Mark 4
1 And again he began to teach by the shore of the lake; and there was gathered to him a very great multitude, so that he went into a boat, and sat down in it upon the lake; and all the multitude was by the lake 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 taught them many things in parables, and said to them in his teaching,
Then he taught them many parables. While he was teaching them, he told them [this]:
3 Hearken: Behold, a sower went forth 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, as he sowed some seeds fell by the way-side; and the birds came and devoured them.
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 others fell on rocky ground, where they had not much earth; and they sprung up immediately, because they 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 But when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they 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 others fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked them, and they yielded 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 others fell on good ground, and shooting up and growing yielded fruit; and bore as much as thirty, and sixty, and a hundred fold.
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, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Then Jesus said, “If you want to understand this [MTY], you should consider [carefully what I have just said].”
10 And when he was in private, they who were about him, with the twelve, asked him about the parables.
[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 hath been given the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to them, who are without, all things are done in parables; t
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 hat seeing they may see, and not perceive, and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest they should turn, and be forgiven.
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 saith to them, Know ye not this parable? and how will ye know all the 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 soweth the word.
[In the illustration that I told you], the man who sows [seeds represents someone who] declares God’s message [DOU].
15 And these are they by the wayside, those where the word is sown, and when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in them.
[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 these in like manner are they that are sown on the rocky places, those, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy,
[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 have no root in themselves, but endure only for a time; then, when affliction or persecution ariseth on account of the word, they immediately fall away.
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 they that are sown among the thorns; these are they who hear the word,
[Some people are like] the [soil that had roots of] thorny weeds in it. [Although] those people hear [God’s] message,
19 but the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh 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 the good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it; and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold.
[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, Is a lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, and not to be set on the lamp-stand?
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 secret, unless to be made known; nor was any thing hidden, but that it should come to 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 hath 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, Take heed what ye hear. With what measure ye mete, it will be measured to you, and more will be added to you.
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 he that hath, to him will be given; and he that hath not, from him will be taken away even what he hath.
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 when a man has cast seed upon 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 sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed springs and grows up, he knows not how.
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 For the earth brings forth fruit of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
First the stalks [appeared]. Then the heads [appeared]. Then the full kernels in the heads [appeared].
29 But when the fruit puts itself forth, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest is come.
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 shall we liken the kingdom of God? or under what comparison shall we set it forth?
[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 It is like a grain of mustard, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in 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 is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air can lodge under its shade.
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 with many such parables he spoke 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 But without a parable he did not speak to them; but in private he explained all things to his own 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 on the same day, when the evening was come, he saith to them, Let us pass over 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 take him with them, as he was, in the boat; and there were also other boats 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 arose a great storm of wind, and the waves heat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
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, asleep on the pillow; and they awake him, and say to him, Teacher, carest thou not that we are perishing?
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 he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, Peace! be still! 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 ye so fearful? How is it that ye have 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 exceedingly, and said one to another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the waves 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]”
