Devine Scripture

Mark 4:5

What does Mark 4:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 4:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 4:5 means

Another portion of the seed fell on shallow ground, where bedrock or a layer of rock lay just beneath a thin covering of soil. Because there was little earth for the roots to penetrate, the seed germinated quickly and sprouted rapidly. The apparent swift growth here is deceptive, hinting at a superficiality that cannot withstand challenges. It points to a superficial responsiveness that lacks genuine depth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And other fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth; and straightway it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And other fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth; and straightway it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And some went on the stones, where it had not much earth; and it came up straight away, because the earth was not deep:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and other fell upon the rocky ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately it sprang forth, because of not having depth of earth,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And other some fell upon stony ground, where it had not much earth; and it shot up immediately, because it had no depth of earth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And another fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately it sprung up out [of the ground] because it had no depth of earth;

Context

This verse presents the second type of ground in the Parable of the Sower, following the seed-by-the-wayside scenario. It sets up the condition for the next verse, where the sun's heat will expose the inadequacy of the shallow soil. This progression builds the narrative of different spiritual responses to the Word, moving from complete rejection to a more superficial, yet ultimately unsustainable, acceptance.

v.4and it came to pass, as he sowed, some seed fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured it.

v.5This passage

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

Cross references

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

  • Ezekiel 36:26

    A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

  • Luke 8:6

    And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

  • Matthew 13:5

    and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth:

  • Hosea 10:12

    Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek Jehovah, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

  • Mark 4:16

    And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy;

  • Amos 6:12

    Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plowtherewith oxen? that ye have turned justice into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood;

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