Mark 4 · Verse 14

Mark 4:14

The sower soweth the word.
Mark 4:14, King James Version

Mark 4:14 in other translations

BSBThe farmer sows the word.
WEBThe farmer sows the word.
ASVThe sower soweth the word.
YLTHe who is sowing doth sow the word;
DARBYThe sower sows the word:
BBEThe seed is the word.
WebsterThe sower soweth the word.

What does Mark 4:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
14. The sower soweth the word--or, as in Luke (Lu 8:11), "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." But who is "the sower?" This is not expressed here because if "the word of God" be the seed, every scatterer of that precious seed must be regarded as a sower. It is true that in the parable of the tares it is said, "He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man," as "He that soweth the tares is the devil" (Mt 13:37, 38). But these are only the great unseen parties, struggling in this world for the possession of man. Each of these has his agents among men themselves; and Christ's agents in the sowing of the good seed are the preachers of the word. Thus, as in all the cases about to be described, the sower is the same, and the seed is the same; while the result is entirely different, the whole difference must lie in the soils, which mean the different states of the human heart. And so, the great general lesson held forth in this parable of the sower is, that however faithful the preacher, and how pure soever his message, the effect of the preaching of the word depends upon the state of the hearer's heart. Now follow the cases. See on Mr 4:4.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verses 14-20. See Mt 13:18-23.

(k) "sower" Isa 32:20, 1Pet 1:25

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Mark 4:1-20

This parable contained instruction so important, that all capable of hearing were bound to attend to it. There are many things we are concerned to know; and if we understand not the plain truths of the gospel, how shall we learn those more difficult! It will help us to value the privileges we enjoy as disciples of Christ, if we seriously consider the deplorable state of all who have not such privileges. In the great…

Read the full comment on Mark 4:1-20 →

Mark 4:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὁhoThe [one]G3588
σπείρωνspeirōnsowingG4687
τὸνtontheG3588
λόγονlogonwordG3056
σπείρει.speireisows.G4687

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Mark 4:14

  • Acts 8:4

    Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

  • Matthew 13:19

    When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

  • 1 Peter 1:23-25

    Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

  • Luke 8:11

    Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

  • Matthew 13:37

    He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

  • Mark 2:2

    And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

  • Mark 4:3

    Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

  • Colossians 1:5-6

    For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

  • Isaiah 32:20

    Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.

  • Luke 1:2

    Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
sower. See on ver.
3; Isa 32:20; Mt 13:19,37; Lu 8:11
the word.
2:2; Col 1:5,6; 1Pe 1:23-25

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Mark 4:13

    And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

  • Mark 4:14

    The sower soweth the word.

  • Mark 4:15

    And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Read all of Mark 4

Mark 4:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que siembra es el que siembra la palabra.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Le semeur sème la parole.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der Sämann sät das Wort.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui seminat, verbum seminat.