The explanation of the parable of the sower,
Mark 4:20 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.
Mark 4:20 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.”
And these are the ones on the earth, that good one, being seeded. Those who hear the message and accept [it] as correct and they bear fruit, one thirty and one sixty and one a hundred.
The verb translated as "receive/accept" is only used by Jesus here and it has the sense of "accept it as correct." And Jesus uses another Greek word meaning received frequently.
The word translated as "such as" in the KJV and left out of the NIV means "these here" or "those there." Jesus uses it to refer to those with him as the ones who accept his message.
However, the humor is at the end of the verse. The word translated as "some" means "one" and the form is a neuter singular subject. The neuter form is from the word for seed, which is the reference. The point of the verse is that one becomes 30, 60, and 100. This point is lost by translating the word as "some."
Any idea can multiply itself.
καὶ ἐκεῖνοί εἰσιν οἱ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν τὴν καλὴν σπαρέντες,
And these are the ones on the earth , the good one, being seeded.
οἵτινες ἀκούουσιν τὸν λόγον καὶ παραδέχονται καὶ καρποφοροῦσιν
Those who hear the message and accept [it] as correct and they bear fruit,
ἐν τριάκοντα καὶ [ἐν] ἑξήκοντα καὶ [ἐν] ἑκατόν.
in thirty and in sixty and in a hundred.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "which" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "are" is not an active verb but a participle, "being."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "good" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "ground" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "such as" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "word" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "receive" is not the common word usually translated as "receive."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "others" should be something more like "these here."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "like" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "seed" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "sown" is not an active verb but a passive participle, "being sown."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "good" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "ground" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "whoever" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "word" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "what was sown" doesn't exist in the source.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
these - The word translated as "these" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." Jesus often uses it as a term of honor to refer to his father, the Spirit, prophets, and so on. Used in the form of an adverb, it means "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."
are -- The verb "are" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." With an indirect object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed.
they -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
which -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "which" in the Greek source.
are -- (WF) This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This is not an active verb but a participle, "being sown."
sown -- The Greek word translated as "sown" means specifically to "sow seeds" and "to scatter" as in sowing seeds. It is, however, from the same root word as the Greek word for "seeds" so "seeding" is closer to its meaning. Seeds" are Jesus's symbol of knowledge or the beginning of knowledge.
on -- The word translated as "on" means "on," "over," "upon," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
good -- The word translated as "good means "good," "beautiful," "noble," or "of good quality." It is most often translated as "good" juxtaposed with "evil" in the New Testament, but the two ideas are closer to "wonderful" and "worthless," "noble" and "base." See this article on the Greek words translated as "good." -- As an adverb,the word translated as "well" means, "well," "rightly," "happily," "thoroughly," "altogether," and "deservedly."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
ground; -- The word translated as "earth" means "ground," "land," "country," and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Jesus describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
such as -- (CW) "Such as" is a pronoun that means "that," "anyone who," "anything which," "whosoever," "whichsoever" and "anybody whatsoever." It is plural so "those.
hear - -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from. However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
word -- (CW) "Word" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works. "Teaching" might work but it is unrelated to the common words for "to teach," "teacher," and "student" that all have the same root.
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
receive, (CW) "Receive" is a Greek verb Jesus only uses here. It means "receive from another", "take over", "admit", "allow," and "recognize as correct." This is not the common Greek word usually translated as "receive." Since the context is "knowledge" the sense is more "accept as correct."
it -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
bring forth fruit, -- "Brings forth fruit" is from a Greek verb that means specifically "to bear fruit." It is formed from two roots, one the word for "fruit" and the other the verb that means "to bear", "to carry", "to bring", "to produce," and "to fetch." It is also a metaphor in Greek, as in English, for virtue.
some -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "some" in the singular , neuter form of a subject. The word means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person. However, here it is in a plural form that is usually used in poetry without the . In some texts, this is the preposition usually translated as "in."
thirtyfold, == "Thirtyfold" is the word that means "thirty."
some -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "some" in the singular , neuter form of a subject. The word means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person. However, here it is in a plural form that is usually used in poetry without the . In some texts, this is the preposition usually translated as "in."
sixty, - This Greek word means the number "sixty" or "the sixtieth part."
and The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
some -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "some" in the singular , neuter form of a subject. The word means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person. However, here it is in a plural form that is usually used in poetry without the . In some texts, this is the preposition usually translated as "in."
an -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
hundred. - This is the number "a hundred."
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
Others,- (WW) The word translated as "others" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." Jesus often uses it as a term of honor to refer to his father, the Spirit, prophets, and so on. Here, it seems to refer to the Apostles who he is addressing. This is not the word for "others."
like -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "like" in the Greek source.
are -- The verb "are" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." With an indirect object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed.
seed -- (IW) There is no noun that can be translated as "seed" in the Greek source. But the verb is from the word "seed."
they -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
which -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "which" in the Greek source.
sown -- (WF) The Greek word translated as "sown" means specifically to "sow seeds" and "to scatter" as in sowing seeds. It is, however, from the same root word as the Greek word for "seeds" so "seeding" is closer to its meaning. Seeds" are Jesus's symbol of knowledge or the beginning of knowledge. This is not an active verb but a passive participle, "being sown."
on -- The word translated as "on" means "on," "over," "upon," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
good -- The word translated as "good means "good," "beautiful," "noble," or "of good quality." It is most often translated as "good" juxtaposed with "evil" in the New Testament, but the two ideas are closer to "wonderful" and "worthless," "noble" and "base." See this article on the Greek words translated as "good." -- As an adverb,the word translated as "well" means, "well," "rightly," "happily," "thoroughly," "altogether," and "deservedly."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
soil; -- The word translated as "soil" means "ground," "land," "country," and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Jesus describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
missing "whoever" -- (MW) The untranslated word "whoevers" is a pronoun that means "that," "anyone who," "anything which," "whosoever," "whichsoever" and "anybody whatsoever." It is plural so "those.
hear - -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from. However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
word -- (CW) "Word" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works. "Teaching" might work but it is unrelated to the common words for "to teach," "teacher," and "student" that all have the same root.
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
accept , -- "Accept" is a Greek verb Jesus only uses here. It means "receive from another", "take over", "admit", "allow," and "recognize as correct." This is not the common Greek word usually translated as "receive." Since the context is "knowledge" the sense is more "accept as correct."
it -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
produce a crop, -- "Produce a crop" is from a Greek verb that means specifically "to bear fruit." It is formed from two roots, one the word for "fruit" and the other the verb that means "to bear", "to carry", "to bring", "to produce," and "to fetch." It is also a metaphor in Greek, as in English, for virtue.
some -- The Greek word translated as "some" in the plural, neuter form of a subject. The word means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person. However, here it is in a plural form that is usually used in poetry without the . In some texts, this is the preposition usually translated as "in."
thirtyfold, == "Thirtyfold" is the word that means "thirty."
some -- The Greek word translated as "some" in the plural, neuter form of a subject. The word means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person. However, here it is in a plural form that is usually used in poetry without the . In some texts, this is the preposition usually translated as "in."
sixty, - This Greek word means the number "sixty" or "the sixtieth part."
and The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
some -- The Greek word translated as "some" in the plural, neuter form of a subject. The word means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person. However, here it is in a plural form that is usually used in poetry without the . In some texts, this is the preposition usually translated as "in."
an -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
hundred. - This is the number "a hundred."
what was sown. -- -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "what was sown. " in the Greek source.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἐκεῖνοί [107 verses] ( adj pl masc nom ) "These" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," and, in the form of an adverb, "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner." -
εἰσιν [614 verses] ( verb 3rd pl pres ind act ) "Are" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." With the dative, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed.
οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) "They" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "On" is from epi which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," and "against." With a noun in the possessive, genitive, it means "upon," "on" but not necessarily of Place, "by (of persons)," "deep (with numbers)," "in the presence of," "towards," "in the time of," and "over (referring to a person of authority)." With a noun indirect object, dative, it means of place: "upon," "on," or "over," of people: "against (in a hostile sense)," regarding a situation: "towards" or "in reference to," of an accumulation: "upon," "after," "addition to," and "besides," of position: "after," "behind," "in dependence upon," and "in the power of," of time: "by," and "after," and. in a causal sense: "of the occasion or cause," "of an end or purpose," "of the condition upon which a thing is done," "on condition that," and "of price." With the objective noun, an accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)." With verbs of perceiving, observing, judging, it means "in the case of."
τὴν [821 verses] (art sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
γῆν [59 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Earth" is ge, which means "the element of earth," "land (country)," "arable land," "the ground," and "the world" as the opposite of the sky. Like our English word "earth," it means both dirt and the planet.
τὴν [821 verses](art sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
καλὴν [48 verses](adj sg fem acc) "Good" is kalos, which means "beautiful," "good," "of fine quality," "noble," and "honorable." Referring to parts of the body, "fair" and "shapely."As an adverb,the word translated as "well" means, "well," "rightly," "happily," "thoroughly," "altogether," and "deservedly."
σπαρέντες, [31 verses]( part pl aor pass masc nom ) "Which are sow" is speiro, which means "to sow a seed," "to beget offspring," "to scatter like a seed," and "to sow a field."
οἵτινες [90 verses](pron pl masc nom ) "Such as" is hostis, which means "that," "anyone who," "anything which," "whosoever," "whichsoever" and "anybody whatsoever."
ἀκούουσιν [95 verses](verb 3rd pl pres ind act attic ) "Hear" is akouo, which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from. However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
λόγον [80 verses] (noun sg masc acc) "Word"(noun sg masc nom) "Word" is logos, which means "word," "computation," "relation," "explanation," "law," "rule of conduct," "continuous statement," "tradition," "discussion," "reckoning," "reputation" (when applied to people), and "value."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
παραδέχονται [1 verse](verb 3rd pl pres ind mp ) "Receive" is from paradechomai, which means "receive from another", "take over", "admit", "allow," and "recognize as correct."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
καρποφοροῦσιν [4 verses] ( verb 3rd pl pres ind act ) "Brings forth fruit" is from karpophoreô, which means specifically "to bear fruit." It is also a metaphor in Greek, as in English, for virtue.
ἐν or ἕν [413 verses](prep) "Some" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." OR [85 verses](noun sg neut nom) "Some" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular. -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
τριάκοντα [4 verses] (numeral) "Thirtyfold" is from triakonta which means "thirty."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
[ἐν or ἕν][413 verses](prep) "Some" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." OR [85 verses (noun sg neut nom) "Some" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular.
ἑξήκοντα [4 verses] (numeral) "Sixtyfold" is hexekonta, which means the number "sixty" or "the sixtieth part." -
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
[ἐν or ἕν] [85 verses](noun sg neut acc) "One" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular.
ἑκατόν. ἑκατὸν [10 verses](numeral) "An hundredfold" is from hekaton, which is the number "a hundred."
This is one of those verses that make me think that Jesus told this story different ways at different times, It is made to look in translation more like a similar verse (Matthew 13:23) than they really are in the Greek. Luke 8:15 is even more different. Here, the verse is all in plural, but in Matthew the parallel verse is all in singular, but in some places made to sound plural. In Matthew, those representing the good ground "understand" the word. The ending here is made to sound similar to Matthew, but not only are the numbers in reverse order, but the phrases they are in area completely different.