Mark 4 6

Mark 4:6 kjv

But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

Mark 4:6 nkjv

But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.

Mark 4:6 niv

But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

Mark 4:6 esv

And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.

Mark 4:6 nlt

But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn't have deep roots, it died.

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 6 Meaning

Mark 4:6 describes the fate of seed sown on rocky ground, specifically a place with shallow soil covering rock. When the sun rises, symbolizing external pressure or tribulation, the young shoots are scorched because they lack deep roots for moisture and stability. This illustrates a type of spiritual receptivity where an individual receives the word with initial enthusiasm but lacks genuine internal depth or a foundational commitment to Christ. Consequently, their faith is temporary and withers under the heat of trials, persecution, or difficulty, failing to produce lasting fruit.

Mark 4 6 Context

Mark chapter 4 primarily focuses on Jesus teaching in parables about the Kingdom of God, beginning with the Parable of the Sower. This parable (Mark 4:1-20) describes various responses to the proclamation of the word. Mark 4:6 is the second stage in describing the fate of seed sown on rocky ground (the third type of soil mentioned). The preceding verses (Mark 4:4-5) introduce this specific soil, where the seed springs up quickly due to shallow soil but lacks sufficient depth. The parables were delivered to a large crowd by the sea, highlighting Jesus' method of conveying spiritual truths in an accessible yet profound manner, with deeper explanations provided to His disciples privately. Historically, this period reflects Jesus' active teaching ministry as the Kingdom was being announced, facing both reception and rejection.

Mark 4 6 Word analysis

• But (δὲ, de): Functions as a mild contrast or continuation, signaling a new development in the seed's fate. It indicates a transition from rapid sprouting to a negative outcome.
• when the sun was up (ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου, anateilantos tou hēliou): This phrase describes the sun's rising and gaining strength. In agricultural terms, it's natural warmth, but in the parable's spiritual interpretation, as clarified by Jesus later (Mark 4:17), it symbolizes the arrival of "tribulation or persecution." This heat represents adversity and tests that challenge a person's faith.
• it was scorched (ἐκαυματίσθη, ekaumatistē): Derived from kaumatizō, meaning "to burn," "to scorch," or "to be burned with fever." It signifies an intense, destructive heat. Spiritually, this depicts the devastating effect of trials on a superficial faith, burning away what lacks substance.
• and because (καὶ διά, kai dia): A causal conjunction. It directly links the consequence (scorching and withering) to the underlying reason (no root). This emphasizes that the outcome is not arbitrary but a direct result of the condition of the ground/heart.
• it had no root (τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ῥίζαν, to mē echein rhizan):
  • root (ῥίζαν, rhizan): This is the critical deficiency. A root system provides an anchor for stability and absorbs water and nutrients vital for a plant's survival, especially under stress. Spiritually, "no root" signifies a lack of depth, a shallow foundation, or a superficial connection to the spiritual truth. It speaks of a faith that hasn't penetrated the heart deeply, lacking true conversion, understanding, or commitment. It implies absence of spiritual nourishment drawn from God through steadfast devotion, prayer, and dwelling in His word.
• it withered away (ἐξηράνθη, exēranthē): From xērainō, meaning "to dry up," "to wither," "to shrivel." This is the ultimate outcome of the scorching and lack of roots. It portrays a gradual but complete demise, where the initial vibrant sprout dies. Spiritually, it signifies apostasy—a drawing back, losing spiritual vitality, and ultimately falling away from faith under pressure. It's not just temporary discouragement but a complete spiritual collapse.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "when the sun was up, it was scorched": This phrase highlights the external environmental pressure. The sun, which normally sustains life, becomes an agent of destruction for plants lacking proper root systems. This powerfully symbolizes how common life challenges, or specifically persecution "for the sake of the word" (Mark 4:17), can become unbearable for those with shallow faith.
• "and because it had no root, it withered away": This second phrase directly links the internal spiritual deficiency ("no root") to the final tragic outcome ("it withered away"). It underscores that the reason for the failure under pressure is not primarily the tribulation itself, but the unpreparedness and lack of inner spiritual foundation to withstand it. The inability to draw sustenance from a deep source leads to inevitable demise.

Mark 4 6 Bonus section

The Parable of the Sower emphasizes that the "problem" is never with the sower or the seed (the Word of God), but always with the condition of the soil, representing the human heart. This verse particularly focuses on the "rocky ground" as distinct from the "thorny ground" (choked by worries and desires) or the "wayside" (snatched away by Satan). While the wayside hearts are impenetrable, and the thorny hearts are distracted, the rocky hearts are initially receptive but lack the depth required for endurance. This highlights a critical spiritual danger: outward flourishing without inner spiritual fortitude. It underscores that enduring faith requires deliberate cultivation of deep roots in God's truth, sustained by His Spirit, to draw nourishment and withstand the inevitable storms and "heat" of life. It implies that true conversion goes beyond an initial emotional response to encompass a radical transformation that secures the soul's foundation in Christ.

Mark 4 6 Commentary

Mark 4:6 encapsulates the spiritual fragility of those who receive the Gospel with superficial enthusiasm. The rapid growth of the sprout symbolizes initial, outward responsiveness, often driven by emotional appeal or temporary excitement without genuine commitment or deep internal change. The "rocky ground" is not impenetrable but has a thin layer of soil, preventing the roots from finding the necessary depth for sustenance. When "the sun was up," representing tribulation or persecution for the Word's sake, this external heat becomes a test. Because there's "no root," no true grounding in Christ, no sustained engagement with spiritual disciplines, or no foundational understanding and embrace of the Word, the nascent faith is scorched. It "withered away," signifying a complete falling away or apostasy, revealing that the belief was temporary and ultimately not salvific. The verse serves as a sober warning against a shallow, unexamined faith that cannot withstand adversity, contrasting sharply with true, deeply rooted faith that endures and produces lasting fruit.