Mark 4
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Again v he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, w so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.
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And x he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:
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"Listen! y A sower went out to sow.
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And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.
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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.
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And z when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, a it withered away.
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Other seed fell among b thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.
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And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and c a hundredfold."
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And he said, d "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
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And e when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
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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,
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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."
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l And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
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m The sower sows n the word.
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And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.
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And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it o with joy.
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And they have no root in themselves, but p endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately q they fall away.
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And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word,
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but r the cares of s the world and t the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
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But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and u bear fruit, v thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."
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w And he said to them, x "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?
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y For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.
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z If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
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And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: a with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.
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b For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
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And he said, c "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.
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He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; d he knows not how.
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The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
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But when the grain is ripe, at once e he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."
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f And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?
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It is like g a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,
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yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."
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h With many such parables he spoke i the word to them, j as they were able to hear it.
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He did not speak to them k without a parable, but l privately to his own disciples he m explained everything.
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n On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."
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And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.
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And a great windstorm arose, and the waves o were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
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But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
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And he awoke and p rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and q there was a great calm.
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He said to them, "Why are you r so afraid? Have you still no faith?"
41
And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, s "Who then is this, that even t the wind and the sea obey him?"
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Cross References
Mark 4:1 - 12
Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.
Matthew 13:1 - 15
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.
Luke 8:4 - 10
And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable:
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Cross References
Mark 3:9
And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him.
Luke 5:1 - 3
On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.
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Cross References
Mark 4:1 - 12
Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.
Matthew 13:1 - 15
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.
Luke 8:4 - 10
And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable:
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Cross References
Mark 4:33
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cross References
Matthew 11:15
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
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Cross References
Mark 4:34
He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
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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...
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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
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cross References
Matthew 13:37
He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
John 4:36 - 37
Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.
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Cross References
Mark 4:33
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.
Mark 2:2
And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.
Luke 1:2
Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us.
Acts 8:4
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
James 1:21
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
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Cross References
Mark 6:20
For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
Isaiah 58:2
Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.
Ezekiel 33:31 - 32
And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.
John 5:35
He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
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Cross References
Galatians 1:6
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel -
Hosea 6:4
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.
Galatians 5:7
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
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Cross References
Matthew 11:6
And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.
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Cross References
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
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Cross References
2 Timothy 4:10
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
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Cross References
1 Timothy 6:9 - 10
But those who desire to be rich fall into tempt...
1 Timothy 6:17
As for the rich in this present age, charge the...
Mark 10:23
And Jesus looked around and said to his discipl...
Matthew 19:23
And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say ...
Acts 5:1 - 11
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira...
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it...
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Cross References
Hosea 14:8
O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Philippians 1:11
Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Colossians 1:6
Which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing - as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.
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Cross References
Mark 4:8
And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.
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Cross References
Mark 4:21 - 25
And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?
Luke 8:16 - 18
No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
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Cross References
Matthew 5:15
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Luke 11:33
No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
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Cross References
Mark 4:21 - 25
And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?
Luke 8:16 - 18
No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
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Cross References
Matthew 10:26
So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
Luke 12:2
Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
1 Timothy 5:25
So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
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Cross References
Mark 4:9
And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
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Cross References
Matthew 7:2
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
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Cross References
Matthew 13:12
For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
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Cross References
Matthew 13:24 - 30
He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
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Cross References
Ecclesiastes 11:5 - 6
As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
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Cross References
Joel 3:13
Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great.
Revelation 14:15
And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.
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Cross References
Mark 4:30 - 32
And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?
Matthew 13:31 - 32
He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.
Luke 13:18 - 19
He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
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Cross References
Mark 4:30 - 32
And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?
Matthew 13:31 - 32
He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.
Luke 13:18 - 19
He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
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Cross References
Matthew 17:20
He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.
Luke 17:6
And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
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Cross References
Matthew 13:34
All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.
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Cross References
Mark 4:14
The sower sows the word.
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Cross References
John 16:12
I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
1 Corinthians 3:2
I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready.
Hebrews 5:12
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food.
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Cross References
John 16:25
I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.
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Cross References
Mark 4:10
And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
Mark 13:3
And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately.
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Cross References
2 Peter 1:20
Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.
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Cross References
Mark 4:35 - 41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side.
Matthew 8:18
Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.
Matthew 8:23 - 27
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.
Luke 8:22 - 25
One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they set out.
John 6:16 - 21
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea.
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Cross References
Mark 4:35 - 41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side.
Matthew 8:18
Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.
Matthew 8:23 - 27
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.
Luke 8:22 - 25
One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they set out.
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Cross References
Acts 27:14
But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.
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Cross References
Psalms 104:7
At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
Luke 4:39
And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.
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Cross References
Job 38:11
And said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed'?
Psalms 65:7
Who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.
Mark 6:51
And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded.
Matthew 14:32
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
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Cross References
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
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Cross References
Mark 1:27
And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.
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Cross References
Luke 5:9
For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.