Devine Scripture

Mark 4:7

What does Mark 4:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 4:7 means

A third portion of the scattered seed landed among thorns already present in the field. As the new plants began to grow, the thorns also grew, eventually overpowering and choking out the developing crop. The thorns thus prevented the seed from maturing and producing any fruit. This depicts another way in which potential spiritual growth can be stifled and made barren by competing influences.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And some went among the thorns, and the thorns came up, and it had no room for growth and gave no fruit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and other fell toward the thorns, and the thorns did come up, and choke it, and fruit it gave not;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse presents the third type of ground in the Parable of the Sower, following the descriptions of seed on the wayside and rocky ground. It sets up the subsequent explanation of how worldly concerns can hinder the effectiveness of God's Word. This scenario contributes to the overall picture of varied responses to the sown Word, demonstrating yet another pathway to unfruitfulness.

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

v.7This passage

v.8And others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 4:3

    For thus saith Jehovah to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

  • 1 Timothy 6:9

    But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • 1 John 2:15

    Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

  • Luke 8:14

    And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

  • Luke 12:15

    And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

  • Genesis 3:17

    And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in toil shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

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