Mark 4 8

Mark 4:8 kjv

And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

Mark 4:8 nkjv

But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."

Mark 4:8 niv

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times."

Mark 4:8 esv

And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

Mark 4:8 nlt

Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 8 Meaning

Mark 4:8 describes the positive outcome when the seed of God's Word falls on fertile ground, symbolizing a receptive human heart. Unlike the other soils in the parable that yield no fruit or limited growth, the "good soil" hears the word, embraces it, and allows it to grow deeply, resulting in extraordinary and diverse spiritual fruitfulness—thirty, sixty, or a hundred times what was sown. This illustrates the powerful, life-transforming potential of the Kingdom message when received with understanding and obedience.

Mark 4 8 Context

Mark 4:8 is part of Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, delivered to a large crowd by the Sea of Galilee. This parable serves as a foundational teaching on how the message of the Kingdom of God is received and the varied outcomes. Preceding this verse, Jesus describes the seed falling on three types of infertile ground: the path (snatched away by Satan), rocky ground (initially zealous but lacks root, withers under persecution), and thorny ground (choked by worldly cares). Verse 8 then presents the sharp contrast, revealing the desired response to the Kingdom's proclamation. Jesus' use of an agricultural metaphor would have been immediately understandable to His agrarian audience, drawing a vivid picture of spiritual receptivity. This parable often challenged the listeners to reflect on their own "soil" or heart condition in response to His teaching.

Mark 4 8 Word analysis

• Other seed (ἄλλα σπαρμένα - alla sparmena): "Other sown things." This immediately distinguishes it from the previously described unproductive seeds. It highlights a change in outcome based on the environment where the seed (the Word of God) lands.
• fell into good soil (γῆν τὴν καλήν - gēn tēn kalēn): gēn means 'earth' or 'land', and kalēn is 'good', 'beautiful', or 'excellent'. This isn't just physically fertile earth, but metaphorically implies a receptive, suitable, and prepared heart. It’s a heart that hears, understands, and embraces the truth, creating the ideal environment for spiritual growth.
• and produced grain (ἐδίδου καρπόν - edidou karpon): edidou is imperfect tense of 'to give', suggesting a continuous, ongoing process of giving or yielding. karpon means 'fruit' or 'produce'. This signifies that the result is not just growth but actual fruit—tangible, visible evidence of spiritual life and transformation.
• growing up (ἀναβαίνοντα - anabainonta): This present participle indicates an active, ongoing process of ascending or coming up, signifying organic growth and development from the initial planting.
• and increasing (αὐξανόμενα - auxanomena): This is a passive participle, meaning 'being increased' or 'made to grow'. While the soil is good, this emphasizes that the increase itself is not solely due to the soil's inherent ability but also implies a divine agency or inherent power within the seed and the environment enabling multiplication.
• and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold (ἔφερεν εἰς τριάκοντα καὶ ἑξήκοντα καὶ ἑκατόν - epheren eis triakonta kai hexakonta kai hekaton): epheren (imperfect of pherō) means 'to bear' or 'bring forth', continuing the idea of ongoing production. The numbers (thirty, sixty, one hundred) are hyperbolic for ancient agricultural yields (which were typically much lower, around 7-10 fold, occasionally 20). This signifies an extraordinary, supernatural, and abundant fruitfulness, far exceeding natural expectations. It also denotes that while all good soil bears fruit, there are varying degrees of spiritual productivity and impact among believers.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Other seed fell into good soil": This phrase marks a turning point in the parable. It shifts focus from wasted potential to the extraordinary results achievable when God's message finds fertile ground in a truly receptive human heart.
• "and produced grain, growing up and increasing": This tripartite description outlines the complete process of spiritual fruitfulness. It moves from initial yield ("produced grain") to active vertical development ("growing up"), and then to internal expansion and multiplication ("increasing"), emphasizing that true reception leads to progressive and expanding spiritual vitality.
• "and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold": This climactic phrase underscores the amazing abundance and diverse potential of the Kingdom. The differing magnitudes highlight that spiritual fruitfulness, while consistently supernaturally good, manifests in various levels of impact and maturity among believers. All levels are commendable and blessed.

Mark 4 8 Bonus section

• The "good soil" is not inherently superior but rather represents a heart that, through grace and conscious choice, has been prepared to genuinely hear, welcome, and obey God's word. It suggests a cultivated disposition rather than innate perfection.
• The emphasis on "growing up and increasing" underscores that spiritual life is not static; it is dynamic and progressive, leading to greater maturity and fruitfulness over time.
• The supernatural yields (thirty, sixty, hundredfold) serve as a promise of God's abundant blessing on His work and a foretaste of the future ingathering in the Kingdom of God, a yield beyond natural expectation.
• This verse indirectly encourages self-examination: What kind of "soil" is one's own heart? Am I genuinely receiving and allowing the Word to take root and bear fruit?

Mark 4 8 Commentary

Mark 4:8 is the culmination of the Parable of the Sower, painting a hopeful picture of the transformative power of the Kingdom's message. It reveals that when God's word is truly received by a "good soil" heart—one that is prepared, open, understands, and acts upon the truth—it generates astonishing spiritual fruitfulness. The "good soil" isn't flawless, but rather characterized by receptivity and a readiness to hear and obey. The differing yields (thirty, sixty, hundredfold) highlight the incredible abundance that comes from God's work in a yielded life, but also acknowledge that spiritual productivity varies among individuals. This isn't a competition but rather a testament to the supernatural power of the Word when met with sincere faith and obedience, far surpassing what natural human effort could achieve. It assures us that, despite opposition and superficial reception, the Word will ultimately triumph and produce glorious, abundant results in receptive hearts.