Mark 4
1 And again He began to teach by the sea: and a great multitude is gathered unto Him, so that He having gone into a ship, sat on the sea; and the whole multitude was at the sea on the land.
Another time Jesus began to teach [people] alongside Lake [Galilee. As he was doing that, a very large crowd gathered around him. Because people were jostling him], he got into a boat in the lake [so that he could speak to the crowd better. Then he sat in it and began to teach the crowd from the boat]. At the same time, the crowd was on the shore close to the lake.
2 And He was teaching them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said to them,
Then he taught them many parables. While he was teaching them, he told them [this]:
3 Hear: Behold, a sower went out to sow:
“Consider [well the meaning of this illustration]: A man/farmer went out [to his field] to sow [some seeds].
4 and it came to pass while he was sowing, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured it.
As he was scattering them [over the soil], some [of the] seeds fell on the path. Then some birds came and ate those seeds.
5 And other fell upon stones, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
Other [seeds] fell on ground where there was not much soil [on top of] rock. Very soon the [seeds] sprouted because [the sun warmed] the moist soil quickly where it was not deep.
6 and when the sun arose, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
But after the sun shone [on those young plants], they became scorched. Then they withered because they did not have [deep] roots.
7 And other fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up, and choked it, and it gave no fruit.
As the farmer sowed, other [seeds] fell on [ground that contained roots of] thorny plants. [The] seeds [grew, but] the thorny plants also grew up and crowded out [the] good [plants. So the plants] produced no grain.
8 And other fell in good ground, and springing up and growing, gave fruit, and produced, one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred.
But as the farmer sowed, other [seeds] fell on good soil. As a result, they sprouted, they grew well, and then they produced [plenty of] grain. [Some] plants bore 30 [grains]. [Some] bore 60 [grains]. [Some] bore 100 [grains].”
9 And He said, Let the one having ears to hear, hear.
Then Jesus said, “If you want to understand this [MTY], you should consider [carefully what I have just said].”
10 And when they were alone, and those around Him along with the twelve asked Him the parable.
[Later], when only the twelve [disciples] and a few [other] people were with him, they asked him about the parables.
11 And He said to them, To you it has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them who are without, all things are in parables:
He said to them, “People have not understood before [the new message] about how God wants to rule people’s lives. It is to you that this is being made known {that I am making this known}. But I tell about this [only] (in parables/figuratively) to those who have not [yet invited God to rule their lives].
12 in order that seeing they may see, and not know; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest they may turn, and their sins may he forgiven unto them.
As a result [it is true what a prophet has written], Although they see [what I do], they do not perceive [what it means] [DOU]. Although they hear [what I say], they do not understand [what it means] [DOU]. So they do not (repent/turn away from their sinful behavior) in order that they would be forgiven {[God] would forgive them}.”
13 And He says to them, Do you not understand this parable? and how will you know all parables?
He also said to them, “([I am disappointed that] you do not understand this illustration!/Can you not understand this illustration?) [RHQ] [If you do not understand] this, (you will certainly not understand any of the [other] illustrations!/how will you understand any of the [other] illustrations?) [RHQ] [Nevertheless, I will explain it to you].
14 The sower sows the word.
[In the illustration that I told you], the man who sows [seeds represents someone who] declares God’s message [DOU].
15 And those who are by the way-side, where the word is sown; and when they hear it, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which was sown in their hearts.
[Some people are like] the path on which [some of] the seeds fell. When they hear [the message], Satan comes at once and causes them to forget what they have heard.
16 And those who are sowed upon the rocks are likewise, those who, when they may hear the word, immediately with joy receive it.
[Some people are like the ground where the soil was not very deep over] rock. When they hear [God’s] message, they immediately accept it with joy.
17 And they have no root in themselves, but are temporary; then tribulation or persecution arising on account of the word, they are immediately offended:
But, because [the message does not penetrate deeply] [MET] [into their hearts/inner beings, they] believe it for [only a short time. They are like the plants that] did not have deep roots. When others treat such people badly or cause them to suffer because [they believe], those people [who are suffering] soon stop believing God’s message.
18 and others are those who are sown among the thorns; they are those hearing the word,
[Some people are like] the [soil that had roots of] thorny weeds in it. [Although] those people hear [God’s] message,
19 and the cares of the age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and desires concerning other things coming into them, choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (aiōn g165)
they desire to be rich, and they desire to own many other things. So they worry [only] about material things. The result is that they forget [God’s] message and they do not do [the things that God wants them to do]. (aiōn g165)
20 And these are they who are sown on good ground; whosoever hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred.
[But some people] are like the good soil. They hear [God’s] message and they accept it [and they believe] it. [Then they do the things that God wants them to do. They are like the good plants that produced] 30, 60 or 100 [grains].”
21 And He said to them; Whether does the light come, that it may be placed under a bushel, or under a bed? is it not that it may be placed on a candlestick?
He also told them [another parable], saying, “(People certainly do not [light] an oil lamp and then bring it [in the house] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} under a container or under a bed./Would anyone [light] an oil lamp and then bring it [in the house] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} under a container or under a bed?) [RHQ] (No, [they light it] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} in a place [where it lights the house].[/Wouldn’t they light it] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} in a place [where it lights the house]?) [RHQ]
22 For there is nothing hidden which may not be made manifest; neither is there any thing concealed, but that it may come into the light.
[Similarly], there are some [parts of God’s message] that people do not know. [But he intends that] people will understand all the things that they do not know [now].
23 If any one has ears to hear, let him hear.
If you want to understand this, you should consider [carefully] what you [have just heard].”
24 And He said to them. See what you hear: with what measure you measure it shall be measured unto you: and it shall be added unto you who hear.
Then he said to them, “Consider carefully what you hear [me say to you], for [God] will let you [understand] to the same degree that you [consider what I say]. [He] will let you [understand] even more than that.
25 For whosoever has, it shall be given unto him: and he who has not, it shall be taken from him even that which he has.
Those who [consider what I say] and understand it, [God] will enable them to understand more. But those who do not [consider carefully what I say], they will forget even what they already know.”
26 And He said, Thus is the kingdom of God, as a man may cast seed on the ground;
Jesus also said, “God [has the power to change] people who let him rule their lives. I [will illustrate how that can happen] [MET]. A man planted seeds in the ground.
27 and he may sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed germinates and grows, as he does not know.
Afterwards he slept each night and rose each day [without worrying about the seeds]. [During that time] the seeds sprouted and grew in a way that he did not understand, because by itself the soil [caused the plants to grow and produce grain].
28 The earth spontaneously brings forth fruit; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.
First the stalks [appeared]. Then the heads [appeared]. Then the full kernels in the heads [appeared].
29 And when the fruit may develop, immediately he thrusts in the sickle, because the harvest is at hand.
As soon as the grain was ripe he sent [people] [MTY] to harvest it because it was time to harvest [the grain].”
30 And He said, To what may we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable may we present it?
[Jesus told them] another [parable. He] said, “I will tell you [RHQ] how the [number of people] whose lives God rules in a new way [will continue to grow] (OR, each continue to have more and more influence in this world). I hope [RHQ] that this illustration will show this [to you].
31 Tis like a grain of mustard seed, which when it may be sown upon the earth, is the smallest of all seeds which are upon the earth,
[You know what happens to] mustard seeds when we plant them. Though mustard seeds are among the smallest of seeds, [here in Israel] they become large plants.
32 and when it may be sowed, it springs up, and becomes the greatest of herbs, and produces great branches; so that the birds of the heavens are able to lodge under its shadow.
After they are planted, they grow up and become larger than the other garden plants. They put out big branches so that birds are able to make nests in their shade.”
33 And in many such parables He continued to speak the word to them, as they were able to hear.
Jesus used many such illustrations when he talked to the people about God. If they were able to understand [some, he kept telling them more].
34 And without a parable He did not speak to them: and He privately expounded all things to His disciples.
He always used parables when he spoke to them. But he explained all [the illustrations] to his own disciples when he was alone with them.
35 And He says to them, on that day, it being evening, Let us go away to the other side.
On that same day, when the sun was setting, Jesus said to [his disciples], “Let’s cross over to the opposite side of [Lake Galilee in the boat].”
36 And leaving the multitude, they receive Him, as He was in the ship; and other ships were also with Him.
So they left the crowd, [got in] the boat where Jesus [already] was, and left. [Other people] went with them in other boats.
37 And there was a great storm of wind: and the waves were dashing into the ship, so that it was already filled.
A strong wind came up and the waves started coming into the boat! The boat was soon nearly full [of water]!
38 And He was in the stern, sleeping on a pillow: and they awaken Him, and say to Him; Teacher, is there no care to thee that we perish?
Jesus was in the back part of the boat. He was sleeping, [with his head] on a cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! (You ought to be concerned that we are about to die!/Are you not concerned that we are about to die?) [RHQ]”
39 And being awakened, He said to the sea, Be calm, be quiet. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
So Jesus got up and rebuked the wind. Then he said to the lake, “Be quiet! Be still! [DOU]” The wind [immediately] blowing and then [the lake] became very calm.
40 And He said to them, Why are you so cowardly? how have you not faith?
He said to the disciples, “([I am disappointed that] you are afraid [like that]!/Why are you afraid [like that]?) [RHQ] Do you not yet believe [that I can protect you]?”
41 And they feared with a great fear, and continued to say to one another, Who then is this, because the wind and the sea obey Him?
They were very awestruck. They said to one another, “[Not only do the demons obey this man, but] even the wind and the waves obey him! “(What kind of man is he?/This man is [not like ordinary] people!) [RHQ]”
