Devine Scripture

Mark 4:20

What does Mark 4:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 4:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 4:20 means

Finally, Jesus described those sown on the "good ground." These are individuals who not only hear the Word of God but also genuinely accept it into their hearts. Their receptive hearts allow the Word to take deep root, grow, and then produce abundant spiritual fruit, yielding thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold. This illustrates the full, flourishing potential of the Word when met with true faith and obedience.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And these are they who were planted on the good earth; such as give ear to the word, and take it into their hearts, and give fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundred times as much.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And these are they who on the good ground have been sown: who do hear the word, and receive, and do bear fruit, one thirty-fold, and one sixty, and one an hundred.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And these are they who are sown upon the good ground, who hear the word, and receive it, and yield fruit, the one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And these are they who have been sown on the good ground, such as hear the word and receive it, and bear fruit; one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred [fold].

Context

This verse concludes Jesus' interpretation of the Parable of the Sower by explaining the fourth and most positive outcome. It directly follows the explanations of the various unfruitful grounds, offering a clear contrast and showcasing the desired result of hearing and receiving the Word. This final category reveals the purpose of sowing: to produce lasting and abundant fruit for the Kingdom of God.

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

v.20This passage

v.21And he said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, and not to be put on the stand?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 8:15

    And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.

  • John 15:4

    Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.

  • John 15:16

    Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

  • Colossians 1:10

    to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1

    Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,—that ye abound more and more.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Mark 4

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Mark 4.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Mark 4:20.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary