [And he said to them, What be ye dread-full? Not yet have ye faith?]
41 And they dreaded with great dread, and said to each other [and said each to other], Who, guessest thou, is this? for the wind and the sea obey to him.
Footnotes
- Mark 4:4 And the while he soweth, some seed felled beside the way, and birds of heaven, or of the air, came, and ate it.
- Mark 4:21 And he said to them, Whether a lantern come, that it be put under a bushel, or under a bed? whether not, that it be put upon a candlestick?
- Mark 4:34 Forsooth he expounded to his disciples all things on sides hand/on sides half, or by themselves
- Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, sleeping on a pillow
Mark 4
New International Version
The Parable of the Sower(A)(B)
4 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake.(C) The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables,(D) and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.(E) 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”(F)
9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”(G)
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God(H) has been given to you. But to those on the outside(I) everything is said in parables 12 so that,
“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’[a]”(J)
13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word.(K) 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan(L) comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth(M) and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”
A Lamp on a Stand
21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?(N) 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.(O) 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”(P)
24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.(Q) 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”(R)
The Parable of the Growing Seed
26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like.(S) A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”(T)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed(U)
30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like,(V) or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.(W) 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable.(X) But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Jesus Calms the Storm(Y)
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.(Z) There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”(AA)
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Footnotes
- Mark 4:12 Isaiah 6:9,10
Mark 4
New King James Version
The Parable of the Sower(A)
4 And (B)again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. 2 Then He taught them many things by parables, (C)and said to them in His teaching:
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds [a]of the air came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have 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 seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no [b]crop. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
9 And He said [c]to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
The Purpose of Parables(D)
10 (E)But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to (F)know the [d]mystery of the kingdom of God; but to (G)those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that
(H)‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”
The Parable of the Sower Explained(I)
13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 (J)The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the (K)cares of this world, (L)the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, [e]accept it, and bear (M)fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
Light Under a Basket(N)
21 (O)Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 (P)For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 (Q)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. (R)With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 (S)For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
The Parable of the Growing Seed
26 And He said, (T)“The kingdom of God is as if a man should [f]scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and (U)grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth (V)yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately (W)he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed(X)
30 Then He said, (Y)“To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”
Jesus’ Use of Parables
33 (Z)And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, (AA)He explained all things to His disciples.
Wind and Wave Obey Jesus(AB)
35 (AC)On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, (AD)“Teacher, (AE)do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and (AF)rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, (AG)“Peace,[g] be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? (AH)How[h] is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Марк 4
Священное Писание (Восточный Перевод)
Притча о сеятеле и семенах(A)
4 Иса опять учил у озера. Вокруг Него собралась огромная толпа, так что Он был вынужден сесть в лодку и немного отплыть, а весь народ стоял на берегу. 2 Иса многому учил народ в притчах, говоря им:
3 – Послушайте: сеятель вышел сеять. 4 Когда он разбрасывал семена, то некоторые из них упали у самой дороги. Прилетели птицы и склевали их. 5 Другие упали в каменистые места, где было мало плодородной почвы. Они быстро проросли, потому что почва была неглубокой,[a] 6 но когда взошло солнце, оно опалило ростки, и те засохли, так как у них не было глубоких корней. 7 Другие упали в терновник, который разросся, заглушил их, и семена не дали урожая. 8 Но семена, которые упали на хорошую почву, взошли, выросли и принесли урожай в тридцать, а то и в шестьдесят, и даже во сто крат больше, чем было посеяно!
9 Потом Иса добавил:
– У кого есть уши, чтобы слышать, пусть слышит!
Объяснение притчи о сеятеле и семенах(B)
10 Позже, когда толпа разошлась, постоянные спутники Исы вместе с двенадцатью посланниками спросили Его о притчах. 11 Иса ответил:
– Вам открыта тайна Царства Всевышнего, а тем, внешним, всё даётся в притчах, 12 чтобы
«они смотрели, но не увидели,
и слушали, но не поняли;
чтобы они не обратились,
и не были бы прощены»[b].
13 Потом Иса спросил:
– Неужели и вы не поняли эту притчу? Как же вы тогда вообще сможете понимать притчи? 14 Сеятель сеет слово. 15 Некоторые люди похожи на семена, посеянные у дороги. Как только они услышат слово, приходит сатана и похищает посеянное в них. 16 Другие похожи на семена, посеянные на каменистой почве. Эти люди, когда слышат слово, сразу же принимают его с радостью. 17 Но у них нет корня, и поэтому их хватает лишь на короткое время, и когда наступают трудности и гонения за слово, они сразу же отступаются. 18 Третьи – как семена, посеянные среди терновника. Они слышат слово, 19 но повседневные заботы, любовь к богатству и другие желания заглушают слово, делая его бесплодным. 20 А есть люди, похожие на семена, посеянные в хорошую почву. Они слышат слово, принимают его и приносят плод – в тридцать, шестьдесят, а то и во сто крат больше посеянного.
Ответственность слушающих(C)
21 Затем Он сказал им:
– Разве для того вносят в дом светильник, чтобы поставить его под горшок или под кровать? Наоборот, его ставят на подставку. 22 Нет ничего тайного, что не станет явным, и нет ничего скрытого, что не выйдет на свет. 23 Если у кого есть уши, чтобы слышать, пусть слышит!
24 И ещё сказал им:
– Будьте внимательны к тому, что вы слышите. Какою мерою вы мерите, такой будет отмерено и вам, и даже прибавлено. 25 У кого есть, тому будет дано ещё, и у кого нет, будет отнято и то, что он имеет.
Притча о засеянном поле
26 Ещё Он сказал:
– Царство Всевышнего похоже на то, как если бы человек засеял поле. 27 Проходят дни и ночи, человек то спит, то бодрствует, а семена всходят и растут, он и сам не знает как, 28 ведь земля сама даёт плод. Сначала появляется росток, затем колос, колос наливается зерном, 29 и когда созреет урожай, человек приходит с серпом, потому что наступила жатва.[c]
Притча о горчичном зерне(D)
30 Иса продолжал:
– С чем можно сравнить Царство Всевышнего? В какой притче можно описать его? 31 Оно как горчичное зерно. Когда его сеют в землю, оно самое маленькое из всех семян, 32 но когда вырастает, то становится больше всех огородных растений и раскидывает такие большие ветви, что птицы небесные могут вить гнёзда в их тени.[d]
33 Иса рассказывал им много подобных притч. Он не говорил им больше того, что они были в силах воспринять. 34 Без притч Иса вообще не учил, но когда Он оставался наедине со Своими учениками, Он всё им объяснял.
Усмирение шторма(E)
35 В тот же день, вечером, Иса сказал Своим ученикам:
– Переправимся на другую сторону озера.
36 Отпустив народ, они вошли в лодку к Исе и отплыли от берега. К ним присоединились и другие лодки. 37 Внезапно поднялся сильный шторм. Волны били о борта лодки, и её стало заливать. 38 А Иса в это время спал на корме, подложив подушку под голову. Ученики разбудили Его и сказали:
– Учитель! Неужели Тебе всё равно, что мы гибнем?
39 Проснувшись, Он запретил ветру и приказал озеру:
– Умолкни! Перестань!
В тот же момент ветер стих, и наступил полный штиль.
40 – Ну что вы испугались? – сказал Он ученикам. – Где же ваша вера?
41 Перепуганные ученики спрашивали друг друга:
– Кто Он, что даже ветер и волны повинуются Ему?
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