Scripture: “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.” Mark 4:20, KJV
Observation: Mark’s gospel gives us some great details– how Jesus used the sea (on calm days) for natural amplification (and probably crowd control) in verse 1. Then he teaches of a “crazy” sower– just throwing seed like a crazy man (I’m picturing Kramer from Seinfeld). Anyway– most in the crowd would see the absurdity of the parable (Jesus probably used this “disconnect” to drive his point home– even if (as it turns out) nobody got the point (see verse 12). Jesus leaves the crowd without explaining the “joke” — later his disciples ask about it. Jesus explains in detail what each of the 4 soils means. Verses 11-12 are “troubling” but I’m not going to try to address that here (perhaps some other time).
In verse 13, Jesus says to his disciples, “Do you not understand (ειδω) this parable? How then will you understand (γινωκω) all the parables?” Jesus uses a different word for “to know”–ειδω is to know with the mind (often translated “to see”), while γινωκω is deep, intimate knowledge (and a euphemism for sexual union that produces offspring).
“The sower sows the word (Lóγoς)” verse 14. “Lóγoς” is translated “the word” but carries a much deeper meaning– for the greeks, it was the personification of truth, beauty, reason, wisdom. Jesus is called “The Word” in the preamble to the gospel of John (John 1:1-13). “In the beginning was the “logos”…
The Physical / spiritual union of God and man manifesting wisdom, truth, justice, power, ethics, Etc. God, in the beginning, speaks the word and creates the universe ex nihilo. God fashions man out of dust and breathes life into him – Jesus breathed on his disciples to give them the Holy Spirit…
Only the Good soil (literally: Good Earth) produces fruit. A farmer would only scatter seed on prepared soil – Jesus, I think, is telling us not to be soil inspectors – we can’t know what type of soil – only the word knows…
This is getting into the weeds but check this out-
| Soil | Verses | What Happens? | Results | “Sown” (σπειρω) Verbal Forms* |
| 1. Road-y | 4/15 | Birds/Satan Devour | No Fruit | Present/Passive/Indicative |
| 2. Stone-y | 5-6/16-17 | Receive with gladness- no root- do not endure | No Fruit | Present/Passive/Indicative |
| 3. Thorn-y | 7/18-19 | Grows up- choked by cares, riches, desires | No Fruit | Present/Passive/Indicative |
| 4. Good | 8-9/20 | Hear the word, accept it | Bear fruit (30x 60x 100x) | 2nd Aorist/Passive/Participle |
*present: “now”; passive: receives the action; Indicative: statement of fact; 2nd Aorist (linguistically same as Aorist): forever true (past, present, future); Participle: verbal noun, “-ing” or “-ed” ending)
Only one soil bears fruit
What is fruit? It is a result of abiding (John 15) that produces life twice – something that feeds others, and produces more life (seed). Are ‘road-y’ or ‘stoney’ or ‘thorny’ saved? According to Jesus – no. John 15:2 says, “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he (God, the vinedresser) takes away (αíρω); and every branch that bears fruit he prunes (literally means “cleanses” – same root word αíρω) that it may bring forth more fruit (30X 60X 100X). 15:6 further says, “if anyone does not abide in me (abiding is the prerequisite for producing fruit), he is cast out… And thrown into the fire and they are burned.” Jesus states in verse 8, “by this (abiding/bearing fruit) my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit (30X 60X 100X); so you will be my disciples.” The means of abiding is keeping (obeying/doing) the commands of Jesus (John 15:10).
Application: Don’t be a soil inspector… Just scatter the word (Jesus / the gospel) as you go (Matthew 28:19 – 20). The word is the power of God to change hearts and save some (Romans 1:16). Don’t be too quick to declare someone saved – but disciple them (Matthew 28) to test themselves (2nd Corinthians 13:5; 1st John- the entire book); look for fruit that glorifies God.
Prayer: Father, I was dead like a seed alone and you filled me with life. I take no credit for what you and the word alone in my dead, Stony heart. Cause me to be that crazy so are just casting off truth willy-nilly into this world – forgive me when I shrank back or am lazy. Cause me to abide – to bring forth fruit in keeping with righteousness – may your word go forth and accomplish what you have ordained from the foundations of the world. Amen.
For in-depth bible study tools, check out Online Bible— a free resource. It’s primarily what I use to get my geek on with the Greek…