Mark 4:3-13

The Parable of the Sower

3 "Listen! y A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And z when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, a it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among b thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and c a hundredfold." 9 And he said, d "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

The Purpose of the Parables

10 And e when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, f "To you has been given g the secret of the kingdom of God, but for h those outside everything is in parables,

12 i so that
"they j may indeed see but not perceive,
and may indeed hear but not understand,
lest they k should turn and be forgiven."

13 l And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

  1. Cross References
    Isaiah 55:10
    For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.
    Amos 9:13
    Behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord, "when the plowman shall overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it.
  2. Cross References
    James 1:11
    For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
  3. Cross References
    John 15:6
    If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
  4. Cross References
    Jeremiah 4:3
    For thus says the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: "Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
  5. Cross References
    Mark 4:20
    But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.
    Genesis 26:12
    And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him.
  6. Cross References
    Matthew 11:15
    He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
  7. Cross References
    Mark 4:34
    He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 19:11
    But he said to them, "Not everyone can receive ...
    Colossians 1:27
    To them God chose to make known how great among...
    1 Corinthians 2:6 - 10
    Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, altho...
    1 John 2:20
    But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and...
    1 John 2:27
    But the anointing that you received from him ab...
    Matthew 11:25
    At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Fath...
  9. Cross References
    Romans 16:25
    Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
  10. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:12 - 13
    For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
    Colossians 4:5
    Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
    1 Thessalonians 4:12
    So that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
    1 Timothy 3:7
    Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
  11. Cross References
    Isaiah 6:9 - 10
    And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.
  12. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 29:4
    But to this day the Lord has not given you a he...
    Jeremiah 5:21
    Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who ...
    Ezekiel 12:2
    Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebelli...
    Romans 11:8
    As it is written, "God gave them a spirit of st...
    2 Corinthians 3:14
    But their minds were hardened. For to this day,...
    2 Corinthians 4:4
    In their case the god of this world has blinded...
    Isaiah 42:19 - 20
    Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my mess...
  13. Cross References
    Luke 22:32
    But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
  14. Cross References
    Mark 4:13 - 20
    And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
    Matthew 13:18 - 23
    Hear then the parable of the sower:
    Luke 8:11 - 15
    Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
  15. Cross References
    Mark 4:13 - 20
    And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
    Matthew 13:18 - 23
    Hear then the parable of the sower:
    Luke 8:11 - 15
    Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.