Devine Scripture

Mark 4:6

What does Mark 4:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 4:6 means

When the sun rose and intensified its heat, the young plants that had sprouted quickly on the rocky ground were scorched. Lacking deep roots to draw moisture and nutrients from the soil, they withered and died. This illustrates that initial enthusiasm, unsupported by deep spiritual grounding, cannot sustain itself through trials. True spiritual life requires more than just rapid, surface-level growth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the sun was high, it was burned; and because it had no root, it became dry and dead.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the sun having risen, it was scorched, and because of not having root it did wither;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and when the sun arose it was burnt up, and because of its not having any root, it withered.

Context

This verse explains the fate of the seed that fell on rocky ground, directly following its initial rapid sprouting. It prepares the reader for Jesus' later interpretation by demonstrating *why* this type of ground is unfruitful. This scenario contrasts sharply with the potential of deeply rooted plants, reinforcing the necessity of spiritual depth when engaging with the Word of God.

v.5And other fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth; and straightway it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth:

v.6This passage

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

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 25:4

    For thou hast been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

  • Jonah 4:8

    And it came to pass, when the sun arose, that God prepared a sultry east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

  • Revelation 7:16

    They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:

  • Jeremiah 17:5

    Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah.

  • Psalms 92:13

    They are planted in the house of Jehovah; They shall flourish in the courts of our God.

  • Psalms 1:3

    And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

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