Mark 4:14

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Mark 4:14 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The farmer sows the word.

King James Version KJV

¶ The sower soweth the word.

American Standard Version ASV

The sower soweth the word.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The seed is the word.

Free Bible Version FBV

The sower sows the word.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

The sower soweth the worde.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

He who is sowing doth sow the word;

World English Bible WEB

The farmer sows the word.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

The sower soweth the word.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

He that soweth, soweth the word.

Translation for Translators T4T

In the illustration that I told you, the man who sows seeds represents someone who declares God’s message [DOU].

Plain English Version PEV

Listen to me again. In my story, a man threw the seeds into his garden, to grow some food. He is a picture of somebody that tells God’s word to people.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Mark 4:14

BAB

Word Study

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Mark 4:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ο σπειρων τον λογον σπειρει

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

σπειρων speirō G4687 to sow Verb-PAP-NSM

τον ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASM

λογον logos G3056 word Noun-ASM

σπειρει speirō G4687 to sow Verb-PAI-3S

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Mark 4:14

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

σπειρων speirō G4687 "to sow" Verb-PAP-NSM

To sow means to scatter seed, either literally or figuratively. Jesus uses this term in parables, like in Matthew 13:3-4 and Mark 4:3-4.

Definition: σπείρω [in LXX chiefly for זָרַע ;] to sow (seed): absol., Mat.6:26 13:3-4, 18 25:24, 26, Mrk.4:3-4, Luk.8:5 12:24, Jhn.4:36, 2Co.9:10; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.13:24, 27 13:37, 39, Mrk.4:32, Luk.8:5, 1Co.15:36-37; before εἰς, Mat.13:22, Mrk.4:18; ἐν, Mat.13:24, 31; ἐπί, with genitive, Mrk.4:31; ἐπί, with accusative, Mat.13:20, 23, Mrk.4:16, 20; παρά, with accusative, Mat.13:19. Metaphorical: 1Co.9:11 15:42-44, Gal.6:7-8, Jas.3:18; in proverbial sayings, Mat.25:24, 26, Luk.19:21-22, Jhn.4:37, 2Co.9:6, Gal.6:7; in interpretation of parables, Mat.13:19-23 Mrk.4:14-20 † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 42 NT verses. KJV: sow(- er), receive seed See also: 1 Corinthians 9:11; Mark 4:16; James 3:18.

τον ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

λογον logos G3056 "word" Noun-ASM

In the Bible, this word refers to a message or idea expressed through words, like in Matthew 8:8 and Luke 7:7. It's not just a single word, but a whole thought or concept. Jesus used this word to teach about God's kingdom.

Definition: λόγος, -ου, ὁ (λέγω) [in LXX chiefly for דָּבָר, also for מִלָּה ,אֵמֶר, etc. ;] __I. Of that by which the inward thought is expressed, Lat. oratio, sermo, vox, verbum. __1. a word, not in the grammatical sense of a mere name (ἔπος, ὄνομα, ῥῆμα), but a word as embodying a conception or idea: Mat.8:8, Luk.7:7, 1Co.14:9, 19 Heb.12:19, al. __2. a saying, statement, declaration: Mat.19:22 (T om.), Mrk.5:36 7:29, Luk.1:29, Jhn.2:22 6:60, Act.7:29, al.; with genitive attrib., Act.13:15, Rom.9:9, Heb.7:28, al.; of the sayings, commands, promises, etc., of teachers, Mat.7:24 10:14, Mrk.8:38, Luk.9:4, Jhn.14:24, al.; λ. κενοί, Eph.5:6; ἀληθινοί, Rev.19:9; πιστοί, Rev.22:6; esp. of the precepts, decrees and promises of God, ὁ λ. τ. θεοῦ, the word of God: Mrk.7:13, Jhn.10:35, Rom.13:9, 1Co.14:36, Php.1:14, al.; absol., ὁ λ., Mat.13:21, 22 Mrk.16:[20], Luk.1:2, Act.6:4, Heb.4:12, al. __3. speech, discourse: Act.14:12, 2Co.10:10, Jas.3:2; opposite to ἐπιστολή, 2Th.2:15; disting, from σοφία, 1Co.2:1; ἀναστροφή, 1Ti.4:12; δύναμις, 1Co.4:19, 1Th.1:5; ἔργον, Rom.15:18; οὐδενὸς λ. τίμιον (not worthy of mention), Act.20:24; of the faculty of speech, Luk.24:19, 2Co.11:6; of the style of speech, Mat.5:37, 1Co.1:5; of instruction, Col.4:3, 1Pe.3:1; with genitive of person(s), Jhn.5:24 8:52, Act.2:41, al.; ὁ λ. ὁ ἐμός, Jhn.8:31; with genitive obj. (τ.) ἀληθείας, 2Co.6:7, Col.1:5, Jas.1:18; τ. καταλλαγῆς, 2Co.5:19; τ. σταυροῦ, 1Co.1:18; of mere talk, 1Co.4:19, 2o, Col.2:23, 1Jn.3:18; of the talk which one occasions, hence, repute: Col.2:23. __4. subject-matter, hence, teaching, doctrine: Act.18:15, 2Ti.2:17, al.; esp. of Christian doctrine: Mat.13:20-23, Mrk.4:14-20 8:32, Luk.1:2, Act.8:4, Gal.6:6, 1Th.1:6, al.; with genitive of person(s), τ. θεοῦ, Luk.5:1, Jhn.17:6, Act.4:29, 1Co.14:36, I Jhn.1:10, Rev.6:9, al.; τ. Κυρίου, Act.8:25, 1Th.1:8, al.; τ. Χριστοῦ, Col.3:16, Rev.3:8; with genitive appos., Act.15:7; with genitive attrib., Heb.5:13. __5. a story, tale, narrative: Mat.28:15, Jhn.21:23, Act.1:1 11:22; before περί, Luk.5:15. __6. That which is spoken of (Plat., al.; V. Kennedy, Sources, 124), matter, affair, thing: Mat.21:24, Mrk.1:45 11:29, Luk.20:3, Act.8:21; of a matter in dispute, as a case or suit at law, Act.19:38; pl. (1Ma.7:33, al.), Luk.1:4. __II. Of the inward thought itself, Lat. ratio. __1. reason, __(a) of the mental faculty (Hdt., Plat., al.): κατὰ λόγον, Act.18:14; __(b) a reason, cause: τίνι λόγῳ, Act.10:29; παρεκτὸς λόγου πορνείας, Mat.5:32 19:9, WH, mg., R, mg. __2. account, __(a) regard: Act.20:24, Rec.; __(b) reckoning: Php.4:15, 17; συναίρειν (which see) λ., Mat.18:23 25:19; in forensic sense, Rom.14:12, Heb.13:17, 1Pe.4:5; with genitive of thing(s), Luk.16:2; before περί, Mat.12:36, Act.19:40, 1Pe.3:15. __3. proportion, analogy: Php.2:16 (Field, Notes, 193 f.). __III. ὁ λ., the Divine Word or Logos: Jhn.1:1, 14; τ. ζωῆς, 1Jn.1:1; τ. θεοῦ, Rev.19:13 (see Westc, Swete, CGT, in ll.; reff. in Artt., Logos, DB, DCG). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 317 NT verses. KJV: account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; Acts 13:49; 1 Peter 1:23.

σπειρει speirō G4687 "to sow" Verb-PAI-3S

To sow means to scatter seed, either literally or figuratively. Jesus uses this term in parables, like in Matthew 13:3-4 and Mark 4:3-4.

Usage: Occurs in 42 NT verses. KJV: sow(- er), receive seed See also: 1 Corinthians 9:11; Mark 4:16; James 3:18.

Study Notes — Mark 4:14

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Mark 4:14 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Mark 4:14
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 4:14
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 4:14
Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 4:14
Cambridge Bible on Mark 4:14
Barnes' Notes on Mark 4:14
Sermons on Mark 4:14

Context — The Parable of the Sower Explained

12so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’ ” 13Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

14The farmer sows the word.

15Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16Some are like the seeds sown on rocky ground. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Acts 8:4	Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
2	Matthew 13:19	When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
3	Matthew 13:37	He replied, “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
4	1 Peter 1:23–25	For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
5	Luke 8:11	Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
6	Mark 4:3	“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.
7	Mark 2:2	they gathered in such large numbers that there was no more room, not even outside the door, as Jesus spoke the word to them.
8	Isaiah 32:20	Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely.
9	Colossians 1:5–6	the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.
10	Luke 1:2	just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

Mark 4:14 Summary

In Mark 4:14, Jesus says that the farmer sows the word, which means sharing the message of salvation and the teachings of the Bible with others. Just like a farmer plants seeds in a field, we are called to spread the word of God to those around us, trusting that it will take root and bring forth a harvest of righteousness (as seen in Matthew 13:18-23). This can be as simple as sharing a verse or a testimony with a friend, or as complex as preaching to a large crowd. The key is to trust that God's word has the power to transform lives, and to be faithful in sharing it with others (as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:18).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'sow the word' in Mark 4:14?

To sow the word means to share the message of salvation and the teachings of the Bible with others, just as a farmer sows seeds in a field, as seen in Matthew 13:18-23 and Luke 8:11.

Who is the farmer in this parable?

The farmer in this parable is likely a representation of Jesus Christ or His disciples, who are called to spread the word of God to all nations, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8.

What is the significance of the word being sown?

The word being sown represents the spreading of the gospel message, which has the power to transform lives and bring people to salvation, as seen in Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18.

How does this verse relate to our lives as believers?

As believers, we are called to be like the farmer, sowing the word of God in the lives of those around us, and trusting that God will bring forth a harvest of righteousness, as seen in Galatians 6:7-10 and 2 Corinthians 9:6.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can 'sow the word' in my daily life, and what are the potential challenges and rewards of doing so?
How can I ensure that the word of God is taking root in my own heart, and not just being superficially received?
What are some common obstacles that can prevent the word of God from taking root in someone's life, and how can I overcome them?
How can I trust that God is working through my efforts to sow the word, even when I don't see immediate results?

Gill's Exposition on Mark 4:14

The sower soweth the word. Though our Lord thought fit to give the above gentle rebuke to his disciples for their dulness; yet he condescends to favour them with an interpretation of the above

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 4:14

The sower soweth the word. The sower soweth the word - or, as in Luke (Luke 8:11), "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." But who is "the sower?" This is not expressed here, because

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 4:14

See Poole on ""

Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 4:14

IV. (1-20) He began.—See Notes on Matthew 13:1-23.

Cambridge Bible on Mark 4:14

14. The sower] This is applicable to (i) Christ, who “came forth from the Father and was come into the world” (John 16:28); (ii) His Apostles; (iii) all who go forth in His Name, and with His authority. For other comparisons of the relations of the teacher and the taught to those between the sower and the soil, comp. 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9.

Barnes' Notes on Mark 4:14

See the notes at Matthew 13:18-23.

Sermons on Mark 4:14

	Sermon	Description
	Parable of the Sower by Charles E. Fuller	In this sermon, the preacher uses an illustration of a man in a railroad station to emphasize the importance of paying attention to the message of Jesus. He explains that just like
	Perseverance by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the concept of endurance in the Christian life. He highlights three words in Hebrews chapter 12 that are attributed to Jesus Christ: endure.
	Soulish Religion by Joshua Daniel	In this sermon, Joshua Daniel emphasizes the importance of grounding ourselves in the realities of God's Word. He references Mark 4:14, highlighting the power of the Word of God to
	(Acts) Righteous, Self Control, and Judgement by Brian Brodersen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of scattering the seed of the word of God and trusting God to bring about the results. He shares a testimony of a group of peo
	(Titus - Part 5): His Word Manifested Through Preaching by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the imperfection of preaching due to the involvement of language. He explains that language is fluid and can have different meanings in diff
	Book of Acts Series - Part 10 \| One Thing Missing by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes how persecution drove the early Christians to spread the word of God. Despite facing trouble and disappointment, God used these challenges to
	Book of Acts Series - Part 8 \| Talking to God, to Men by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing and sharing the message of Jesus, which is the good news of salvation. He highlights that it is not necessary to ha