Mark 4

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 4 of 16

1 And again He began to teach beside the sea. And a large crowd was gathered to Him, so that He stepped into the boat in order to sit in the sea. And all the crowd were on the land toward the sea.

2 And He taught them many things in parables, and said to them in His teaching:

3 Listen! Behold, the sower went out to sow.

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Chapter Summary

1 The parable of the sower, 14 and the meaning. 26 The parable of the seed growing secretly. 35 Christ calms the storm at sea.

Key Greek Words

παρὰ above, against, among G3844
ὄχλος company, multitude, number (of people) G3793
⸀πλεῖστος abundant, altogether, common G4183
ὥστε so that (then), that, there G5620
ἦλθεν accompany, appear, bring G2064

People & Context

The Parable of the Sower

Jesus teaches a large crowd from a boat on the sea, sharing the parable of the sower whose seeds fall on the road, rocky places, thorn-bushes, and goo…

Parables of the Lamp and Seeds

Jesus teaches that a lamp should be placed on a lampstand, not under a basket. He then compares the kingdom of God to a seed that sprouts and grows of…

Calming the Windstorm

While crossing the sea, a great windstorm fills the boat with water. Jesus, sleeping on the stern, is awakened by terrified disciples. He rebukes the …

Timeline

The Parable of the Sower

Jesus teaches a large crowd from a boat on the sea, sharing the parable of the sower whose seeds fall on the road, rocky places, thorn-bushes, and good ground. He privately explains to the Twelve that the seed is the Word and the soils represent different responses to it.

Mark 4:1-20
Parables of the Lamp and Seeds

Jesus teaches that a lamp should be placed on a lampstand, not under a basket. He then compares the kingdom of God to a seed that sprouts and grows of itself until the harvest, and to a tiny mustard seed that grows into a plant with great branches.

Mark 4:21-34
Calming the Windstorm

While crossing the sea, a great windstorm fills the boat with water. Jesus, sleeping on the stern, is awakened by terrified disciples. He rebukes the wind and sea, causing a great calm, and questions their lack of faith.

Mark 4:35-41

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