1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake, but such a large crowd gathered about him that he got into a boat and sat in it on the lake while the crowd stood on the shore.
2 He taught them many things through stories or parables. In his teaching he said,
3 "Listen! The sower went out to sow.
4 As he sowed, some of the seed fell along a path and the birds came and ate it up.
5 Some of the seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil; it sprang up immediately because it had no depth;
6 but when the sun rose and burned it, it withered because it had no roots.
7 Other seed fell among thornbushes and the thorns grew and choked it, so it didn't produce any grain.
8 But some seed fell on good soil, grew and increased and yielded grain; some produced thirty times as much, others sixty and others one hundred times as much."
9 And Jesus added, "Listen then, if you have ears."
10 When the crowd went away, some who were around him with the Twelve asked about the parables.
11 He answered them, "The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But for those outside, everything comes in parables,
12 so that the more they see, they don't perceive; the more they hear, they don't understand; otherwise they would be converted and pardoned."
13 Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables?
14 What the sower is sowing is the word.
15 Those along the path where the seed fell are people who hear the word, but as soon as they do, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
16 Other people receive the word like rocky ground. As soon as they hear the word, they accept it with joy,
17 but they have no roots so it lasts only a little while. No sooner does trouble or persecution come because of the word, than they fall.
18 Others receive the seed as among thorns. After they hear the word,
19 they are caught up in the worries of this life, false hopes of riches and other desires. All these come in and choke the word so that finally it produces nothing.
20 And there are others who receive the word as good soil. They hear the word, take it to heart and produce: some thirty, some sixty and some one hundred times as much."
21 Jesus also said to them, "When the light comes, is it to be put under a tub or a bed? Surely it is put on a lampstand.
22 Whatever is hidden will be disclosed, and whatever is kept secret will be brought to light.
23 Listen then, if you have ears!"
24 And he also said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear. In the measure you give, so shall you receive and still more will be given to you.
25 For the one who produces something, more will be given, and from him who does not produce anything, even what he has will be taken away from him."
26 Jesus also said, "In the kingdom of God it is like this. A man scatters seed upon the soil.
27 Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night, the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how.
28 The soil produces of itself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
29 And when it is ripe for harvesting he takes the sickle for the cutting: the time for harvest has come."
30 Jesus also said, "What is the kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it?
31 It is like a mustard seed which, when sown, is the smallest of all the seeds scattered upon the soil.
32 But once sown, it grows up and becomes the largest of the plants in the garden and even grows branches so big that the birds of the air can take shelter in its shade."
33 Jesus used many such stories or parables, to proclaim the word to them in a way they would be able to understand.
34 He would not teach them without parables; but privately to his disciples he explained everything.
35 On that same day when evening had come, Jesus said to them, "Let's go across to the other side."
36 So they left the crowd and took him away in the boat he had been sitting in, and other boats set out with him.
37 Then a storm gathered and it began to blow a gale. The waves spilled over into the boat so that it was soon filled with water.
38 And Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. They woke him up and said, "Master, don't you care if we sink?"
39 As Jesus awoke, he rebuked the wind and ordered the sea, "Quiet now! Be still!" The wind dropped and there was a great calm.
40 Then Jesus said to them, "Why are you so frightened? Do you still have no faith?"
41 But they were terrified and they said to one another, "Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him!"
Versículos relacionados com Mark, 4:
St. Mark 4 presents several parables of Jesus about the Kingdom of God and His message. The first parable is about the sower that spreads the seed in different soil types. The second parable is about the seed that grows on its own. The third parable is on the mustard grain that becomes a large tree. Jesus also calms the storm at sea and heals the demonic gerasene.
Luke 8:15: "But the one who has fallen into good earth are those who, with good and perfect heart, hear the word, retain it and bear fruit with perseverance." This verse relates directly to Jesus' first parable over the sower. He emphasizes the importance of listening to God's Word and having an open and receptive heart for the message to bear fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7: "I planted, Apollo watered; but God has gone growth. So, neither what plants is something, nor what to irrigate, but God, who gives growth." These verses relate to Jesus' second parable over the seed that grows for itself. They remember that God is the one who gives growth and life, regardless of human labor.
Ezekiel 17:22-24: "Thus saith the Lord God: I will also take from the top of the high cedar cup, and put him; of the main of his renews I will cut a branch, and plant him over a tall and sublime. From Israel I will plant him, and he will give branches, and produce fruit, and shall be a superb cedar; and under him shall dwell birds of all sorts; in the shadow of their branches they will dwell all birds of heaven. " These verses relate to Jesus' third parable over the mustard grain that becomes a large tree. They remember that God can use small things to do great works and that His work is fruitful and welcoming.
Psalm 107:29: "The storm has ceased, and their waves are soothed." This verse relates to the episode in which Jesus calms the storm in the sea. He shows Jesus' power over the forces of nature and the confidence we can have in him, even in times of fear and danger.
Acts 16:18: "And this she did for many days. But Paul, disturbed, turned and said to the Spirit, In the name of Jesus Christ, I send you out of her. And at the same time came out." This verse relates to the cure of the demonic gerasene. He highlights Jesus 'authority over evil spirits and Jesus' ability to bring healing and liberation to people in need.
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