Mark chapter four begins with Jesus addressing a “great multitude” of people. One of the lessons he taught them was the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:2-9). In the parable, a sower (farmer) sows a parcel of seeds. Different things happen to the seeds. Some are eaten by birds (Mark 4:4). Some land on stony ground where, although they sprout, they don’t have enough earth to take root and are burned away by the sun (Mark 4:5-6). Others fall into ground where thorns grow, and the thorns choke them and prevent them from growing (Mark 4:7). Some, though, fall on good ground and produce fruit. The amount of fruit is described as different from plant to plant, but all the plants growing from the good ground are considered to have delivered “an increase” (Mark 4:8).

After the crowds left, the apostles asked Jesus to explain the parable to them (Mark 4:10). Jesus explained that the seeds represented the word of God (Mark 4:14). The parable teaches that different people have different reactions to God’s word. Some hear God’s word and immediately respond positively to it; however, they take no further action to develop their understanding of it or allow it to change their minds and hearts into something more pleasing to God. In the parable, these are the “seeds” that fell on the stony ground, and without being able to take root were soon “burned away” (Mark 4:16-17). Others hear God’s word but allow worldly pursuits and priorities to dominate their time, and eventually their hearts. These are like the plants that tried to grow among the thorns. Worldly pursuits often take a great deal of one’s time and energy, leaving a smaller amount of time and energy to pursuing God’s word. Christian growth is often stifled and choked under these conditions, just like the thorns stifled and choked the growing plants (Mark 4:18-19). There are other people, however, who not only hear God’s word, but “receive it” (Mark 4:20). These are “the seeds sown on good ground,” who devote their time and energy to God, and in so doing, grow into something pleasing to him; each according to their own individual ability (“some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred” – Mark 4:20).

Jesus continues to emphasize this expectation that receipt of God’s word is expected to cause one to work toward growing closer to God by pointing out that a candle, once lit, is expected to be placed in a place of prominence, where it can give light, not hidden away under a bushel or under a bed (Mark 4:21). God’s word, like the light of the candle or the seeds sown on the ground, is expected to take a place of prominence in one’s mind and heart and not be buried under the priorities of the world, causing spiritual growth to be choked out like so many seedlings among a patch of thorns. 

To highlight the importance of this lesson, Jesus warns that a lack of appreciation for God’s word will not be something that one can hide from God (Mark 4:22). God has a work that needs appreciative and diligent workers to complete. One’s spiritual progression can only be accomplished through focus, sincerity, priority and love. Those who hear God’s word but do not allow “the seed” to “take root,” or who allow it to whither or be overtaken may expect that sooner than later, the opportunity to serve Him will be taken from the unappreciative heart (“take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete” – in other words, take care to respond with an appreciative heart and a mind and will that devotes time and energy to serve God – Mark 4:24). The opportunities to work and grow in God’s service will be taken from those who do not respond to God appropriately and given to those who joyfully do so (“unto you that hear shall more be given”).

Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1364: “Is the Gospel a Success or a Failure?”
Learning how and when the gospel touches disciples and unbelievers
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

For children, parents and Bible class teachers:
Animated video: How can we let our light shine?