THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

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

WHY JESUS TAUGHT IN PARABLES
10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 And 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.

EXPLANATION OF THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
13 And 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.

A LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL
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.
24 And 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.

THAT PARABLE OF THE GROWTH OF THE SEED
26 And 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.

THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED
30 And 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.

JESUS' USE OF PARABLES
33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

JESUS CALMS A STORM
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And 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.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And 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?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

1And he beganne againe to teach by the Sea side: and there was gathered vnto him a great multitude, so that he entred into a ship, and sate in the Sea: and the whole multitude was by the Sea on the land.

2And he taught them many things by parables, and said vnto them in his doctrine,

3Hearken, Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

4And it came to passe as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the foules of the aire came, & deuoured it vp.

5And some fell on stonie ground, where it had not much earth: and immediately it sprang vp, because it had no depth of earth.

6But when the Sunne was vp, it was scorched, and because it had no roote, it withered away.

7And some fell among thornes, and the thornes grew vp, and choked it, and it yeelded no fruite.

8And other fell on good ground, and did yeeld fruite that sprang vp, and increased, and brought foorth some thirtie, & some sixtie, & some an hundred.

9And he said vnto them, He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.

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

11And he said vnto them, Unto you it is giuen to know the mystery of the kingdome of God: but vnto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

12That seeing they may see, and not perceiue, and hearing they may heare, and not vnderstand, lest at any time they should be conuerted, and their sinnes should be forgiuen them.

13And he said vnto them, Know ye not this parable? And how then will you know all parables?

14 The Sower soweth the word.

15And these are they by the way side, where the word is sowen, but when they haue heard, Satan commeth immediately, and taketh away the word that was sowen in their hearts.

16And these are they likewise which are sowen on stonie ground, who when they haue heard the word, immediately receiue it with gladnesse:

17And haue no roote in themselues, and so endure but for a time: afterward when affliction or persecution ariseth for the words sake, immediately they are offended.

18And these are they which are sowen among thorns: such as heare the word,

19And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulnesse of riches, and the lusts of other things entring in, choke the word, and it becommeth vnfruitfull.

20And these are they which are sowen on good ground, such as heare the word, and receiue it, & bring foorth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixtie, and some an hundred.

21 And he said vnto them, Is a candle brought to be put vnder a bushell, or vnder a bed? & not to be set on a candlesticke?

22For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested: neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

23If any man haue eares to heare, let him heare.

24And he said vnto them, Take heed what you heare: With what measure ye mete, it shalbe measured to you: And vnto you that heare, shal more be giuen.

25For he that hath, to him shall be giuen: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken, euen that which he hath.

26 And he said, So is the kingdome of God, as if a man should cast seede into the ground,

27And should sleepe, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring, and grow vp, he knoweth not how.

28For the earth bringeth foorth fruite of herselfe, first the blade, then the eare, after that the full corne in the eare.

29But when the fruite is brought foorth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the haruest is come.

30 And he said, Wherunto shal we liken the kingdome of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?

31It is like a graine of mustard seed: which when it is sowen in the earth, is lesse then all the seedes that be in the earth.

32But when it is sowen, it groweth vp, and becommeth greater then all herbes, & shooteth out great branches, so that the fowles of the aire may lodge vnder the shadow of it.

33And with many such parables spake hee the word vnto them, as they were able to heare it.

34But without a parable spake he not vnto them, and when they were alone, hee expounded all things to his disciples.

35And the same day, when the Euen was come, he saith vnto them, Let vs passe ouer vnto the other side.

36And when they had sent away the multitude, they tooke him, euen as he was in the ship, and there were also with him other litle ships.

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

38And he was in the hinder part of the ship asleepe on a pillow: and they awake him, and say vnto him, Master, carest thou not, that we perish?

39And hee arose, and rebuked the winde, and said vnto the sea, Peace, be still: and the winde ceased, and there was a great calme.

40And he said vnto them, Why are ye so fearefull? How is it that you haue no faith?

41And they feared exceedingly, and saide one to another, What maner of man is this, that euen the winde and the sea obey him?

I == Matt 13:1 ; Luke 8:4

II == Mark 12:38

VIII == John 15:"5 ; Col 1:6

X == Matt 13:10 ; Luke 8:9-10

XI == 1st Cor 5:12 ; Col 4:5 ; 1st Thess 4:12 ; 1st Thess 4:12 ; 1st Tim 3:7

XII == Isa 6:9 ; Matt 13:14 ; Luke 8:10 ; John 12:40 ; Acts 28:26 ; Rom 11:8

XIV Matt 13:19

XIX == 1st Tim 6:9 , 17

XXI == Matt 5:15 ; Luke 8:16 ; 11:33

XXII == Matt 10:26 ; Luke 12:2

XXIII == Matt 11:15 ; Mark 4:9

XXIV == Matt 7:2 ; Luke 6:38

XXV == Matt 13:12 ; 25:29 ; Luke 8:18 ; 19:26

XXVI == Matt 13:24

XXIX == Rev 14:15

XXX == Matt 13:31 ; Luke 13:18 ; Acts 2:41 ; 4:4 ; 5:14 ; 19:20

XXXIII == Matt 13:34 ; John 16:12

XXXV == Matt 8:18 , 23 ; Luke 8:22

 

 

1 On another occasion he began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. 2 And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, 3 "Hear this! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. 7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. 8 And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold." 9 He added, "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear." 10 And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. 11 He answered them, "The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, 12 so that 'they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.'" 13 Jesus said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. 17 But they have no root; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, 19 but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. 20 But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold." 21 He said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. 23 Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear." 24 He also told them, "Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. 25 To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." 26 He said,"This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come." 30 He said, "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade." 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private. 35 On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us cross to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 38 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. 40 Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" 41 They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"

v 1-12. Verse 1 adds that Jesus began to teach by the seaside, but the multitude grew and He taught from a boat.

This parable was given to show various responses to the Word of God. See Matt. 13 Chart. Jesus did not teach parables to make things easier to understand, but it was given for the disciples to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, Matt. 13:11. The quote about unseeing eyes and unhearing ears is from Isa. 6:9,10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

v 24,25. In the parable of the measure, if one accepts Christ’s offer of the kingdom in  Mk. 1:15, more will be added. If he rejects, he will have no part in the Kingdom. The portion regarding the measure is not found in Matt. and Luke.

 

v 26-29. This is the only parable unique to Mark. In this a man sows seed, leaves the production to God, then comes back for the harvest. Some feel this is the spiritual growth of believers, but is more likely, in context of kingdom parables, means Jesus is the Sower, Developer, and the Manifested of the kingdom.

v 30-34. Compare with the mustard seed parable of Matt. 13:31,32.

v 35-41. See Matt. 8:23 for comments on Jesus stilling the storm.