Mark 4:27
New International Version
Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

New Living Translation
Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.

English Standard Version
He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.

Berean Standard Bible
Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how.

Berean Literal Bible
and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow--he not knows how.

King James Bible
And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

New King James Version
and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.

New American Standard Bible
and he goes to bed at night and gets up daily, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.

NASB 1995
and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows— how, he himself does not know.

NASB 1977
and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows—how, he himself does not know.

Legacy Standard Bible
and he sleeps and rises, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.

Amplified Bible
and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know.

Christian Standard Bible
He sleeps and rises night and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
he sleeps and rises—night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—he doesn’t know how.

American Standard Version
and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how.

Contemporary English Version
The farmer sleeps at night and is up and around during the day. Yet the seeds keep sprouting and growing, and he doesn't understand how.

English Revised Version
and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He sleeps at night and is awake during the day. The seeds sprout and grow, although the man doesn't know how.

Good News Translation
He sleeps at night, is up and about during the day, and all the while the seeds are sprouting and growing. Yet he does not know how it happens.

International Standard Version
He sleeps and gets up night and day while the seeds sprout and grow, although he doesn't know how

Majority Standard Bible
Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how.

NET Bible
He goes to sleep and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

New Heart English Bible
and he sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed springs up and grows; he doesn't know how.

Webster's Bible Translation
And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

Weymouth New Testament
he spends days and nights, now awake, now asleep, while the seed sprouts and grows tall, he knows not how.

World English Bible
and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, though he doesn’t know how.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and may sleep, and may rise night and day, and the seed springs up and grows, he has not known how;

Berean Literal Bible
and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow--he not knows how.

Young's Literal Translation
and may sleep, and may rise night and day, and the seed spring up and grow, he hath not known how;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he sleep, and should rise night and day, and the seed should sprout, and be raised; how, he knows not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And should sleep, and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring, and grow up whilst he knoweth not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.

New American Bible
and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.

New Revised Standard Version
and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he sleeps and rises up night and day, and the seed springs up and grows, while he is not aware of it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And he shall sleep and arise by night and by day and the seed grows and lengthens while he is unaware.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and should sleep and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knows not how.

Godbey New Testament
and he may sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed germinates and grows, as he does not know.

Haweis New Testament
and sleep and rise, night and day, and the sown corn should sprout, and grow into length, he knoweth not how:

Mace New Testament
however he takes his repose by night, or is employ'd by day, the grain shoots up and grows without his inspection.

Weymouth New Testament
he spends days and nights, now awake, now asleep, while the seed sprouts and grows tall, he knows not how.

Worrell New Testament
and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knows not how.

Worsley New Testament
and sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up, and increase; he knows not how.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Seed Growing Secretly
26Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how. 28All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 3:6-7
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.

Ecclesiastes 11:5-6
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. / Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.

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.

Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. / But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. ...

John 12:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Genesis 8:22
As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.”

Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.

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.

Galatians 6:7-9
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. / Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Hosea 6:3
So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.

Luke 8:11-15
Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. / The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. / The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away. ...

Matthew 6:28-29
And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. / Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

Job 38:26-28
to bring rain on a barren land, on a desert where no man lives, / to satisfy the parched wasteland and make it sprout with tender grass? / Does the rain have a father? Who has begotten the drops of dew?

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.


Treasury of Scripture

And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how.

and grow.

Ecclesiastes 8:17
Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

Ecclesiastes 11:5
As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

John 3:7,8
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again…

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Asleep Awake Bed Gets Goes Grow Grows Growth Idea Night Nights Rise Seed Sleep Sleeps Spends Spring Sprouts Tall Whether
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.














Night and day
This phrase emphasizes the continuous and cyclical nature of time. In the context of ancient Jewish culture, the day began at sunset, marking a rhythm of life that was deeply connected to the natural order established by God. The use of "night and day" signifies the constancy and faithfulness of God's creation, reflecting the divine order and the reliability of God's promises. It reminds us that God's work is ongoing, even when we are unaware of it.

he sleeps and wakes
The act of sleeping and waking is a natural human cycle, highlighting human limitations and dependence on God. In the Greek, the verbs for "sleeps" (καθεύδω) and "wakes" (ἐγείρω) suggest a passive role in the growth process. This illustrates the farmer's trust in the natural processes God has set in motion. It serves as a metaphor for spiritual rest and trust in God's sovereignty, encouraging believers to rely on God's power rather than their own efforts.

and the seed sprouts and grows
The imagery of the seed is rich in biblical symbolism, often representing the Word of God or the Kingdom of God. The Greek word for "sprouts" (βλαστάνω) and "grows" (μηκύνομαι) indicate a process that is both mysterious and miraculous. This growth is independent of human intervention, symbolizing the mysterious and powerful work of God in the hearts of individuals and in the expansion of His Kingdom. It reassures believers that God's Word will accomplish its purpose (Isaiah 55:11).

though he knows not how
This phrase underscores the mystery of God's work. The farmer's ignorance of the growth process highlights the divine nature of spiritual growth and the Kingdom's expansion. The Greek word for "knows" (οἶδα) implies a lack of understanding or insight. This serves as a humbling reminder that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). It calls believers to a posture of humility and faith, trusting in God's wisdom and timing even when we do not fully comprehend His methods.

(27) And should sleep, and rise.--So it was in the world's history. Men knew not the greatness of the new force that had been brought into action. Philosophers and statesmen ignored it. Even the very preachers of the new faith, the "sowers" of the parable, were hardly conscious of the enormous revolution which they were working. So it is in the individual life. The seemingly chance word, the new truth that flashes on the soul as a revelation, the old words now for the first time apprehended in their true force, these prove to be the seeds of a new growth in the soul.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Night
νύκτα (nykta)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3571: The night, night-time. A primary word; 'night'.

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

day
ἡμέραν (hēmeran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

he sleeps
καθεύδῃ (katheudē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2518: To sleep, be sleeping. From kata and heudo; to lie down to rest, i.e. to fall asleep.

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

wakes,
ἐγείρηται (egeirētai)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1453: (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.

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

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative 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.

seed
σπόρος (sporos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4703: Seed for sowing. From speiro; a scattering, i.e. seed.

sprouts
βλαστᾷ (blasta)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 985: Intrans: I sprout; trans: I cause to sprout, make to grow up. From blastos; to germinate; by implication, to yield fruit.

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

grows,
μηκύνηται (mēkynētai)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3373: To lengthen, extend, grow. From mekos; to lengthen, i.e. to enlarge.

[though] he
αὐτός (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

knows
οἶδεν (oiden)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

how.
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.


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NT Gospels: Mark 4:27 And should sleep and rise night (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 4:26
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