The Parable of the Sower
Study note
Teaching from a boat to a vast crowd along the shore, Jesus tells the foundational parable of a farmer whose seed falls on four types of soil. The parable describes the varied responses people have to the word of God: some reject it outright, some receive it superficially, some allow it to be choked by worldly concerns, and some receive it fruitfully. The command to listen frames the parable as a test of the hearer's own spiritual receptivity.
1 Jesus started teaching again beside the lake. Such a great crowd pressed in around him that he got into a boat and sat down on the water while everyone else stood along the shore. 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 He used many stories to teach them. Here is one of the things he said: And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
3 "Listen carefully! A farmer headed out to plant some seeds." Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
4 "While he was scattering the seeds, some landed on the hard path. Birds swooped down and gobbled them up." 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 "Other seeds dropped onto rocky patches where the soil was thin. Those seeds sprouted fast because the dirt was so shallow." 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 hot sun beat down on them, they dried up and died because they had no deep roots." But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
7 "Some seeds landed in a spot full of thorny weeds. The weeds grew tall and choked the plants, so they never produced anything." And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8 "But some seeds landed on rich, healthy soil. Those plants grew strong and produced an amazing harvest -- thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times more than what was planted." 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 Then he said, "If you are listening, pay attention to this!" And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The Purpose of Parables
Study note
When the disciples ask privately about the parables, Jesus explains that the mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to them as insiders, while outsiders hear only in parables. This challenging teaching draws on Isaiah 6, suggesting that parables both reveal and conceal truth. Those with receptive hearts are drawn deeper, while those who have already hardened themselves find confirmation of their resistance.
10 Later, when the crowd was gone and Jesus was alone with the twelve and some others, they asked him to explain the story. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 He told them, "You have been given the key to understanding God's kingdom and how it works. But for people on the outside, everything comes through stories," 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 "so that they look but do not truly see what is happening, and they hear but do not truly grasp it. Otherwise, they might turn back to God and he would forgive them." 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.
The Parable of the Sower Explained
Study note
Jesus provides a detailed interpretation of the Sower, identifying the seed as the word of God and the four soils as four responses. Satan snatches the word from some; shallow faith withers under persecution; worldly cares and desires choke spiritual growth in others. But the good soil represents those who hear, receive, and produce an abundant harvest. This explanation serves as both a diagnosis of spiritual failure and an encouragement that faithful reception of God's word produces extraordinary results.
13 Then he asked them, "You did not catch the meaning of this story? Then how will you ever understand any of my other stories?" And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
14 "This is the meaning of the story: The farmer is planting God's message." The sower soweth the word.
15 "The seeds on the path stand for people who hear the message. But the moment they hear it, Satan rushes in and snatches it from their hearts." 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 "The seeds on the rocky ground stand for people who hear the message and get excited about it right away." And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 "But they are not rooted deep inside. They only stick with it for a short time. As soon as hardship or trouble shows up because of the message, they give up." 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 "The seeds among the thorns stand for people who hear the message," And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 "but then everyday worries crowd in, along with the temptation of money and wanting all kinds of other things. All of that smothers the message and keeps it from growing into anything useful." 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 "But the seeds on the good soil stand for people who hear the message and accept it deep in their hearts. They produce results — some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred times what was planted." 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 Lamp and the Measure You Use
Study note
Jesus teaches that truth is not meant to be hidden but revealed, like a lamp placed on a stand rather than under a basket. The principle that the measure you use will be measured back to you challenges listeners to be generous and attentive in how they receive God's word. Those who respond to what they hear will be given more understanding, while those who refuse to engage will lose even what they have.
21 He asked them, "Would you light a lamp and then hide it under a bucket or things it under your bed? Of course not! You put it on a stand where it can light up the room." 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 "Everything that is hidden right now will eventually be brought out into the open. Every secret will come to light." For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23 "If you are listening, pay attention!" If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24 He also told them, "Think carefully about what you hear. God will measure back to you using the same measuring cup you use for others -- and he will add even more on top of that." 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 "People who already have understanding will be given even more. But people who do not have it will lose even the little bit they think they have." For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
The Parable of the Growing Seed
Study note
Found only in Mark, this parable describes a farmer who plants seed and then watches it grow without understanding how. The seed sprouts and matures through stages entirely beyond the farmer's control or comprehension. This teaches that the kingdom of God advances by God's own mysterious power, not by human effort alone, offering reassurance to those who faithfully plant the word and wait for God's harvest.
26 Jesus also said, "Here is another picture of what God's kingdom is like. A farmer scatters seeds across his field." And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
27 "Then he goes about his life -- sleeping at night, getting up each day -- and the seeds begin to sprout and grow. He has no idea how it happens." And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
28 "The soil does the work all on its own. First a tiny green shoot pops up, then the stalk forms a head, and finally the grain in the head ripens." For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
29 "As soon as the grain is ready, the farmer grabs his cutting tool and harvests it, because the time has come." But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Study note
Jesus compares the kingdom of God to the tiniest of seeds that grows into the largest of garden plants, with branches large enough for birds to nest in its shade. This parable encourages those who might despise the small, seemingly insignificant beginnings of Jesus' movement. What starts as a handful of disciples following an itinerant preacher in Galilee will become a shelter for all nations. Mark notes that Jesus always taught the public in parables but explained everything privately to his disciples.
30 Then Jesus asked, "What picture can I use to describe God's kingdom? What story captures it best?" And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31 "Think of a mustard seed. When you plant it, it is one of the tiniest seeds you can find." 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 once it starts growing, it becomes one of the biggest plants in the garden. Its branches spread out so wide that birds can come and build nests in its shade." 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.
33 Jesus used many stories like these to share his message with the people. He gave them as much as they could handle. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
34 He never taught the crowds without using a story. But whenever he was alone with his disciples, he explained the full meaning of everything. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Jesus Calms the Storm
Study note
Crossing the Sea of Galilee at evening, the disciples are terrified by a violent storm while Jesus sleeps peacefully in the stern. His rebuke of the wind and command to the sea, 'Peace, be still,' demonstrate sovereign authority over creation itself, a power the Old Testament reserves for God alone. The disciples' fearful question, 'Who is this man?' is the central question Mark wants every reader to answer. Their lack of faith stands in contrast to Jesus' perfect peace.
35 When evening came that same day, Jesus told his disciples, "Let us sail across to the other side of the lake." And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 They left the crowd behind and took Jesus in the boat just as he was. A few other boats tagged along. 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 Out of nowhere, a fierce storm blew in. Waves crashed over the sides of the boat, and it started filling up with water. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 Meanwhile, Jesus was sound asleep in the back of the boat, resting his head on a cushion. The disciples shook him awake and shouted, "Teacher! We are going to drown! Don't you care?" 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 Jesus stood up, spoke firmly to the wind, and commanded the waves, "Quiet! Settle down!" Immediately the wind died and the water became perfectly still. 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 Then he turned to them and asked, "Why were you so scared? Do you still have no faith at all?" And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 They were completely terrified and whispered to each other, "Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves do what he tells them!" And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?