Mark 4:1 - Then he began to teach again by the seashore; and since such a large crowd gathered around him, he went aboard a ship and sat there on the sea; and the crowd waited on land on the seashore.
Mark 4:2 - And he taught them many things using stories with morals, and told them of his beliefs.
Mark 4:3 - Listen! For a gardener set out to sow a seed:
Mark 4:4 - And as he worked, some of the seeds fell on the ground and the birds swooped down and ate them.
Mark 4:5 - Some seeds fell onto the concrete and immediately sprouted but it died because there was no dirt.
Mark 4:6 - The sun was scorching hot, and it withered away because it didn’t have a root.
Mark 4:7 - But these are the ones likened to seed that fell among the thorns, and there the thorns took hold and choked out the seed so that it bore no fruit.
Mark 4:8 - Different ones fell on fertile soil and from that bloomed a flourishing plant that provided a great harvest.
Mark 4:9 - And he told them, those with ears should use them and listen.
Mark 4:10 - And when he was alone, those who were with him and the twelve asked him to tell them about the parable.
Mark 4:11 - Also he declared to the people, You all have the privilege of knowing the secrets about God’s kingdom, but as far as the other people who don’t have an understanding, this information is considered as fables.
Mark 4:12 - They may not understand what they are seeing or what they are hearing, yet they still may be converted and if so, their sins will be forgiven.
Mark 4:13 - He asked them Do you know this is a story? How will you ever know that it is a story?
Mark 4:14 - One who scatters meaning around, creates shared reality.
Mark 4:15 - And these are people who have an opportunity to listen to the gospel; but after they finished listening to the sermon, the Devil appears quickly, and steals the message that was implanted in their spirit.
Mark 4:16 - These are the ones who are likened to seed which is sewn on rocky soil, so that when they have heard the message, they are welcome it with gladness.
Mark 4:17 - They have no substance of their own, so they don’t last long: later on, when problems arise, they are easily upset.
Mark 4:18 - These are the people who are like the seeds that were sown in the briars–they hear God’s word,
Mark 4:19 - All the materialistic cares of the world soils the word.
Mark 4:20 - These are the ones likened to seed that is sown on fine soil because they hear the message and multiply it, some by thirty times, some by sixty times and some a hundred times over.
Mark 4:21 - And he said to them, Does anybody light a candle to put it under a basket, or under their bed? Is it not to be put on a candlestick?
Mark 4:22 - There is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed nor any secret that shall not be uncovered.
Mark 4:23 - If a man is capable of listening, let him listen.
Mark 4:24 - He said to them, Listen to what I have to say: with what is measured, will be measured for you. From those who listen will receive more.
Mark 4:25 - Even as those who have much shall be given more, those that have little shall have even more taken from them.
Mark 4:26 - He said, This is the Kingdom of God; it is fertile enough to grow plants.
Mark 4:27 - While sleeping, both day and night will rise, which will cause the seed to open and mature, even though no one knows how.
Mark 4:28 - Fruit grows in the ground; the leaves come out first, followed by the seed bearing part of the plant and finally the whole corncob.
Mark 4:29 - He worked hard with the sickle,because the harvest of fruit has come.
Mark 4:30 - And he said, Now what shall we liken the kingdom of God to, or what can we compare it to.
Mark 4:31 - A single grain may seem enormous until it is tossed into the boiling pot where the oatmeal is brewing.
Mark 4:32 - After it is planted it grows larger than all the other herbs, and the branches grow so big that birds can find shade beneath them.
Mark 4:33 - And he told them short stories with morals in them, and they listened.
Mark 4:34 - He always spoke to them in parables or metaphors and then explained what he meant by the parable to his disciples when they were alone.
Mark 4:35 - And that evening he said, Let’s cross.
Mark 4:36 - After they cast the group away, they got him aboard the ship. There were more small sailing crafts as well.
Mark 4:37 - A great storm of wind arose from the sea and great waves beat unto the ship, filling it with water.
Mark 4:38 - And he was in the back part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awakened him and said to him: Master, don’t you care that we are about to die?
Mark 4:39 - He arose and told the wind to calm and the sea to be still. This caused the wind to stop, and a calm to settle on the land.
Mark 4:40 - He asked them, Why are you so scared? Why can’t you believe me?
Mark 4:41 - And they were very much afraid; and they said to each other: What kind of man is this whom even the wind and the sea obey?