Mark 4

1  And I began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto me a great multitude, so that I entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

2  And I taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in my doctrine,

3  Hearken; Behold, I went out to sow:

4  And it came to pass, as I sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

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:

6  But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

7  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

8  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.

9  And I said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

10  And when I was alone, they that were about me with the twelve asked of me the parable.

11  And I said unto them, Unto me 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:

12  That 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.

13  And I said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

14  The sower soweth the word.

15  And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, when they understand it not, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16  And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17  And have 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.

18  And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19  And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

20  And these are they which 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.

21  And I said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? Even ye are the light of the world, so go and sow the word in my stead.

22  For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. Do my word that I may be glorified abroad.

23  If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

24  And I said unto them, I take heed what I hear: with what measure I mete, it shall be measured to me: and since I do hear, shall more be given.

25  For if I hath heard, to me more of the word shall be given: and he that hath not heard, from him shall be taken even that which he hath heard.

26  And I said, So is the kingdom of God, as if I should cast seed into the ground;

27  And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, I knoweth not how.

28  For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

29  But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately I putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. For what I say shall come to pass and it produces the fruit I intended , even as the fruit of the gound does.

30  And I said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall I compare it?

31  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

32  But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. My words needs to be preached, and when it does, all nations shall dwell in the fruits of it.

33  And with many such parables I spake the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

34  But without a parable I spake not unto them: and when we were alone, I expounded all things to my disciples.

35  And the same day, when the even was come, I saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36  And when we had sent away the multitude, they took me even as I was in the ship. And there were also with me other little ships.

37  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38  And I was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awoke me, and say unto me, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39  And I arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40  And I said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Did I not say, lets pass over unto the other side? Why do you not trust God that he would bring us safely there?

41  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?