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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 4:3 "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/4-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/41_Mrk_04_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 4:3 - The Parable of the Sower" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Listen! 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A farmer went out to sow his seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/mark/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/mark/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/mark/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />"Listen! Behold, the <i>one</i> sowing went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/mark/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/mark/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Listen <i>to this!</i> Behold, the sower went out to sow;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/mark/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Listen <i>to this!</i> Behold, the sower went out to sow;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/mark/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Listen <i>to this</i>! Behold, the sower went out to sow;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/mark/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Listen! A sower went out to sow <i>seed;</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Listen! Consider the sower who went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/mark/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Listen! Consider the sower who went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Hearken: Behold, the sower went forth to sow:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/mark/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Now listen! A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/mark/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Hearken: Behold, the sower went forth to sow:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/mark/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Listen! A farmer went to plant seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/mark/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Listen! Once there was a man who went out to sow grain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/mark/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Listen! A farmer went out to sow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/mark/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Listen! A sower went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Listen. Look, the sower who went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/mark/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Hearken; Behold, a sower went out to sow:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Listen: the sower goes out to sow.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Listen! Behold, the farmer went out to sow. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Listen, behold, the sower went forth to sow;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />"Listen! Behold, the <i>one</i> sowing went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Hearken, lo, the sower went forth to sow;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/mark/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Hear ye; behold, he sowing went out to sow:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Hear ye: Behold, the sower went out to sow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Hear this! A sower went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/mark/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Listen! A sower went out to sow.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/mark/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Listen; Behold, a sower went out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“Listen; behold, a sower went out to sow.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Hear; Behold, the sower went forth to sow;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Hear: Behold, a sower went out to sow:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Hear me! Behold, a sower went out to sow;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />give your attention to what I say, a sower went out to sow: as he sowed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Listen: the sower goes out to sow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>"Hearken! behold the sower went forth to sow.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>hearken, Behold a sower went out to sow:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/mark/4-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=889" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/mark/4.htm">The Parable of the Sower</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>And He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said, <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: Akouete (V-PMA-2P) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">“Listen!</a> <a href="/greek/2400.htm" title="2400: idou (V-AMA-2S) -- See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!"></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">A</a> <a href="/greek/4687.htm" title="4687: speirōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.">farmer</a> <a href="/greek/1831.htm" title="1831: exēlthen (V-AIA-3S) -- To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.">went out</a> <a href="/greek/4687.htm" title="4687: speirai (V-ANA) -- To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.">to sow his seed.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">4</span>And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-3.htm">Matthew 13:3-9</a></span><br />And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. / And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-5.htm">Luke 8:5-8</a></span><br />“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture. / Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-10.htm">Isaiah 55:10-11</a></span><br />For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/126-5.htm">Psalm 126:5-6</a></span><br />Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12</a></span><br />Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-3.htm">Jeremiah 4:3</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed ground, and do not sow among the thorns.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-24.htm">John 12:24</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">1 Corinthians 3:6-9</a></span><br />I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. / He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-21.htm">James 1:21</a></span><br />Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-9</a></span><br />Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. / Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/9-10.htm">2 Corinthians 9:10</a></span><br />Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-7.htm">Hebrews 6:7-8</a></span><br />For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. / But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-9.htm">Ezekiel 36:9</a></span><br />For behold, I am on your side; I will turn toward you, and you will be tilled and sown.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18</a></span><br />The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-23.htm">Isaiah 28:23-29</a></span><br />Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say. / Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? / When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Listen; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:</p><p class="hdg">Hearken.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/4-9.htm">Mark 4:9,23</a></b></br> And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/7-14.htm">Mark 7:14,16</a></b></br> And when he had called all the people <i>unto him</i>, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one <i>of you</i>, and understand: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1</a></b></br> Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do <i>them</i>, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.</p><p class="hdg">there.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/4-14.htm">Mark 4:14,26-29</a></b></br> The sower soweth the word… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6</a></b></br> In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both <i>shall be</i> alike good.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-23.htm">Isaiah 28:23-26</a></b></br> Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/2-10.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/matthew/13-18.htm">Farmer</a> <a href="/mark/3-14.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/mark/3-13.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-13.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/matthew/25-24.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/matthew/25-26.htm">Sow</a> <a href="/matthew/13-37.htm">Sower</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/4-5.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/mark/4-14.htm">Farmer</a> <a href="/mark/4-5.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/mark/4-27.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/mark/7-14.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/mark/4-4.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/mark/4-14.htm">Sow</a> <a href="/mark/4-14.htm">Sower</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-1.htm">The parable of the sower,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-14.htm">and the meaning thereof.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-21.htm">We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-26.htm">The parable of the seed growing secretly;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-30.htm">and of the mustard seed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-35.htm">Jesus stills the storm on the sea.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Listen!</b><br>This command to "listen" emphasizes the importance of the message that follows. In biblical times, oral communication was primary, and listeners were encouraged to pay close attention. This imperative is often used by Jesus to draw attention to a significant teaching or parable. It echoes the Shema from <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, "Hear, O Israel," underscoring the need for attentive listening to God's word.<p><b>A farmer</b><br>The farmer represents Jesus or anyone who spreads the word of God. In the agrarian society of first-century Palestine, farming was a common occupation, making this imagery relatable to Jesus' audience. The farmer's role is to plant seeds, symbolizing the dissemination of the gospel message.<p><b>went out</b><br>This phrase indicates intentionality and purpose. The act of going out suggests a mission or task, reflecting the Great Commission in <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19</a>, where Jesus instructs His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. It highlights the proactive nature of spreading the gospel.<p><b>to sow his seed.</b><br>Sowing seed is a metaphor for preaching the word of God. The seed represents the message of the kingdom of God, as explained later in the parable. In ancient agriculture, sowing was done by hand, scattering seed across the ground, which required faith in the growth process. This act of sowing reflects the spiritual truth that the word of God must be spread widely and generously, trusting in God's power to bring growth, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/55-10.htm">Isaiah 55:10-11</a>, where God's word is compared to rain and snow that accomplishes His purpose.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The speaker of the parable, teaching the crowd by the sea. He often used parables to convey spiritual truths.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_farmer.htm">The Farmer</a></b><br>Represents those who spread the Word of God. In the context of the parable, it is a metaphor for anyone who shares the Gospel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_seed.htm">The Seed</a></b><br>Symbolizes the Word of God. The seed's potential to grow depends on the condition of the soil, which represents the hearts of those who hear the Word.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>The audience listening to Jesus' teaching. They represent various types of hearers of the Word.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_field.htm">The Field</a></b><br>Implied in the parable, representing the world or the hearts of people where the seed is sown.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening.htm">The Importance of Listening</a></b><br>Jesus begins with "Listen!" emphasizing the need for attentive and receptive hearts when hearing God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_sower.htm">The Role of the Sower</a></b><br>We are called to be sowers of the Word, sharing the Gospel with others, regardless of the condition of their hearts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_the_seed.htm">The Power of the Seed</a></b><br>The Word of God is powerful and has the potential to transform lives, but it requires a receptive heart to take root and grow.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_condition_of_the_heart.htm">The Condition of the Heart</a></b><br>Reflect on the state of your own heart. Are you receptive to God's Word, or are there obstacles preventing it from taking root?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_growth.htm">Trust in God's Growth</a></b><br>While we are responsible for sowing, it is ultimately God who causes the growth. Trust in His timing and power.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible_story's_allegory.htm">What is the allegorical meaning of a Bible story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_parables_did_jesus_teach.htm">What parables did Jesus teach in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_call_mustard_seed_smallest.htm">Why does Jesus say the mustard seed is the smallest when it is not?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_aren't_sower_parable_variations_contradictory.htm">How do variations in the parable of the sower between Mark 4 and other Gospels not constitute contradictions in the Bible’s message?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">A sower.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">the</span> sower.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 3-8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Hearken</span> (<span class="greek">Ακούετε</span>). This word is introduced in St. Mark's narrative only; and it is very suitable to the warning at ver. 9, "he hath ears to hear, let him hear. <span class="cmt_word">The sower went forth to sow</span>. The scope of this beautiful parable is this: Christ teaches us that he is the Sower, that is, the great Preacher of the gospel among men. <p><span class="Text_Heading">1.</span> But not all who hear the gospel believe it and receive it; just as some of the seed sown fell by the wayside, on the hard footpath, where it could not penetrate the ground, but lay upon the surface, and so was picked up by the birds. <p><span class="Text_Heading">2.</span> Again, not all who hear and believe persevere in the faith; some fall away; like the seed sown on rocky ground, which springs up indeed, but for want of depth of soil puts forth no root, and is soon scorched by the rising sun, and, being without root, withers away. <p><span class="Text_Heading">3.</span> But further, not all who show faith bring forth the fruit of good works; like the seed sown among the thorns, which, growing up together with it, choked it (<span class="greek">συνέπνιξαν αὐτὸ</span>); such is the meaning. St. Luke has the words (<span class="greek">συμφυεῖσαι αἱ ἄκανθαι ἀπέπνιξαν</span>), "the thorns grew up with it and choked it." . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/4-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">“Listen!</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀκούετε</span> <span class="translit">(Akouete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">A</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">farmer</span><br /><span class="grk">σπείρων</span> <span class="translit">(speirōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4687.htm">Strong's 4687: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went out</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐξῆλθεν</span> <span class="translit">(exēlthen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1831.htm">Strong's 1831: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to sow his seed.</span><br /><span class="grk">σπεῖραι</span> <span class="translit">(speirai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4687.htm">Strong's 4687: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/4-3.htm">Mark 4:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/4-3.htm">Mark 4:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/4-3.htm">Mark 4:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/4-3.htm">Mark 4:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/4-3.htm">Mark 4:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/4-3.htm">Mark 4:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/4-3.htm">Mark 4:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/4-3.htm">Mark 4:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/4-3.htm">Mark 4:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/4-3.htm">Mark 4:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/4-3.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 4:3 Listen! (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/4-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 4:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 4:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/4-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 4:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 4:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>