Mark 4 14

Mark 4:14 kjv

The sower soweth the word.

Mark 4:14 nkjv

The sower sows the word.

Mark 4:14 niv

The farmer sows the word.

Mark 4:14 esv

The sower sows the word.

Mark 4:14 nlt

The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others.

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 14 Meaning

This verse acts as the interpretive key to the Parable of the Sower. Jesus, clarifying for His disciples, identifies the "seed" mentioned in the parable (Mk 4:3) as "the word." This "word" is the divine message, the Good News of the Kingdom of God, which is sown by the "sower." The verse fundamentally explains that the ongoing action of proclaiming God's truth is likened to the essential agricultural act of scattering seeds.

Mark 4 14 Context

Mark chapter 4 opens with Jesus teaching by the sea, addressing a large crowd. He begins with the Parable of the Sower (Mk 4:3-9), illustrating how His message would be received in varied ways. Following this, He privately explains to His disciples why He speaks in parables, noting that the "mystery of the Kingdom of God" is given to them, but veiled from "outsiders" (Mk 4:10-12). Mark 4:14 then directly serves as the interpretive key, explicitly identifying the central element of the parable. This immediate clarification is vital for the disciples to understand the subsequent detailed explanation of the different types of soil. The broader historical context is Jesus' early public ministry, where His proclamation of the Kingdom was encountering diverse reactions, ranging from enthusiastic acceptance to outright rejection or superficial engagement, thus necessitating an explanation for such varied responses.

Mark 4 14 Word analysis

• The sower (Ὁ σπείρων - Ho speirōn)

  • Original: This is the Greek present active participle of speirō, meaning "to sow" or "to scatter seed." The definite article "Ho" emphasizes "the" specific sower mentioned as the main character at the outset of the parable (Mk 4:3).
  • Significance: While primarily referring to Jesus Himself, who first proclaimed the Kingdom message, it also implicitly includes anyone commissioned to spread the Gospel message. It signifies the active, purposeful agent in the dissemination of divine truth.
  • Nuance: The ongoing participle form highlights the continuous nature of this activity; sowing the word is a persistent mission.

• sows (σπείρει - speirei)

  • Original: This is the present active indicative form of speirō, again "to sow." The repetition of the root "sow" immediately after "the sower" places strong emphasis on the central action of the parable.
  • Significance: The present tense again stresses that this is an ongoing, continual activity, not a past, finished event. It describes the consistent effort in the proclamation of the Gospel.
  • Context: This seemingly redundant verb serves to powerfully reaffirm the essential, direct action of the sower.

• the word (τὸν λόγον - ton logon)

  • Original: This is the accusative singular form of the Greek noun logos (word, message, reason, account), preceded by the definite article "ton."
  • Significance: This is the critical identification of the verse. In this context, logos specifically means the divine message of the Kingdom of God, the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not mere human discourse but divine revelation, the truth about God's salvific purpose.
  • Power: This logos possesses inherent power and life, capable of bringing about spiritual regeneration and transformation in the hearts of those who receive it. It is the vital seed containing eternal life.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "The sower sows the word.": This terse and direct statement immediately clarifies the meaning of the central element in Jesus' parable. It decisively identifies the "seed" with the divine message, the Gospel of the Kingdom. This identification is crucial for understanding the rest of the parable, as it frames the sower's action as the persistent proclamation of God's truth. This simple phrase lays the groundwork for the ensuing discussion on why the message of the Kingdom is received with such varied responses. It emphasizes both the universality of the message being scattered and the active role of those who share it.

Mark 4 14 Bonus section

This pivotal verse, by identifying the seed as "the word," underpins the understanding of all subsequent interpretations within the parable of the Sower (Mk 4:15-20). It highlights that the progress of God's Kingdom is intricately tied to the widespread and consistent dissemination of His divine truth. This revelation was critical for Jesus' disciples, helping them comprehend the varying levels of responsiveness to Jesus' ministry and preparing them for the realities of their own future evangelical work. They learned that even when faced with resistance or indifference, their commission remained to faithfully "sow the word," trusting in its inherent power rather than solely in human efforts or outcomes. It sets the foundation for understanding spiritual growth and transformation as a direct result of hearing and receiving this specific "word."

Mark 4 14 Commentary

Mark 4:14 serves as Jesus' authoritative interpretation of the primary element within His foundational Parable of the Sower. By explicitly stating, "The sower sows the word," Jesus provides the essential key to understanding the allegory. The "word" (logos) here unequivocally represents the Gospel – the divine, life-giving message of God's Kingdom. This powerful word is inherently transformative, carrying within it the capacity for spiritual life and eternal fruit, much like a physical seed holds the potential for vegetation. The "sower" primarily denotes Jesus, who initially scatters this message, but by extension, it also refers to His disciples and all who are called to proclaim God's truth throughout history. This verse strategically shifts the interpretative focus from the intrinsic quality of the "seed" (which is perfect and powerful) to the variable conditions of the "soil"—symbolizing the human heart's capacity for reception. Thus, the passage establishes that any lack of fruitfulness lies not with the Word itself, but with how it is heard, understood, and received. This declaration provides a fundamental insight into the mission of the Kingdom: its spread is not through worldly power, but through the consistent scattering of the divine message, which demands an appropriate response from the hearer.

• Examples for practical usage:
  • A minister continuously teaching God's Word, understanding its intrinsic power to change lives regardless of visible immediate results.
  • A believer sharing the Gospel with conviction, recognizing that the "word" itself is alive and active, able to penetrate hearts.
  • Parents diligently teaching their children Scripture, trusting that the divine "seed" will take root over time in good soil.