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 4:20KJV
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Mark 4:20 (KJV)

What does Mark 4:20 mean?

Mark 4:20 describes people who hear the message about God, accept it, and their lives show real results—like a harvest that produces thirty, sixty, or a hundred times what was planted. This verse highlights that some people truly take in what they hear and it leads to visible, abundant change.

In this part of Mark, Jesus is explaining the meaning of his parable about a farmer sowing seeds. He is speaking to his disciples, showing them that the "good ground" represents those who not only listen to God's word but also welcome it deeply and let it grow in their lives. The different amounts of fruit—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, a hundredfold—picture the variety of positive outcomes that can come from genuinely receiving and living out the message.

The Greek behind Mark 4:20

  • γῆ (gē, "ground"): This word means "earth" or "soil." Here, it stands for a person's heart or life—how open and ready someone is to receive the message.
  • παραδέχονται (paradechontai, "receive"): This Greek word means to accept or welcome something. It emphasizes not just hearing but truly taking in the message, making it part of oneself.
  • καρποφοροῦσιν (karpophorousin, "bring forth fruit"): This word means to bear or produce fruit. In this context, it points to real, visible results or changes in a person's life as a result of accepting the message.

Why Mark 4:20 matters

  • Mark 4:20 clears up that simply hearing the message is not enough; real change comes from accepting it and letting it grow within.
  • The verse highlights that the results of receiving the message can look different for different people—there is no single "right" amount of fruit, but all genuine growth is valuable.
  • Mark 4:20 ties the whole parable together, showing that the main point is about the condition of the listener's heart and the lasting impact of truly receiving what Jesus teaches.

Where else these words appear

“receive” Greek G3858 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 16:21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
  • Acts 22:18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
  • 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

“fruit” Greek G2592 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
  • Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
  • Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

“sixty” Greek G1835 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
  • Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
  • 1 Timothy 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

“thirtyfold” Greek G5144 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
  • Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
  • Luke 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being(as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,