Mark 4 · Verse 16

Mark 4:16

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mark 4:16, King James Version

Mark 4:16 in other translations

BSBSome are like the seeds sown on rocky ground. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy.
WEBThese in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy.
ASVAnd these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy;
YLT‘And these are they, in like manner, who on the rocky ground are sown: who, whenever they may hear the word, immediately with joy do receive it,
DARBYAnd these are they in like manner who are sown upon the rocky places, who when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy,
BBEAnd in the same way, these are they who are planted on the stones, who, when the word has come to their ears, straight away take it with joy;
WebsterAnd these are they likewise who are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

What does Mark 4:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground, &c.--"Immediately" the seed in such a case "springs up"--all the quicker from the shallowness of the soil--"because it has no depth of earth." But the sun, beating on it, as quickly scorches and withers it up, "because it has no root" (Mr 4:6), and "lacks moisture" (Lu 8:6). The great truth here taught is that hearts superficially impressed are apt to receive the truth with readiness, and even with joy (Lu 8:13); but the heat of tribulation or persecution because of the word, or the trials which their new profession brings upon them quickly dries up their relish for the truth, and withers all the hasty promise of fruit which they showed. Such disappointing issues of a faithful and awakening ministry--alas, how frequent are they!

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · 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 4:16 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.

καὶkaiAndG2532
οὗτοίhoutoitheseG3778
εἰσινeisinareG1510
ὁμοίωςhomoiōslikewiseG3668
οἱhoithoseG3588
ἐπὶepiuponG1909
τὰtatheG3588
πετρώδηpetrōdērocky placesG4075
σπειρόμενοι,speiromenoisown,G4687
οἳhoiwhoG3739
ὅτανhotanwhenG3752
ἀκούσωσινakousōsinthey may hearG191
τὸνtontheG3588
λόγον,logonword,G3056
εὐθὺςeuthusimmediatelyG2112
μετὰmetawithG3326
χαρᾶςcharasjoyG5479
λαμβάνουσινlambanousinreceiveG2983
αὐτὸνautonitG846

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

Cross references for Mark 4:16

  • Luke 8:13

    They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

  • Matthew 13:20-21

    But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

  • Mark 6:20

    For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

  • John 5:35

    He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

  • Ezekiel 33:31-32

    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

  • Acts 8:13

    Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

  • Matthew 8:19-20

    And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

  • Acts 24:25-26

    And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

  • Mark 10:17-22

    And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. …

  • Acts 8:18-21

    And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
which.
6:20; 10:17-22; Eze 33:31,32; Mt 8:19,20; 13:20,21; Lu 8:13
Joh 5:35; Ac 8:13,18-21; 24:25,26; 26:28

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

Context

  • 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.

  • Mark 4:16

    And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

  • Mark 4:17

    And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

Read all of Mark 4

Mark 4:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y asimismo éstos son los que son sembrados en pedregales: los que cuando han oído la palabra, luego la toman con gozo;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et pareillement, ceux qui sont semés sur les endroits rocailleux, ce sont ceux qui, quand ils ont entendu la parole, la reçoivent aussitôt avec joie;
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und diese sind es gleicherweise, die auf das Steinichte gesät werden, welche, wenn sie das Wort hören, es alsbald mit Freuden aufnehmen,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Et hi sunt similiter, qui super petrosa seminantur: qui cum audierint verbum, statim cum gaudio accipiunt illud: