Mark 4:20
New International Version
Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

New Living Translation
And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

English Standard Version
But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

Berean Standard Bible
Still others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, receive it, and produce a crop—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold.”

Berean Literal Bible
And these are those having been sown upon the good soil, such as hear the word and receive it, and bring forth fruit: one thirtyfold, and one sixty, and one a hundred."

King James Bible
And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

New King James Version
But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

New American Standard Bible
And those are the ones sown with seed on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.

NASB 1995
“And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

NASB 1977
“And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it, and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And those are the ones which were sown on the good soil: they who hear the word and accept it and are bearing fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

Amplified Bible
And those [in the last group] are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word [of God, the good news regarding the way of salvation] and accept it and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much [as was sown].”

Christian Standard Bible
And those like seed sown on good ground hear the word, welcome it, and produce fruit thirty, sixty, and a hundred times what was sown.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word, welcome it, and produce a crop: 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.”

American Standard Version
And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.

Contemporary English Version
The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and welcome the message. They produce 30 or 60 or even 100 times as much as was planted.

English Revised Version
And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Others are like seeds planted on good ground. They hear the word, accept it, and produce crops-thirty, sixty, or one hundred times as much as was planted."

Good News Translation
But other people are like seeds sown in good soil. They hear the message, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred."

International Standard Version
Others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, accept it, and produce crops—30, 60, or 100 times what was sown."

Majority Standard Bible
Still others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, receive it, and produce a crop?thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold.?

NET Bible
But these are the ones sown on good soil: They hear the word and receive it and bear fruit, one thirty times as much, one sixty, and one a hundred."

New Heart English Bible
And those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times."

Webster's Bible Translation
And these are they who are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

Weymouth New Testament
Those, on the other hand, who have received the seed on the good ground, are all who hear the Message and welcome it, and yield a return of thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold."

World English Bible
Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And these are they who on the good ground have been sown: who hear the word, and receive, and bear fruit, one thirty-fold, and one sixty, and one a hundred.”

Berean Literal Bible
And these are those having been sown upon the good soil, such as hear the word and receive it, and bring forth fruit: one thirtyfold, and one sixty, and one a hundred."

Young's Literal Translation
'And these are they who on the good ground have been sown: who do hear the word, and receive, and do bear fruit, one thirty-fold, and one sixty, and one an hundred.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And these are they sown on good earth; who hear the word, and receive, and bear fruit, one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And these are they who are sown upon the good ground, who hear the word, and receive it, and yield fruit, the one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

New American Bible
But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

New Revised Standard Version
And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And those which were sown in good soil, are those who hear the word, and receive it and bear fruit, one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And they that were sown in the good ground are those who hear the word and receive and yield fruit, thirtyfold, sixtyfold and an hundred fold.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And these are they that received seed on the good ground; who hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred.

Godbey New Testament
And these are they who are sown on good ground; whosoever hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred.

Haweis New Testament
And these are they who are sown on the good ground, such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

Mace New Testament
they who receive seed as on good ground, are such as hear the word and entertain it, and bring forth fruit, some in one degree, and some in another.

Weymouth New Testament
Those, on the other hand, who have received the seed on the good ground, are all who hear the Message and welcome it, and yield a return of thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold."

Worrell New Testament
And these are the ones sown on the good ground: such as hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold."

Worsley New Testament
And these are they who are like seed sown on good ground: such as hear the word, and receive it; and bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Sower Explained
19but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20Still others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, receive it, and produce a crop— thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold.” 21Jesus also said to them, “Does anyone bring in a lamp to put it under a basket or under a bed? Doesn’t he set it on a stand?…

Cross References
Matthew 13:23
But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”

Luke 8:15
But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.

John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:8
This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.

Colossians 1:6
that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.

James 1:21-25
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls. / Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, ...

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Philippians 1:11
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

Romans 7:4
Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Isaiah 55:10-11
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. / He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Jeremiah 17:7-8
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. / He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.


Treasury of Scripture

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty times, some sixty, and some an hundred.

which.

Mark 4:8
And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

Matthew 13:23
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

an hundred.

Genesis 26:12
Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

Jump to Previous
Accept Bear Ear Earth Fold Forth Fruit Good Ground Hand Hear Hearts Hundred Hundredfold Message Ones Others Planted Receive Received Seed Sixty Sixtyfold Sown Thirty Thirtyfold Thirty-Fold Times Welcome Word Yield
Jump to Next
Accept Bear Ear Earth Fold Forth Fruit Good Ground Hand Hear Hearts Hundred Hundredfold Message Ones Others Planted Receive Received Seed Sixty Sixtyfold Sown Thirty Thirtyfold Thirty-Fold Times Welcome Word Yield
Mark 4
1. The parable of the sower,
14. and the meaning thereof.
21. We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others.
26. The parable of the seed growing secretly;
30. and of the mustard seed.
35. Jesus stills the storm on the sea.














Still others
This phrase introduces a contrast to the previous types of soil mentioned in the parable. It signifies a different group of people who respond to the Gospel message. In the context of the parable, it highlights the diversity of human responses to God's word. The Greek word for "others" (ἄλλοι, alloi) suggests a distinct category, emphasizing that not all hearts are hardened or distracted.

are like the seed
The metaphor of the seed is central to Jesus' teaching in this parable. In the Greek, the word for seed is "σπέρμα" (sperma), which is the root for our English word "sperm," indicating potential for life and growth. This seed represents the word of God, which has the inherent power to bring forth spiritual life and transformation when it finds receptive ground.

sown on good soil
The "good soil" symbolizes a heart that is open, receptive, and prepared to receive God's word. In the Greek, "good" is "καλός" (kalos), meaning beautiful, noble, or virtuous. This soil is contrasted with the hard, rocky, and thorny soils mentioned earlier, representing a heart that is cultivated and ready for spiritual growth. Historically, good soil was a precious commodity in agrarian societies, emphasizing the value of a heart ready to receive divine truth.

They hear the word
Hearing in this context goes beyond mere auditory reception. The Greek word "ἀκούω" (akouo) implies understanding and comprehension. It suggests an active engagement with the message, where the listener is attentive and discerning. Scripturally, hearing is often linked with obedience, as seen in James 1:22, which calls believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers.

receive it
To receive the word means to accept it with faith and readiness to act upon it. The Greek word "παραδέχομαι" (paradechomai) conveys a sense of welcoming or embracing. This reception is not passive but involves a commitment to allow the word to take root and influence one's life. It reflects a heart posture that is open to transformation and growth.

and produce a crop
The result of hearing and receiving the word is fruitfulness. The Greek term "καρποφορέω" (karpophoreo) means to bear fruit, indicating a visible and tangible outcome of spiritual growth. This fruitfulness is a hallmark of true discipleship, as seen in John 15:8, where Jesus says, "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples."

thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold
These numbers illustrate the abundant and varying degrees of fruitfulness that can result from a receptive heart. In the historical context of first-century agriculture, such yields would be considered extraordinarily bountiful, underscoring the miraculous potential of God's word when it is embraced. The varying degrees of fruitfulness also acknowledge that while all believers are called to bear fruit, the extent of their impact may differ according to God's sovereign plan and individual circumstances.

Verse 20. - Those are they that were sown upon the good ground. The good ground represents the heart which receives the Word of God with joy and desire, and true devotion of spirit, and which steadfastly retains it, whether in prosperity or in adversity; and so yields fruit, "sows thirty, some sixty, and some a hundredfold." St. Jerome remarks that, as of the bad ground there were three different kinds - the way, side, the rocky, and the thorny ground; so of the good ground there is a threefold gradation indicated in the amount of its productiveness. There are differences of conditions in the hearts both of those who believe and of these who do not believe.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Yet
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[others]
ἐκεῖνοί (ekeinoi)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

are like
εἰσιν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the [seeds]
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sown
σπαρέντες (sparentes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4687: To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

good
καλὴν (kalēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2570: Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.

soil.
γῆν (gēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

[They]
οἵτινες (hoitines)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

hear
ἀκούουσιν (akouousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word,
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

receive [it],
παραδέχονται (paradechontai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3858: To receive, accept, acknowledge. From para and dechomai; to accept near, i.e. Admit or delight in.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

produce a crop—
καρποφοροῦσιν (karpophorousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2592: To bear fruit. From karpophoros; to be fertile.

thirtyfold,
τριάκοντα (triakonta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5144: Thirty. The decade of treis; thirty.

sixtyfold,
ἑξήκοντα (hexēkonta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1835: Sixty. The tenth multiple of hex; sixty.

[or]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a
ἓν (hen)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

hundredfold.”
ἑκατόν (hekaton)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1540: One hundred. Of uncertain affinity; a hundred.


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NT Gospels: Mark 4:20 Those which were sown on the good (Mar Mk Mr)
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