Mark 4:14 (KJV)

What does Mark 4:14 mean?

Mark 4:14 describes how the person sowing is spreading a message, specifically “the word.” In this verse, Jesus is explaining that the sower represents someone who shares God’s message with others, much like a farmer scatters seed.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples privately after telling the parable of the sower to a crowd. Here, he begins to explain the meaning behind the story. The “word” refers to the message about God’s kingdom. This verse sets up the explanation that follows, where Jesus describes how different people respond to this message, just as different types of soil receive seed in different ways.

The Greek behind Mark 4:14

• σπείρων (speirōn, “sower”): This word refers to someone who scatters or plants seed. In the context of the parable, it is a picture of anyone who shares God’s message, not just one specific person.
• σπείρει (speirei, “soweth”): This verb means to scatter or plant. The Greek here emphasizes an ongoing action, suggesting that sharing the message is something done repeatedly or as a way of life.
• λόγος (logos, “word”): This term often means “message” or “teaching.” In this verse, it points to the core message about God’s kingdom, not just any spoken word.

Why Mark 4:14 matters

• Mark 4:14 clarifies that the parable is not about farming, but about how people respond to God’s message.
• The verse shows that the focus is on the message itself (“the word”), not the skill or identity of the person sharing it.
• Understanding this verse helps make sense of the rest of the parable, where the different types of soil represent different responses to the message.