Mark 4:16

Verse

Some are like the seeds sown on rocky ground. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy.

American Standard Version (1901)

And 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;

Bible in Basic English

And 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;

Free Bible Version

Likewise the seeds on the rocky ground illustrate those who hear the word, and happily accept it right away.

Geneva Bible 1599

And likewise they that receiue the seede in stony ground, are they, which whe they haue heard the word, straightwayes receiue it with gladnesse.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

These 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.

Plain English Version

In my story there was ground with too much rock in it. That is a picture of people that listen to God’s word and they are happy about it, and they start to take notice of it.

Translation for Translators

Some people are like the ground where the soil was not very deep over rock. When they hear God’s message, they immediately accept it with joy.

Unlocked Literal Bible

These are the ones that are sown on rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

These 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.

Young's Literal Translation

'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,

Context

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹⁵Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.¹⁶Some are like the seeds sown on rocky ground. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy.¹⁷But they themselves have no root, and they remain for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Summary

In this parable of the sower, Jesus explains that the seeds sown on rocky ground represent those who receive the word with joy but quickly fall away when faced with trials or persecution. This verse serves as a cautionary reminder to believers about the importance of developing deep roots in faith to withstand challenges and remain steadfast in their walk with God. It underscores the need for spiritual maturity and perseverance in the face of adversity, encouraging believers to cultivate a strong foundation in Christ to bear fruit that endures.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

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" (Mar 4:6), and "lacks moisture" (Luk 8:6). The great truth here taught is that hearts superficially impressed are apt to receive the truth with readiness, and even with joy (Luk 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!

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the cares of this world,.... The perplexing and distressing cares of it to get as much of it as they can, for themselves and families, fill their minds, and possess their souls even when and while they are hearing the word: and the deceitfulness of riches; or riches which are deceitful, especially when trusted in, and being obtained, they do not give the satisfaction they promise: and the lusts of other things entering in: carnal desires after other objects, which are pleasing to the sensual mind, entering into their hearts, and gaining, the ascendant there: choke the word, and it, becometh unfruitful; these being more attended to than the word is, that is quite lost, and becomes useless, and unprofitable. And the cares of this world,.... The perplexing and distressing cares of it to get as much of it as they can, for themselves and families, fill their minds, and possess their souls even when and while they are hearing the word: and the deceitfulness of riches; or riches which are deceitful, especially when trusted in, and being obtained, they do not give the satisfaction they promise: and the lusts of other things entering in: carnal desires after other objects, which are pleasing to the sensual mind, entering into their hearts, and gaining, the ascendant there: choke the word, and it, becometh unfruitful; these being more attended to than the word is, that is quite lost, and becomes useless, and unprofitable. Mark 4:20 mar 4:20 mar 4:20 mar 4:20And these are they which are sown on good ground,.... Such hearers who are intended by the good ground on which other seed fell, are those who are made good men by the grace of God; for there is none good naturally, nor that doeth good, no not one; these are such who hear the word, and receive it; as the word of God, in whose hearts it works effectually; who receive it not into their heads only, but into their hearts; and having received it, hold it fast, and abide by it in the worst of times: and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixty, and some an hundred; all bring forth good fruit of the same quality, though not of the same quantity: for a larger exposition of this explanation of the parable, see the notes on Mat 13:19. See Gill on Mat 13:19. See Gill on Mat 13:20. See Gill on Mat 13:21. See Gill on Mat 13:22. See Gill on Mat 13:23.

Mark 4:16

The Parable of the Sower Explained

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Some are like the seeds sown on rocky ground. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy.

American Standard Version (1901)

And 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;

Bible in Basic English

And 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;

Free Bible Version

Likewise the seeds on the rocky ground illustrate those who hear the word, and happily accept it right away.

Geneva Bible 1599

And likewise they that receiue the seede in stony ground, are they, which whe they haue heard the word, straightwayes receiue it with gladnesse.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

These 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.

Plain English Version

In my story there was ground with too much rock in it. That is a picture of people that listen to God’s word and they are happy about it, and they start to take notice of it.

Translation for Translators

Some people are like the ground where the soil was not very deep over rock. When they hear God’s message, they immediately accept it with joy.

Unlocked Literal Bible

These are the ones that are sown on rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

These 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.

Young's Literal Translation

'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,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary