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Mark 4:14

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 4:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The sower soweth the word.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The sower soweth the word.
Mark 4:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11And he said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables:
12that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them.
13And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables?
14The sower soweth the word.
15And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them.
16And 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;
17and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble.
← Mark 4:13Mark 4:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The sower soweth the word.] Though our Lord thought fit to give the above gentle rebuke to his disciples for their dulness; yet he condescends to favour them with an interpretation of the above parable, which here begins: by this it appears, that the seed in the parable, before delivered, and which fell on different sorts of ground, is the word of God, which was preached to hearers of different dispositions: the word is the word of life and truth; the word of peace and reconciliation; the word of faith and righteousness; the word of salvation; the word which publishes and declares all these to be in and by Jesus Christ.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 13:18-23. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:14-20 The interpretation of the parable of the four soils is allegorical. The farmer represents a preacher of God’s word (4:14). The four types of soil that receive the seed represent different responses to the preaching of the word. The point of this parable and its interpretation is that hearers should be good soil and heed God’s word (4:9). Only those who produce fruit and endure to the end will be saved (13:13; 8:35; Rev 2:10-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sower: Mar 4:3; Isa 32:20; Mat 13:19, Mat 13:37; Luk 8:11 the word: Mar 2:2; Col 1:5, Col 1:6; Pe1 1:23-25 Mark 4:15”
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Related study paths

Read Mark 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification