Mark 4:20 kjv
And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
Mark 4:20 nkjv
But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
Mark 4:20 niv
Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop?some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown."
Mark 4:20 esv
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."
Mark 4:20 nlt
And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"
Mark 4 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 4:8 | Still other seed fell on good soil... it produced a crop, yielding thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown. | Context of the parable; describes the yield |
| Lk 8:15 | But the seed on good soil represents those who hear the word with a good, honest heart, keep it, and then produce a great harvest through patient endurance. | Clarifies "good ground" and adds "patient endurance" |
| Ps 1:2-3 | but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. | Blessed man meditating on God's word, bearing fruit |
| Jn 15:4-8 | Remain in me, as I also remain in you... No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine... This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit... | Necessity of abiding in Christ to bear fruit |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. | Defines the character of spiritual fruit |
| Col 1:10 | so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, | Fruitfulness expressed through good works |
| Php 1:11 | filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. | Links fruit directly to righteousness in Christ |
| Heb 12:11 | No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness for those who have been trained by it. | Fruit of righteousness produced through discipline |
| Jas 1:22 | Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. | Emphasizes doing, not just hearing the Word |
| 1 Thes 2:13 | And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. | Example of truly receiving the Word, leading to its work |
| Acts 2:41 | Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. | Initial fruitfulness of receiving the gospel |
| Mt 7:17-20 | Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit... Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. | Understanding true identity through spiritual fruit |
| Rom 7:4 | So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. | Believers bearing fruit for God through Christ |
| Hos 10:12 | Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. | Call to spiritual preparation for fruitfulness |
| Mt 13:23 | But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop... | Parallel verse in Matthew's Gospel |
| Jn 12:24 | Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. | Principle of multiplication from a single "seed" |
| 2 Cor 9:10 | Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. | God's provision for spiritual harvest |
| Rom 6:22 | But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap is sanctification, and the result is eternal life. | Outcome of being freed from sin; bearing fruit unto holiness |
| Jer 17:7-8 | But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream... | Blessing and stability associated with trusting in God, leading to endurance and fruitfulness |
| Mt 3:8 | Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. | The call for tangible evidence of inward change |
Mark 4 verses
Mark 4 20 Meaning
Mark 4:20 concludes the Parable of the Sower's explanation, focusing on the ideal outcome of receiving the Word of God. It describes individuals whose hearts are like "good ground"—they not only hear the Word but also actively embrace it, taking it into themselves. This acceptance leads to the natural consequence of spiritual fruitfulness, manifesting in varying degrees: thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold, indicating diverse levels of growth and productivity for the kingdom of God. This fruitfulness is evidence of true reception and spiritual life, reflecting a life transformed by the Gospel.
Mark 4 20 Context
Mark 4:20 is the culminating explanation within the Parable of the Sower, spoken by Jesus. This parable (Mk 4:1-9) is the first of many parables in this chapter, serving as foundational teaching about the nature of God's Word and its reception. Jesus introduces the idea that while God's Word is indiscriminately sown (representing the widespread preaching of the Gospel), its effectiveness depends on the spiritual condition of the "soil"—the human heart. Following the parable, the disciples question Jesus, prompting Him to reveal that parables are given to illuminate truth for those prepared to receive it (Mk 4:10-12). He then interprets the parable (Mk 4:13-20), explicitly detailing the four types of soil and their respective outcomes when the Word is sown. Verse 20 specifically describes the successful, fruitful reception, directly contrasting the previous descriptions of failure (seed along the path, on rocky ground, and among thorns). The broader historical and cultural context would have resonated deeply with Jesus' audience, as agriculture was a central aspect of daily life, making the imagery readily understandable. This parable subtly challenges the assumption that simply hearing the Word is sufficient, instead highlighting the necessity of an active, responsive heart for true spiritual growth.
Mark 4 20 Word analysis
- And these are the ones sown (Καὶ οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ σπαρέντες - kai houtoi eisin hoi sparentes):
- οἱ σπαρέντες (hoi sparentes): Masculine plural aorist passive participle of σπείρω (speirō, "to sow"). This passive construction is significant. It implies that "they" are those who have been sown, indicating that it is the person who is the 'ground' into which the seed (the Word) is sown, making them integral to the reception. They are not merely recipients but also represent the very soil in which the Word takes root.
- This phrase connects the listeners back to the 'seed' metaphor. They embody the good soil.
- on good ground (ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν τὴν καλήν - epi tēn gēn tēn kalēn):
- καλήν (kalēn): "Good," "excellent," "beautiful," "proper." Implies suitable quality for cultivation. Spiritually, this suggests a heart prepared, open, honest, and receptive, ready for divine truth.
- The imagery is directly from farming: ground prepared to yield a harvest. Spiritually, it's about a fertile heart condition.
- those who hear (οἵτινες ἀκούουσιν - hoitines akouousin):
- ἀκούουσιν (akouousin): Present active indicative of ἀκούω (akouō, "to hear"). Emphasizes an ongoing, habitual action of hearing. More than just passively receiving sound waves, it suggests attentiveness and understanding.
- Highlights the initial critical step of engaging with the divine message.
- the word (τὸν λόγον - ton logon):
- λόγον (logon): "Word," "message," "Gospel." Here, specifically refers to the message of the kingdom of God, the Good News Jesus proclaims.
- The content of the seed, essential for growth.
- accept it (καὶ παραδέχονται - kai paradechontai):
- παραδέχονται (paradechontai): Present active indicative of παραδέχομαι (paradechomai), meaning "to receive alongside," "to welcome heartily," "to embrace," "to take up what is offered." This is a crucial verb. It's stronger than mere intellectual assent. It implies personal appropriation, a willing and cordial reception that incorporates the word into one's inner being. It includes belief, commitment, and personal transformation.
- This moves beyond mere hearing to internalizing and owning the message, marking genuine faith.
- Contrasts with rejection, falling away due to tribulation, or being choked by worldly cares.
- and bear fruit (καὶ καρποφοροῦσιν - kai karpophorousin):
- καρποφοροῦσιν (karpophorousin): Present active indicative of καρποφορέω (karpophorēō), meaning "to bear fruit," "to yield a harvest," "to be fruitful." Signifies continuous, productive spiritual life.
- Spiritual fruit can include: changes in character (fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22-23), good works (Php 1:11, Col 1:10), leading others to faith, sacrificial living, and demonstrating God's character.
- The ultimate proof of genuine reception of the Word.
- some thirtyfold (ἓν τριάκοντα - hen triakonta):
- Reflects diversity in spiritual growth and output. Not everyone produces the same quantity, yet all are fruitful.
- This acknowledges God's sovereignty, individual grace, gifts, circumstances, and responsiveness.
- some sixty (καὶ ἓν ἑξήκοντα - kai hen hexēkonta):
- Another measure of the differing yields.
- and some a hundred (καὶ ἓν ἑκατόν - kai hen hekaton):
- The highest measure of fruitfulness described.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "those who hear the word, accept it": This highlights the active progression of engagement with the Word. It begins with careful listening (ἀκούουσιν) and moves to genuine, wholehearted reception (παραδέχονται). This reception is a commitment, distinguishing those with shallow roots or worldly distractions from the truly converted. It signifies faith that involves the mind, will, and emotions.
- "and bear fruit—some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred": This entire phrase encapsulates the purpose and outcome of true reception. The bearing fruit (καρποφοροῦσιν) indicates a life that reflects and produces God's kingdom values and righteousness. The specific numbers emphasize not uniformity but variability in fruitfulness, while still affirming that any yield (thirty, sixty, or a hundred) is a success and a sign of true life. This encourages faithfulness regardless of perceived magnitude and recognizes God's different work in different lives.
Mark 4 20 Bonus section
The concept of "good ground" also carries a polemic undertone against those who hear God's word but do not yield fruit, specifically, it critiques any spiritual condition characterized by superficiality (rocky ground) or preoccupation with worldly concerns (thorny ground). It implies that external religious adherence without internal transformation and fruitfulness is insufficient and ultimately ineffective in God's economy. The "good ground" represents not innate human goodness, but a divinely prepared and responsive heart, capable of spiritual germination. The harvest, whether thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold, suggests a growth beyond the mere seed sown, indicative of divine power multiplying within human yieldedness. This growth is also understood as part of a patient process; as highlighted in Luke's parallel, "patient endurance" (Lk 8:15) is key to this fruitfulness, indicating that the 'good ground' endures and preserves the Word through trials.
Mark 4 20 Commentary
Mark 4:20 stands as the blessed culmination of the Parable of the Sower, illuminating the outcome of genuinely receiving God's Word. It identifies those whose hearts are prepared like "good ground," not merely hearing the divine message, but actively welcoming and internalizing it. This act of "accepting" (παραδέχονται) goes beyond intellectual assent, implying a deep, transformative embrace of truth, leading to profound commitment. As a direct result of this heartfelt reception, a process of "bearing fruit" (καρποφοροῦσιν) begins. This fruitfulness is multi-faceted, encompassing Christ-like character, righteous deeds, evangelistic witness, and perseverance through trials. The varying degrees of yield—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold—underscore divine sovereignty and the diverse capacities and callings of believers, demonstrating that all genuine fruitfulness, regardless of quantity, is valued in God's eyes and confirms the life-giving power of the Word sown in a good heart. It encourages believers to cultivate receptive hearts and reminds that the ultimate evidence of true faith is a life lived in fruitful obedience and devotion to Christ.
Examples:
- A believer whose spiritual growth transforms their family and workplace with Christ-like kindness (yielding fruit).
- A person who dedicates their gifts to ministry, seeing many come to faith as a result of their consistent efforts.
- Someone whose daily life quietly but profoundly demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit, influencing those around them through their consistent walk with God.