Mark 4
1 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.
And, again, began he to be teaching by the sea; and there come together unto him a very great multitude, so that, he, into a boat, entering, was sitting upon the sea, —and, all the multitude, were, near the sea upon the land.
2 Then he taught them many parables. While he was teaching them, he told them [this]:
And he began to teach them, in parables, many things, and was saying unto them, in his teaching—
3 “Consider [well the meaning of this illustration]: A man/farmer went out [to his field] to sow [some seeds].
Hearken! Lo! the sower went forth to sow;
4 As he was scattering them [over the soil], some [of the] seeds fell on the path. Then some birds came and ate those seeds.
And it came to pass, as he sowed, some, indeed, fell by the pathway, and the birds came, and devoured it;
5 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.
And, some, fell on the rocky places, [even] where it had not much earth, —and, straightway, it sprang forth, by reason of its not having depth of earth;
6 But after the sun shone [on those young plants], they became scorched. Then they withered because they did not have [deep] roots.
and, when the sun arose, it was scorched, —and, by reason of its not having root, it was dried up;
7 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.
And, some, fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and, fruit, it yielded not;
8 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].”
And, other, fell into the good ground, and was yielding fruit, coming up and growing, —and was bearing, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold,
9 Then Jesus said, “If you want to understand this [MTY], you should consider [carefully what I have just said].”
And he was saying—He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!
10 [Later], when only the twelve [disciples] and a few [other] people were with him, they asked him about the parables.
And when he was alone they who were about him with the twelve questioned him as to the parables;
11 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].
and he was saying unto them—To you, the sacred secret hath been given of the kingdom of God, whereas, to them who are outside, in parables are all things coming to pass, —that
12 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}.”
They may surely look and yet not see, and surely hear and yet not understand, lest once they should return and it be forgiven them.
13 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].
And he saith unto them—Know ye not this parable? How then will ye get to know all the parables?
14 [In the illustration that I told you], the man who sows [seeds represents someone who] declares God’s message [DOU].
The sower, soweth the word;
15 [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.
And these are they beside the pathway where the word is sown, —and, as soon as they hear, straightway, cometh Satan, and snatcheth away the word which hath been sown into them;
16 [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.
And these are likewise they upon the rocky places sown, —who, as soon as they hear the word, straightway, with joy receive it,
17 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.
and have no root in themselves, but, only for a season are, —afterwards, when there ariseth tribulation or persecution by reason of the word, straightway, they find cause of stumbling;
18 [Some people are like] the [soil that had roots of] thorny weeds in it. [Although] those people hear [God’s] message,
And others are they who among thorns are sown, —these are they who hear the word,
19 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)
and, the anxieties of the age, and the deceit of wealth, and the covetings about the remaining things, entering in, choke up the word, and, unfruitful, it becometh; (aiōn g165)
20 [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].”
And those yonder are they who on the good ground are sown, —who, indeed, hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit—thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.
21 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]
And he was saying unto them—Doth the lamp come that under the measure it should be put, or under the couch? Is it not that upon the lampstand it may be put?
22 [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].
For it is not hidden, save that it may be made visible; neither did it get hidden away, but that it might come into a place where it could be seen.
23 If you want to understand this, you should consider [carefully] what you [have just heard].”
If any one hath ears to hear, let him hear.
24 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.
And he was saying unto them—Be taking heed what ye are hearing: —with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you, and added unto you;
25 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.”
For, he that hath, it shall be given, unto him, and, he that hath not, even what he hath, shall be taken from him.
26 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.
And he was saying—Thus, is the kingdom of God: As a man may cast seed upon the earth,
27 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].
and be sleeping and rising, night and day, —and the seed be sprouting, and lengthening itself, —how, he, knoweth not:
28 First the stalks [appeared]. Then the heads [appeared]. Then the full kernels in the heads [appeared].
of itself, the earth beareth fruit, —first, a blade, afterwards, an ear, after that, full corn in the ear;
29 As soon as the grain was ripe he sent [people] [MTY] to harvest it because it was time to harvest [the grain].”
but, as soon as the fruit yieldeth itself up, straightway, he sendeth forth the sickle, because standing by is the harvest.—
30 [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].
And he was saying—How shall we liken the kingdom of God, or, in what parable, shall we put it?
31 [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.
As a grain of mustard seed, —which, whensoever it may be sown upon the earth, is less than all the seeds that are upon the earth;
32 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.”
and, as soon as it is sown, springeth up, and becometh greater than all garden plants, and produceth large branches, so that, under the shade thereof, the birds of heaven can find shelter.
33 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].
And, with many such parables as these, was he speaking unto them the word, —according as they were able to hear;
34 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.
but, without a parable, was he not speaking unto them, —privately, however, unto his own disciples, was he explaining all things.
35 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].”
And he saith unto them, on that day, when evening came, Let us cross over unto the other side;
36 So they left the crowd, [got in] the boat where Jesus [already] was, and left. [Other people] went with them in other boats.
and, dismissing the multitude, they take him with them, as he was, in the boat, and, other boats, were with him.
37 A strong wind came up and the waves started coming into the boat! The boat was soon nearly full [of water]!
And there ariseth a great tempest of wind, —and, the waves, were dashing over into the boat, so that, already being filled, was the boat.
38 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]”
And he was in the stern, on the cushion, sleeping. And they arouse him, and say unto him, Teacher! carest thou not that we perish?
39 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.
And, roused up, he rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea—Hush! be still! and the wind lulled, and it became a great calm.
40 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]?”
And he said unto them—Why, are ye, fearful? Not yet, have ye faith?
41 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]”
And they were caused to fear a great fear, and were saying one to another—Who then is, this, that, both the wind and the sea, give ear unto him?
