Mark 4:14

Mark 4:14, in plain English

Jesus explained, 'The farmer is planting the word of God.'

Why it's here

The seed is God's word. It's always good seed. The question was never about the quality of the message—it's about the readiness of the heart that receives it.

Who's speaking

Jesus begins explaining the parable, identifying the seed as God's word.

Where it sits in the story

The seed is perfect every time. God's word never fails on its own. The whole parable hinges on one question: what kind of soil is your heart?

The scholarly reading

Jesus begins the interpretation: 'The farmer sows the word (ton logon)'—identifying the seed as God's message and the sower as anyone who proclaims it.

Language and setting

The identification of the seed as 'the word' (ton logon) connects this parable to the broader Markan theme of Jesus' teaching ministry. The word is both the gospel proclamation and Jesus Himself as the incarnate Word.

Voice

Jesus begins explaining the parable allegorically, starting with the fundamental identification of the seed.

Significance

With this single sentence, Jesus revealed that the parable is about the reception of God's message. The variable is not the seed (the word is always good) or the sower (God is faithful) but the soil (the human heart).

12so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’”

13Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

14The farmer sows the word.

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.

Read all of Mark 4 — Jesus teaches about seeds that fall on different soils, then proves his authority by silencing a storm with a single command.