Mark 4:5 kjv
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
Mark 4:5 nkjv
Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.
Mark 4:5 niv
Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
Mark 4:5 esv
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.
Mark 4:5 nlt
Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.
Mark 4 verses
H2Meaning
Mark 4:5 describes one type of ground in the Parable of the Sower, where seeds fall on shallow soil atop bedrock. Though they quickly germinate and sprout due to warmth, they lack the deep earth necessary for root development. Spiritually, this signifies individuals who receive the Word with initial enthusiasm and joy but have no true depth of understanding or commitment, causing their faith to wither when challenges arise.
H2Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 13:5-6 | "Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth..." | Parallel parable description |
| Lk 8:6 | "Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away..." | Parallel parable description, similar outcome |
| Mk 4:16-17 | "...these likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who...endure only for a time." | Jesus' interpretation of the stony ground |
| Mt 13:20-21 | "...no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation..." | Jesus' interpretation, lack of root |
| Lk 8:13 | "But the ones on the rock are those who...for a while believe..." | Jesus' interpretation, superficial belief |
| Col 2:7 | "Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him..." | Spiritual foundation, rooted in Christ |
| Eph 3:17 | "...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted..." | Spiritual rootedness in love and faith |
| Jer 17:7-8 | "He shall be like a tree planted by the waters...nor be anxious in the year of drought." | Blessing of deep spiritual roots, enduring |
| Ps 1:3 | "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water...its leaf also shall not wither." | Enduring faith, like a well-rooted tree |
| Lk 6:47-49 | "...like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation..." | Importance of a deep spiritual foundation |
| 1 Cor 3:10-15 | "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid..." | Building on a proper foundation, durability |
| Rom 5:3-4 | "...knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character..." | Endurance through trials |
| Jas 1:2-4 | "...when you fall into various trials...produces patience." | Testing of faith produces endurance |
| Heb 10:36 | "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God..." | Necessity of perseverance |
| Gal 3:3 | "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?" | Warning against superficial spiritual life |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | "Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." | Describes those without true understanding |
| Jn 15:2 | "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away..." | Lack of fruit from shallow connection |
| Ez 47:12 | "...their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine." | Picture of nourished, fruitful life |
| Hos 14:5-6 | "I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall grow like the lily, and have roots like Lebanon." | Blessing of deep roots and stable growth |
| Is 27:6 | "In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom..." | National thriving through strong foundation |
| Eph 4:14 | "...that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro..." | Warning against spiritual instability |
| Heb 5:12 | "...you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you..." | Lack of depth, remaining immature |
H2Context
This verse is part of Jesus' Parable of the Sower (Mk 4:1-20), a foundational teaching about the different responses to God's Word. Jesus delivers this parable by the sea to a large crowd, emphasizing the public and crucial nature of its message. Following the parable, Jesus explains its meaning to His disciples (Mk 4:10-20), detailing how various "grounds" represent different heart conditions or spiritual receptivity. Mark 4:5 specifically describes the second type of ground, characteristic of Galilean terrain where thin topsoil often covered limestone bedrock. This context highlights the practical reality of seed-sowing and sets the stage for the spiritual interpretation.
H2Word analysis
Some fell: (Greek: ho men gar epesen) Identifies a distinct category of recipients, distinguishing this experience from others mentioned in the parable.
on stony ground: (Greek: epi to petrōdes) Refers not to ground with scattered stones, but overlying bedrock or stone. It implies a shallow layer of soil over an impenetrable rock bed. This ground looks fertile but hides an impediment to deep root growth.
where it had not much earth: (Greek: hopou ouk eichen gēn pollēn) Literally, "where it did not have much soil." This phrase clarifies the nature of the stony ground, specifying the critical lack of sufficient earth to sustain deep plant growth. It highlights the surface-level quality of the soil.
and immediately: (Greek: kai euthys) Mark's characteristic adverb. It signifies swiftness and promptness. Here, it denotes a rapid initial response and quick outward growth. In a spiritual sense, it represents a quick, unreserved acceptance of the Word, often with enthusiasm. However, its swiftness is a foreshadowing of its impermanence.
it sprang up: (Greek: aneteilen) "Sprang up" or "rose up." This indicates that germination and visible growth did occur. The seed began to sprout and grow upward, demonstrating an initial sign of life and development.
because it had no depth of earth: (Greek: dia to mē echein bathos gēs) This clause reveals the fundamental reason for the problem described in the previous phrase. The lack of "depth" (bathos) in the soil directly impacts the plant's ability to develop a root system. Spiritually, it signifies a lack of deep conviction, understanding, or commitment in one's spiritual life, essential for enduring trials.
Words-group Analysis
"Some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth": This phrase precisely defines the nature of the unpromising soil. It establishes that the problem is not the seed's quality but the inherent limitation of the ground itself – a surface appearance of suitability, yet an underlying shallowness.
"and immediately it sprang up": This highlights the paradox of this soil. The shallow soil allows for rapid germination due to proximity to the warm surface. It represents a superficial, instantaneous spiritual reaction that might look promising from the outside.
"because it had no depth of earth": This crucial explanatory clause links the rapid superficial growth to its inevitable demise. It underlines the causal relationship between the physical lack of depth in the soil and the plant's inability to establish proper roots. Spiritually, this points to a shallow spiritual foundation, a lack of firm grounding in conviction and discipleship that cannot withstand challenges.
H2Commentary
Mark 4:5 describes the seemingly promising but ultimately unfruitful ground in the Parable of the Sower. The immediate springing up of the seed is a deceptive sign; it's a direct consequence of the seed's closeness to the sun's warmth, facilitated by the shallow soil. However, this very lack of depth prevents the necessary rooting that allows a plant to draw sustained nourishment and withstand harsh conditions. Spiritually, this portrays a hearer who receives God's Word with great excitement, showing immediate, visible signs of faith. Yet, lacking true inner depth—a settled conviction, understanding, or willingness to grapple with the demands of discipleship—this initial enthusiasm is short-lived. Such a heart may respond to emotional appeal but fails to count the cost or establish true roots of perseverance, making it susceptible to withering under affliction or persecution (as explained in Mk 4:17). This emphasizes that initial reception, even with joy, is insufficient without deep, foundational commitment to God's truth.
H2Bonus section
This verse sets the stage for the outcome described in Mark 4:6. The lack of "depth of earth" is the inherent defect of this soil that predisposes the seedling to fail when the "sun rose and scorched it." Thus, Mark 4:5 defines the spiritual vulnerability, while Mark 4:6 demonstrates the inevitable consequence. The sun, a source of life for deeply rooted plants, becomes an agent of destruction for those lacking roots. This underscores the crucial spiritual principle that what superficially brings initial life (like positive emotional responses) can become a test that reveals the lack of a true, internal foundation, leading to spiritual failure.