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 he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered to 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 Then he taught them many parables. While he was teaching them, he told them [this]:
And he taught them many things by parables, and said to them in his doctrine,
3 “Consider [well the meaning of this illustration]: A man/farmer went out [to his field] to sow [some seeds].
Listen; Behold, there went out a sower 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 fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
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 stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no 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.
But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
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 thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
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 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 Jesus said, “If you want to understand this [MTY], you should consider [carefully what I have just said].”
And he said to them, He that has 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 that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
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 said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
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}.”
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.
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 said to them, Know you not this parable? and how then will you know all parables?
14 [In the illustration that I told you], the man who sows [seeds represents someone who] declares God’s message [DOU].
The sower sows 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 by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
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 they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
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, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution rises for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
18 [Some people are like] the [soil that had roots of] thorny weeds in it. [Although] those people hear [God’s] message,
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as 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 cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (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 these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty times, some sixty, and some an hundred.
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 said to them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
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 there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23 If you want to understand this, you should consider [carefully] what you [have just heard].”
If any man have 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 said to them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you: and to you that hear shall more be given.
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 has, to him shall be given: and he that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has.
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 said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
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 should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how.
28 First the stalks [appeared]. Then the heads [appeared]. Then the full kernels in the heads [appeared].
For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the 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 when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
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 said, To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare 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.
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 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.”
But when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
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 spoke he the word to them, as they were able to hear it.
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 spoke he not to them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
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 the same day, when the even was come, he says to them, Let us pass over to 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 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 A strong wind came up and the waves started coming into the boat! The boat was soon nearly full [of water]!
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
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 hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say to him, Master, care you 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 he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was 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 to them, Why are you so fearful? how is it that you have no 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 feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
