topMark ch 4

Chapter 4

NASTextRec

Parable of the Sower
(Mt 13.1‑9; Lk 8.4‑8)

4:2 καὶ ἐδίδασκεν αὐτοὺς ἐν παραβολαῖς πολλὰ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ, 2 καὶ ἐδίδασκεν αὐτοὺς ἐν παραβολαῖς πολλά, καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ἐν διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ,
And he was teaching them many things in parables, and kept saying to them in his teaching, And he was teaching them many things in parables, and kept saying to them in his teaching,
4:3 Ἀκούετε.
ἰδοὺ ἐξῆλθεν σπείρων σπεῖραι.
3 Ἀκούετε.
ἰδού, ἐξῆλθεν σπείρων τοῦ σπεῖραι·
“Listen! Look! the sower went out to sow; “Listen! Look! the sower went out to sow;
4:4 καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ σπείρειν μὲν ἔπεσεν παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, καὶ ἦλθεν τὰ πετεινὰ καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτό. 4 καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ σπείρειν, μὲν ἔπεσε παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, καὶ ἦλθε τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτό.
and it came to be while he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. and it came to be while he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds of the sky came and ate it up.
4:5 καὶ ἄλλο ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸ πετρῶδες [καὶ] ὅπου οὐκ εἶχεν γῆν πολλήν, καὶ εὐθὺς ἐξανέτειλεν διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς, 5 ἄλλο δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸ πετρῶδες, ὅπου οὐκ εἶχε γῆν πολλήν, καὶ εὐθέως ἐξανέτειλε, διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς·
Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil; and immediately it germinated because it had no depth of soil. Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil; and immediately it germinated because it had no depth of soil.
4:6 καὶ ὅτε ἀνέτειλεν ἥλιος ἐκαυματίσθη καὶ διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ῥίζαν ἐξηράνθη. 6 ἡλίου δὲ ἀνατείλαντος ἐκαυματίσθη, καὶ διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ῥίζαν ἐξηράνθη.
And after the sun dawned, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. But after the sun dawned, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7 καὶ ἄλλο ἔπεσεν εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας, καὶ ἀνέβησαν αἱ ἄκανθαι καὶ συνέπνιξαν αὐτό, καὶ καρπὸν οὐκ ἔδωκεν. 7 καὶ ἄλλο ἔπεσεν εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας· καὶ ἀνέβησαν αἱ ἄκανθαι, καὶ συνέπνιξαν αὐτό, καὶ καρπὸν οὐκ ἔδωκε.
Other seed fell among the thistles, and the thistles came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Other seed fell among the thistles, and the thistles came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.
4:9 καὶ ἔλεγεν, ὃς ἔχει ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω. 9 καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς, ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω.
And he continued saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he continued saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Purpose of the Parables
(Mt 13.10‑17; Lk 8.9‑10)

4:10 καὶ ὅτε ἐγένετο κατὰ μόνας, ἠρώτων αὐτὸν οἱ περὶ αὐτὸν σὺν τοῖς δώδεκα τὰς παραβολάς. 10 ὅτε δὲ ἐγένετο καταμόνας, ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν σὺν τοῖς δώδεκα τὴν παραβολήν.
And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve were asking him about the parables. And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve were asking him about the parables.
4:11 καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς, ὑμῖν τὸ μυστήριον δέδοται τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ, ἐκείνοις δὲ τοῖς ἔξω ἐν παραβολαῖς τὰ πάντα γίνεται, 11 καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς, ὑμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι τὸ μυστήριον τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ· ἐκείνοις δὲ τοῖς ἔξω, ἐν παραβολαῖς τὰ πάντα γίνεται·
And he continued saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything comes in parables, And he continued saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything comes in parables,
4:12 ἵνα βλέποντες βλέπωσιν καὶ μὴ ἴδωσιν, καὶ ἀκούοντες ἀκούωσιν καὶ μὴ συνιῶσιν, μήποτε ἐπιστρέψωσιν καὶ ἀφεθῇ αὐτοῖς. 12 ἵνα βλέποντες βλέπωσι, καὶ μὴ ἴδωσι, καὶ ἀκούοντες ἀκούωσι καὶ μὴ συνιῶσι· μήποτε ἐπιστρέψωσι, καὶ ἀφεθῇ αὐτοῖς τὰ ἁμαρτήματα.
so that ‘while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven them.’ ”[1] so that ‘while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and their sins be forgiven them.’ ”[1]

Parable of the Sower Explained
(Mt 13.18‑23; Lk 8.11‑15)

4:13 καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς, οὐκ οἴδατε τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην καὶ πῶς πάσας τὰς παραβολὰς γνώσεσθε; 13 καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς, οὐκ οἴδατε τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην;
καὶ πῶς πάσας τὰς παραβολὰς γνώσεσθε;
And he said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable; how will you understand all the parables? And he said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?
4:15 οὗτοι δέ εἰσιν οἱ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, ὅπου σπείρεται λόγος καὶ ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν, εὐθὺς ἔρχεται Σατανᾶς καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον τὸν ἐσπαρμένον εἰς αὐτούς. 15 οὗτοι δέ εἰσιν οἱ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, ὅπου σπείρεται λόγος, καὶ ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν, εὐθέως ἔρχεται Σατανᾶς καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον τὸν ἐσπαρμένον ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν.
And these are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. And these are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in their hearts.
4:16 καὶ οὗτοί εἰσιν ὁμοίως οἱ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπειρόμενοι, οἳ ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν τὸν λόγον εὐθὺς μετὰ χαρᾶς λαμβάνουσιν αὐτόν, 16 καὶ οὗτοί εἰσιν ὁμοίως οἱ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπειρόμενοι, οἳ, ὅταν ἀκούσωσι τὸν λόγον, εὐθέως μετὰ χαρᾶς λαμβάνουσιν αὐτόν,
And these are the ones likewise on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; And these are the ones likewise on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy;
4:17 καὶ οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιροί εἰσιν, εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζονται. 17 καὶ οὐκ ἔχουσι ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιροί εἰσιν· εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον, εὐθέως σκανδαλίζονται.
and they have no root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. and they have no root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.
4:18 καὶ ἄλλοι εἰσὶν οἱ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας σπειρόμενοι, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ τὸν λόγον ἀκούσαντες, 18 καὶ οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας σπειρόμενοι, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ τὸν λόγον ἀκούοντες,
And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thistles; these are the ones who have heard the word, And these are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thistles; these are the ones who have heard the word,

Light under a Bushel
(Lk 8.16‑18)

4:21 καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι μήτι ἔρχεται λύχνος ἵνα ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον τεθῇ ὑπὸ τὴν κλίνην;
οὐχ ἵνα ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν τεθῇ;
21 καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς, μήτι λύχνος ἔρχεται, ἵνα ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον τεθῇ ὑπὸ τὴν κλίνην;
οὐχ ἵνα ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν ἐπιτεθῇ;
And he continued saying to them, “A lamp does not arrive so that it should be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Shouldn’t it be put on the lampstand? And he continued saying to them, “A lamp does not arrive so that it should be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Shouldn’t it be put on the lampstand?
4:22 οὐ γάρ ἐστιν κρυπτὸν ἐὰν μὴ ἵνα φανερωθῇ, οὐδὲ ἐγένετο ἀπόκρυφον ἀλλ᾿ ἵνα ἔλθη εἰς φανερόν. 22 οὐ γάρ ἐστί τι κρυπτόν, ἐὰν μὴ φανερωθῇ· οὐδὲ ἐγένετο ἀπόκρυφον, ἀλλ᾿ ἵνα εἰς φανερὸν ἔλθη.
For nothing is hidden, lest it should be revealed; nor has anything become secret, but in order that it would come into visibility. For nothing is hidden, except in order to be revealed; nor has anything become secret, but in order that it would come into visibility.
4:23 εἴ τις ἔχει ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω. 23 εἴ τις ἔχει ὦτα ἀκούειν, ἀκουέτω.
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24 καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς, βλέπετε τί ἀκούετε.
ἐν μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε μετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν καὶ προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν.
24 καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς, βλέπετε τί ἀκούετε.
ἐν μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε, μετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν, καὶ προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν τοῖς ἀκούουσιν.
And he continued saying to them, “Watch what you hear. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be added to you. And he was saying to them, “Watch what you hear. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be added to the ones of you who hear.
4:25 ὃς γὰρ ἔχει, δοθήσεται αὐτῷ, καὶ ὃς οὐκ ἔχει καὶ ἔχει ἀρθήσεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ. 25 ὃς γὰρ ἂν ἔχῃ, δοθήσεται αὐτῷ· καὶ ὃς οὐκ ἔχει, καὶ ἔχει ἀρθήσεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.
For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever doesn’t have, even what he has shall be carried away from him.” For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever doesn’t have, even what he has shall be carried away from him.”

Parable of the Growing Seed

4:26 καὶ ἔλεγεν, οὕτως ἐστὶν βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ ὡς ἄνθρωπος βάλῃ τὸν σπόρον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς 26 καὶ ἔλεγεν, οὕτως ἐστὶν βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ, ὡς ἐὰν ἄνθρωπος βάλῃ τὸν σπόρον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς,
And he continued saying, “Thus the kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; And he continued saying, “Thus the kingdom of God is like if a man casts seed upon the soil;
4:27 καὶ καθεύδῃ καὶ ἐγείρηται νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ σπόρος βλαστᾷ καὶ μηκύνηται ὡς οὐκ οἶδεν αὐτός. 27 καὶ καθεύδῃ καὶ ἐγείρηται νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ σπόρος βλαστάνῃ καὶ μηκύνηται ὡς οὐκ οἶδεν αὐτός.
and he goes to bed at night and gets up in the day, and the seed sprouts and grows – he himself doesn’t know how. and he goes to bed at night and gets up in the day, and the seed sprouts and grows – he himself doesn’t know how.
4:28 αὐτομάτη γῆ καρποφορεῖ, πρῶτον χόρτον εἶτα στάχυν εἶτα πλήρη σῖτον ἐν τῷ στάχυϊ. 28 αὐτομάτη γὰρ γῆ καρποφορεῖ, πρῶτον χόρτον, εἶτα στάχυν, εἶτα πλήρη σῖτον ἐν τῷ στάχυϊ.
The soil produces crops automatically; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. The soil produces crops automatically; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.
4:29 ὅταν δὲ παραδοῖ καρπός, εὐθὺς ἀποστέλλει τὸ δρέπανον, ὅτι παρέστηκεν θερισμός. 29 ὅταν δὲ παραδῷ καρπός, εὐθέως ἀποστέλλει τὸ δρέπανον, ὅτι παρέστηκεν θερισμός.
But when the crop permits, he immediately sends forth the sickle, because the harvest has come.” But when the crop permits, he immediately sends forth the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Parable of the Mustard Seed
(Mt 13.31‑32; Lk 13.18‑19)

4:30 καὶ ἔλεγεν, πῶς ὁμοιώσωμεν τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν τίνι αὐτὴν παραβολῇ θῶμεν; 30 καὶ ἔλεγε, τίνι ὁμοιώσωμεν τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ;
ἐν ποίᾳ παραβολῇ παραβάλωμεν αὐτήν;
And he continued saying, “How shall we compare the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we put? And he continued saying, “How shall we compare the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we compare?
4:31 ὡς κόκκῳ σινάπεως, ὃς ὅταν σπαρῇ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μικρότερον ὂν πάντων τῶν σπερμάτων τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, 31 ὡς κόκκῳ σινάπεως, ὃς, ὅταν σπαρῇ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μικρότερος ὂν πάντων τῶν σπερμάτων ἐστὶ τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς·
It is like a mustard seed, which, when planted upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, It is like a mustard seed, which, when planted upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil,
4:32 καὶ ὅταν σπαρῇ, ἀναβαίνει καὶ γίνεται μεῖζον πάντων τῶν λαχάνων καὶ ποιεῖ κλάδους μεγάλους, ὥστε δύνασθαι ὑπὸ τὴν σκιὰν αὐτοῦ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνοῦν. 32 καὶ ὅταν σπαρῇ, ἀναβαίνει, καὶ γίνεται πάντων τῶν λαχάνων μείζων, καὶ ποιεῖ κλάδους μεγάλους, ὥστε δύνασθαι ὑπὸ τὴν σκιὰν αὐτοῦ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνοῦν.
and when it is planted, it grows up and becomes larger than all the vegetable plants and makes large branches; so that the birds of the sky can nest under its shade.” and when it is planted, it grows up and becomes larger than all the vegetable plants and makes large branches; so that the birds of the sky can nest under its shade.”

Use of Parables
(Mt 13.34‑35)

4:33 καὶ τοιαύταις παραβολαῖς πολλαῖς ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον καθὼς ἠδύναντο ἀκούειν, 33 καὶ τοιαύταις παραβολαῖς πολλαῖς ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον, καθὼς ἠδύναντο ἀκούειν·
With many such parables he continued speaking the word to them, just as they were able to hear it; With many such parables he continued speaking the word to them, just as they were able to hear it;
4:34 χωρὶς δὲ παραβολῆς οὐκ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς, κατ᾿ ἰδίαν δὲ τοῖς ἰδίοις μαθηταῖς ἐπέλυεν πάντα. 34 χωρὶς δὲ παραβολῆς οὐκ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς· κατ᾿ ἰδίαν δὲ τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἐπέλυε πάντα.
and he didn’t speak to them without a parable; but to his own disciples, he explained all things. and he didn’t speak to them without a parable; but to his own disciples, he explained all things.

Calming of a Storm
(Mt 8.23‑27; Lk 8.22‑25)

4:35 καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ὀψίας γενομένης, διέλθωμεν εἰς τὸ πέραν. 35 καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ὀψίας γενομένης, διέλθωμεν εἰς τὸ πέραν.
On that day, when evening came, he said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” On that day, when evening came, he said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”
4:36 καὶ ἀφέντες τὸν ὄχλον παραλαμβάνουσιν αὐτὸν ὡς ἦν ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ, καὶ ἄλλα πλοῖα ἦν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ. 36 καὶ ἀφέντες τὸν ὄχλον παραλαμβάνουσιν αὐτὸν ὡς ἦν ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ.
καὶ ἄλλα δὲ πλοιάρια ἦν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ.
And after leaving the crowd, they took him along with them in the boat, just as he was; and other boats were with him. And after leaving the crowd, they took him along with them in the boat, just as he was; and other boats were with him.
4:37 καὶ γίνεται λαῖλαψ μεγάλη ἀνέμου καὶ τὰ κύματα ἐπέβαλλεν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον, ὥστε ἤδη γεμίζεσθαι τὸ πλοῖον. 37 καὶ γίνεται λαῖλαψ ἀνέμου μεγάλη· τὰ δὲ κύματα ἐπέβαλλεν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον, ὥστε ἤδη γεμίζεσθαι.
And a strong windstorm occurred and the waves kept beating upon the boat so much that already the boat was filling up. And a strong windstorm occurred but the waves kept beating upon the boat so much that already it was filling up.
4:38 καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἐν τῇ πρύμνῃ ἐπὶ τὸ προσκεφάλαιον καθεύδων.
καὶ ἐγείρουσιν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, διδάσκαλε, οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι ἀπολλύμεθα;
38 καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπὶ τῇ πρύμνῃ ἐπὶ τὸ προσκεφάλαιον καθεύδων· καὶ διεγείρουσιν αὐτόν, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, διδάσκαλε, οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι ἀπολλύμεθα;
And he was in the stern, asleep on a cushion; and they aroused him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are perishing?” And he was in the stern, asleep on a cushion; and they aroused him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are perishing?”
4:39 καὶ διεγερθεὶς ἐπετίμησεν τῷ ἀνέμῳ καὶ εἶπεν τῇ θαλάσσῃ, σιώπα, πεφίμωσο.
καὶ ἐκόπασεν ἄνεμος καὶ ἐγένετο γαλήνη μεγάλη.
39 καὶ διεγερθεὶς ἐπετίμησε τῷ ἀνέμῳ, καὶ εἶπε τῇ θαλάσσῃ, σιώπα, πεφίμωσο.
καὶ ἐκόπασεν ἄνεμος, καὶ ἐγένετο γαλήνη μεγάλη.
And after waking up, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Silence! be subdued!” And the wind ceased and became a great calm. And after waking up, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Silence! be subdued!” And the wind ceased and became a great calm.
4:40 καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, τί δειλοί ἐστε;
οὔπω ἔχετε πίστιν;
40 καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, τί δειλοί ἐστε οὕτω;
πῶς οὐκ ἔχετε πίστιν;
And he said to them, “Why are you fearful? Don’t you yet have faith?” And he said to them, “Why are you fearful? Don’t you yet have faith?”
4:41 καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἀλλήλους, τίς ἄρα οὗτός ἐστιν ὅτι καὶ ἄνεμος καὶ θάλασσα ὑπακούει αὐτῷ; 41 καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν, καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἀλλήλους, τίς ἄρα οὗτός ἐστιν, ὅτι καὶ ἄνεμος καὶ θάλασσα ὑπακούουσιν αὐτῷ;
They were afraid with great fear and kept saying to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” They were afraid with great fear and kept saying to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

[1] Isa 6:9-10

[2] Lit.: for the remainder, i.e., what you don’t have but wish you did