Devine Scripture

Mark 4:29

What does Mark 4:29 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 4:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 4:29 means

Once the grain is ripe and ready, the farmer immediately takes up the sickle because the time for harvest has arrived. This concluding image in the parable points to a future time when the growth of the Kingdom reaches its completion, and God's final judgment and gathering will occur. It suggests a definitive culmination of the spiritual work initiated by the sown seed, signifying the end of an age.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But when the grain is ready, he quickly sends men to get it cut, because the time for cutting has come.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and whenever the fruit may yield itself, immediately he doth send forth the sickle, because the harvest hath come.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But when the fruit is produced, immediately he sends the sickle, for the harvest is come.

Context

This verse concludes the Parable of the Growing Seed by describing the final stage: the harvest. It follows the explanation of gradual growth and points toward the culmination of the Kingdom's development. This image of harvest is a common biblical metaphor for judgment and the gathering of God's people, linking this parable to broader eschatological themes and completing the narrative cycle of sowing and reaping.

v.28The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

v.29This passage

v.30And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 57:1

    The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

  • Matthew 13:40

    As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire; so shall it be in the end of the world.

  • Matthew 13:30

    Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.

  • 2 Timothy 4:7

    I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:

  • Job 5:26

    Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, Like as a shock of grain cometh in in its season.

  • Joel 3:13

    Put ye in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe: come, tread ye; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

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 4:29.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary