Mark 4:14 Study Bible: The farmer sows the word.

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The farmer sows the word.

The farmer
In the context of Mark 4:14, "the farmer" represents anyone who spreads the message of God, most directly Jesus Himself, but also His disciples and all believers who share the Gospel. The Greek word used here is "σπείρων" (speirōn), which means "one who sows." Historically, farming was a common occupation in ancient Israel, and Jesus often used agricultural metaphors to communicate spiritual truths. This imagery would have been easily understood by His audience, who were familiar with the hard work and patience required in farming. The farmer's role is active and intentional, emphasizing the responsibility of believers to actively share the Gospel.

sows
The act of sowing, from the Greek "σπείρω" (speirō), involves scattering seeds with the hope that they will take root and grow. This action is deliberate and purposeful, symbolizing the intentional dissemination of God's Word. In the historical context, sowing was a critical step in the agricultural process, requiring faith that the seeds would eventually yield a harvest. Spiritually, this reflects the faith and hope that believers must have when sharing the Gospel, trusting that God will bring growth in His time.

the word
"The word" refers to the message of the Kingdom of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Greek term "λόγος" (logos) is used here, which can mean "word," "message," or "reason." In the scriptural context, "logos" is not just any word but the divine message of salvation and truth. John 1:1 identifies Jesus Himself as the "Logos," the living Word of God. This highlights the power and authority of the message being sown. Historically, the Word of God has been the foundation of Christian teaching and the means by which God reveals Himself to humanity. The emphasis on "the word" underscores its centrality in the life of faith and the mission of the Church.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Farmer
Represents anyone who shares the Word of God, including Jesus, His disciples, and modern-day believers.

2. The Word
Refers to the message of the Gospel, the teachings of Jesus, and the truths of Scripture.

3. The Sowing
The act of spreading the Word of God, akin to planting seeds in various types of soil, which are the hearts of people.

Teaching Points

The Role of the Sower
Every believer is called to be a sower of the Word, sharing the Gospel with others.

The effectiveness of sowing is not dependent on the sower but on the power of the Word and the condition of the heart receiving it.

The Power of the Word
The Word of God is inherently powerful and transformative, capable of changing lives when it takes root in receptive hearts.

Believers should have confidence in the Word's ability to accomplish God's purposes.

Preparation of the Heart
Just as soil must be prepared to receive seed, hearts must be open and receptive to the Word.

Believers should pray for God to prepare their hearts and the hearts of others to receive His Word.

Perseverance in Sowing
Sowing the Word requires patience and perseverance, as not all seeds will immediately bear fruit.

Trust in God's timing and continue to sow faithfully, knowing that He is responsible for the growth.

Bible Study Questions

1. How can you actively participate in sowing the Word in your daily life, and what are some practical ways to do so?

2. Reflect on a time when the Word of God took root in your heart. What factors contributed to your receptiveness?

3. In what ways can you prepare your heart to be more receptive to the Word of God?

4. How does understanding the power and effectiveness of God's Word encourage you in sharing the Gospel with others?

5. Consider the different types of soil described in the Parable of the Sower. Which type do you most identify with currently, and how can you cultivate a more fruitful response to the Word?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Matthew 13:18-23
This passage parallels Mark 4:14 and provides further explanation of the Parable of the Sower, detailing the different types of soil and their responses to the Word.

Isaiah 55:10-11
Illustrates the effectiveness of God's Word, comparing it to rain and snow that water the earth and make it fruitful.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Paul discusses the roles of those who plant and water the seeds of the Gospel, emphasizing that God gives the growth.

Hebrews 4:12
Describes the Word of God as living and active, highlighting its power to penetrate and transform hearts.

Psalm 119:105
Depicts the Word as a lamp and light, guiding believers in their walk with God.

Sermons

Parabolic Teaching	J.J. Given	Mark 4:1-20
The Process of Truth in the Soul	E. Johnson	Mark 4:1-20
The Duty of Faithfully Hearing the Word	R. Green	Mark 4:1-25
The Parable of the Sower	A.F. Muir	Mark 4:3-9, 18-23
The Parable of the Sower	A.F. Muir	Mark 4:3-9, 18-23
The Parable of the Sower	A.F. Muir	Mark 4:3-9, 18-23
The Character of Inattentive Hearers Considered	S. Stennett, D. D.	Mark 4:4-15
The Devil a Great Traveller	T. Adams.	Mark 4:4-15
The Devil is an Inveterate Enemy to the Hearing of the Word	G. Petter.	Mark 4:4-15
The Plough Needed	Dr. McLaren.	Mark 4:4-15
The Satanic Hindering of the Word of God	M. F. Sadler.	Mark 4:4-15
Wasted Seed	C. J. Vaughan, D. D.	Mark 4:4-15

People

Jesus

Places

Galilee, Sea of Galilee

Topics

Farmer, Message, Seed, Sow, Sower, Soweth, Sowing, Sows

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Mark 4:1-20

2357 Christ, parables

Mark 4:1-34

2345 Christ, kingdom of

Mark 4:3-16

4121 Satan, enemy of God

Mark 4:10-20

8319 perception, spiritual

Mark 4:13-17

4504 roots

Mark 4:13-20

2060 Christ, patience of
4540 weeds

Mark 4:14-20

     1690   word of God
     4456   grain
     4510   sowing and reaping
     5159   hearing
     5438   parables

Library

October 1 Evening
Grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.--EPH. 4:15. First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.--Till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. They measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

December 21 Evening
Master, carest thou not that we perish?--MARK 4:38. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.--While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.--God heard the voice of the lad: and the angel of …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Lamps and Bushels
'And Jesus said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?'--Mark iv. 21. The furniture of a very humble Eastern home is brought before us in this saying. In the original, each of the nouns has the definite article attached to it, and so suggests that in the house there was but one of each article; one lamp, a flat saucer with a wick swimming in oil; one measure for corn and the like; one bed, raised slightly, but sufficiently to admit …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Four Soils for one Seed
'And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable. 11. And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12. That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13. And He said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Storm Stilled
'And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. 37. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish? 39. And He arose, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Toiling Christ
'They took Him even as He was in the ship.... And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow.'--Mark iv. 36, 38. Among the many loftier characteristics belonging to Christ's life and work, there is a very homely one which is often lost sight of; and that is, the amount of hard physical exertion, prolonged even to fatigue and exhaustion, which He endured. Christ is our pattern in a great many other things more impressive and more striking; and He is our pattern in this, that 'in the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The First Great Group of Parables.
(Beside the Sea of Galilee.) Subdivision C. Parable of the Seed Growing Itself. ^B Mark IV. 26-29. ^b 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed upon the earth; 27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. [In the kingdom of grace, as well as in the kingdom of nature, we are laborers together with God. As preachers, teachers, or friends we sow the seed of the kingdom and God brings it to perfection (I. Cor. iii. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Seed Growing Secretly.
"And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come."--MARK iv. 26-29. This is the only parable that is peculiar to Mark. The subjects contained in …
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

Ancient Versions of the Old Testament.
In the present chapter only those versions of the Old Testament are noticed which were made independently of the New. Versions of the whole Bible, made in the interest of Christianity, are considered in the following part. I. THE GREEK VERSION CALLED THE SEPTUAGINT. 1. This is worthy of special notice as the oldest existing version of the holy Scriptures, or any part of them, in any language; and also as the version which exerted a very large influence on the language and style of the New Testament; …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Harvest.
Harvest. See! the corn again in ear! How the fields and valleys smile! Harvest now is drawing near To repay the farmer's toil: Gracious LORD, secure the crop, Satisfy the poor with food; In thy mercy is our hope, We have sinned but thou art good. While I view the plenteous grain As it ripens on the stalk; May I not instruction gain, Helpful, to my daily walk? All this plenty of the field Was produced from foreign seeds; For the earth itself would yield Only crops of useless weeds. Though, when …
John Newton—Olney Hymns

Of Avoiding Heresies and Superstitions, and what is the Only True Catholic Church.
But since many heresies have existed, and the people of God have been rent into divisions at the instigation of demons, the truth must be briefly marked out by us, and placed in its own peculiar dwelling-place, that if any one shall desire to draw the water of life, he may not be borne to broken cisterns [898] which hold no water, but may know the abundant fountain of God, watered by which he may enjoy perpetual light. Before all things, it is befitting that we should know both that He Himself and …
Lactantius—The divine institutes

On Earthly Things
The earth is man himself; in the gospel: another has fallen into the good earth. The same in a bad part about the sinner: you devour the earth all the days of your life. [Mark 4:18; Genesis 3:14] The dry lands are the flesh of a fruitless man; in Ecclesiastes, to work in a dry land with evil and sorrow. [Ecclesiastes 37:3] The dust is a sinner or the vanity of the flesh; in the psalm: like the dust, which the wind blows about. [Ps. 1:4 Vulgate] The mud is the gluttony of sinners; in the psalm: tear …
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

On the Animals
The birds are the saints, because they fly to the higher heart; in the gospel: and he made great branches that the birds of the air might live in their shade. [Mark 4:32] Flying is the death of the saints in God or the knowledge of the Scriptures; in the psalm: I shall fly and I shall be at rest. [Ps. 54(55):7 Vulgate] The wings are the two testaments; in Ezekiel: your body will fly with two wings of its own. [Ez. 1:23] The feathers are the Scriptures; in the psalm: the wings of the silver dove. …
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Four Miracles
"And there was a great calm." MARK 4:39 (R.V.) "Behold, him that was possessed with devils, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, even him that had the legion." v. 15 (R.V.) "Who touched Me?" v. 31 (R.V.) "Talitha cumi." v. 41 (R.V.) THERE are two ways, equally useful, of studying Scripture, as there are of regarding the other book of God, the face of Nature. We may bend over a wild flower, or gaze across a landscape; and it will happen that a naturalist, pursuing a moth, loses sight of a mountain …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

The Parables
"And again He began to teach by the sea side. And there is gathered unto Him a very great multitude, so that He entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land. And He taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in His teaching. . . . "And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parables. And He said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Chapter: 4:21-25 Lamp and Stand
"And He said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed? and not to be put on the stand? For there is nothing hid, save that it should be manifested; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light. If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear. And He said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you: and more shall be given unto you. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

The Seed Growing Secretly
"And He said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed upon the earth; and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come." MARK 4:26-29 (R.V.) ST. Mark alone records this parable of a sower who sleeps by night, and rises for other business by …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

The Sower
"Hearken: Behold the sower went forth to sow: and it came to pass, as he sowed, some seed fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured it. And other fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth; and straightway it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And other fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And others fell into the good ground, …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

The Mustard Seed
"And He said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof. And with many such parables spake He the word unto them, as they were able to hear it: and without …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

The Two Storms (Jesus Walking on the Water)
"And on that day, when even was come, He saith unto them, Let us go over unto the other side. And leaving the multitude, they take Him with them, even as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him. And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, insomuch that the boat was now filling. And He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish? And He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Sovereignty of God in Administration
"The LORD hath prepared His Throne In the heavens; and His Kingdom ruleth over all" (Psa. 103:19). First, a word concerning the need for God to govern the material world. Suppose the opposite for a moment. For the sake of argument, let us say that God created the world, designed and fixed certain laws (which men term "the laws of Nature"), and that He then withdrew, leaving the world to its fortune and the out-working of these laws. In such a case, we should have a world over which there was no intelligent, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The First Great Group of Parables.
(Beside the Sea of Galilee.) Subdivision A. Introduction. ^A Matt. XIII. 1-3; ^B Mark IV. 1, 2; ^C Luke VIII. 4. ^a 1 On that day went Jesus out of the house [It is possible that Matthew here refers to the house mentioned at Mark iii. 19. If so, the events in Sections XLVIII.-LVI. all occurred on the same day. There are several indications in the gospel narratives that this is so], and sat by the sea side. ^b 1 And again he began again to teach by the sea side. [By the Sea of Galilee.] And there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Stills the Storm.
(Sea of Galilee; Same Day as Last Section) ^A Matt. VIII. 18-27; ^B Mark IV. 35-41; ^C Luke VIII. 22-25. ^b 35 And that day, { ^c one of those days,} ^b when the even was come [about sunset], ^a when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. { ^b he saith unto them, Let us go over unto the other side.} [Wearied with a day of strenuous toil, Jesus sought rest from the multitude by passing to the thinly settled on the east side of Galilee.] ^a 19 And there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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