Self-interpreting Bible

« back to list of books

« back to list of chapters

Mark 4

1The parable of the sower. 10Why Christ taught in parables. 14The exposition of the parable. 21The light of knowledge is given to be communicated to others. 26The kingdom of God likened to the seed which groweth imperceptibly: 30and to a grain of mustard seed. 35Christ stilleth a tempest by his word.


1 AND ahe began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he bentered 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 cby parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

3 dHearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and ethe fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

5 And some fell on fstony 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; gand because it had no root, it withered away.

7 And hsome fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

8 And iother fell on good ground, and did jyield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

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

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

11 And he said unto them, mUnto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them nthat are *without, all these things are done in parables:

12 oThat 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.

13 pAnd he said unto them, qKnow ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

14 ¶rThe sower soweth the word.

15 And these are sthey by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, tSatan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And these are uthey likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And vhave 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 wthese 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 xthese 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 ¶yAnd 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 zFor there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

    23 aIf any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

    24 And he said unto them, bTake heed what ye hear: cwith what measure ye *mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

    25 dFor he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

    26 ¶And he said, eSo is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast fseed into the ground;

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

    28 For hthe earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; ifirst the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

    29 But jwhen the fruit is 1brought forth, immediately khe putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

    30 ¶And he said, lWhereunto 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 mgroweth up, and becometh ngreater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

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

      34 But pwithout a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

      35 qAnd the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

      36 rAnd 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 sAnd 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, tasleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, uMaster, carest thou not that we perish?

      39 And he arose, and vrebuked 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, wWhy are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

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