📖 Mark — Chapter 4 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Mark 4:1 And Rhe began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things Rby parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Mark 4:3 RHearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
Mark 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
Mark 4:5 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 4:6 But when Rthe sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
Mark 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
Mark 4:8 And other Rfell 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 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, RUnto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mark 4:12 RThat seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Mark 4:14 The Rsower soweth the word.
Mark 4:15 And Rthese are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise Rwhich are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mark 4:17 And Rhave no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
Mark 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
Mark 4:19 And Rthe cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mark 4:20 And these are they Rwhich are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
Mark 4:21 And he said unto them, RIs a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
Mark 4:23 RIf any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark 4:24 And he said unto them, RTake heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Mark 4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
Mark 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mark 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring Rand grow up, he knoweth not how.
Mark 4:28 For Rthe earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
Mark 4:29 But when the fruit is Rbrought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Mark 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mark 4:31 It is Rlike a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Mark 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, Rand becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Mark 4:33 And Rwith many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
Mark 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and Rwhen they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Mark 4:35 And Rthe same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
Mark 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him Reven as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
Mark 4:37 And Rthere arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mark 4:38 And he was Rin the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mark 4:39 And Rhe arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, RWhy are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mark 4:41 And they Rfeared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Mark 4:1–20 — The sower explains responses to the word
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus teaches from a ship and describes seed on four kinds of ground. His explanation identifies the word and the different responses: immediate loss, shallow reception, choking cares, and fruitful hearing.
Key Truth: Receive the word with endurance and a fruitful response.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ again to teach by the sea side: and there was …” (Mark 4:1)
Find it in Mark 4:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him …” (Mark 4:9)
Find it in Mark 4:9 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear …” (Mark 4:18)
Find it in Mark 4:18 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Mark 4:21–34 — Light, measure, and growing seed deepen the teaching
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A lamp is brought to shine, and Jesus urges careful hearing. Growing seed and mustard seed picture the kingdom’s development beyond the smallness of its beginning; he explains privately to disciples.
Key Truth: Do not despise small beginnings or careless habits of hearing.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ , So is the kingdom of God, as if a …” (Mark 4:26)
Find it in Mark 4:26 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “For the ____ bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the …” (Mark 4:28)
Find it in Mark 4:28 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But without a ____ spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, …” (Mark 4:34)
Find it in Mark 4:34 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Mark 4:35–41 — The storm exposes fear before Jesus’ authority
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
As the disciples cross the sea, a storm fills the boat while Jesus sleeps. They awaken him, he stills the wind and sea, and he asks about their fear and lack of faith.
Key Truth: Bring fear to Jesus while learning confidence in his authority.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, …” (Mark 4:35)
Find it in Mark 4:35 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And he was in the ____ part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they …” (Mark 4:38)
Find it in Mark 4:38 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And they ____ exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man …” (Mark 4:41)
Find it in Mark 4:41 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 107:29 — The psalm likewise describes the Lord making a storm calm.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which response pictured by the soils best describes a challenge to your hearing?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Mark 4:1–20 (The sower explains responses to the word) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Mark 4:21–34 (Light, measure, and growing seed deepen the teaching) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Mark 4:35–41 (The storm exposes fear before Jesus’ authority) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. How do the thorns explain an unfruitful response to the word?
5. What does Jesus' question expose after the calming of the storm?
Notes
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