Mark's Gospel: Chapter 4

Key words

• Sow: to put seeds in or on the ground so that plants will grow

Sow the seeds in pots.

• Choke: if something chokes you, you stop breathing because something is blocking your throat

She choked to death on a fish bone.

• Weeds: any wild plant that grows in a garden or field where it is not wanted

My garden is covered with weeds.

• Deceitfulness: the action of keeping the truth hidden, especially to get an advantage

The governments deceitfulness prevents them from keeping their promises.

• Lust: a very powerful feeling of wanting something

The politician has an overwhelming lust for power

Read the article to find the answers

1. Why did Jesus have to teach from a boat?
2. What chokes the word?
3. Who does the work of growing seeds?
4. What did the disciples ask each other when they were afraid?

Jesus teaches from a boat

The crowds who came to hear Jesus teach were so large that He had to get into a boat. He taught them through parables as they stood on the shore.

"Listen carefully! Imagine a farmer went out to sow seeds. As he was sowing, some of the seeds fell on the road and birds flew down and ate them. Others fell on rocky ground where there was not much soil. These seeds grew quickly, but when the sun came up they withered because they had no deep roots. Other seeds grew, but weeds choked them and prevented them from bearing fruit. And other seeds fell on good, fertile soil - they produced plenty of fruit. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Later, when they were alone, His disciples asked Him to explain the parable. He explained:

"The sower is someone who sows the word of God. Some people are like the road. As soon as they hear the word, Satan comes and immediately takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. Others are like the stony ground. They gladly receive the word, but they are immediately offended when they are persecuted because of the word. Then there are those who are like the ground filled with weeds. They hear the word, but the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things choke the word, and the word becomes unfruitful. Then, there are those who are like good soil. They hear the word, receive it, and they bear fruit."

"The Kingdom of God is like this: When a man sows seed in the ground, the seed grows even while he sleeps. He doesn't know how it grows. The earth does the work by herself, but when the seed is fully grown and bears fruit, the man immediately harvests it."

Jesus calms a storm

That evening Jesus and His disciples set sail for the other side of the sea. During the journey there was a violent storm and the waves began to crash against the boat, filling it with water. Jesus was asleep so they woke Him up and asked:

"Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea:

"Peace! Be still!"

The storm stopped, and there was a great calm. Jesus asked them:

"Why are you so afraid? Have you no faith?"

They were very afraid, and asked one another:

"Even the wind and the sea obey Him, what kind of man is this?"

Discussion questions

• Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
• Do you know the Bible passage quoted at the top of this article?
• Have you ever done any gardening or farming?
• What do you think of the parable about words being like seeds?