Mark 4:14

KJV

The sower soweth the word.

KJV (with Strong's)

The sower {G4687} soweth {G4687} the word {G3056}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sower sows the message.

Berean Standard Bible

The farmer sows the word.

American Standard Version

The sower soweth the word.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 4:14 serves as Jesus' direct explanation of the Parable of the Sower, unequivocally identifying the "seed" that the sower scatters as "the word." This foundational statement clarifies the nature of the divine message being proclaimed, establishing the core truth that the Gospel, or the teaching of the Kingdom of God, is the essential element being disseminated, thereby setting the stage for understanding the varying responses to this truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is pivotal, immediately following Jesus' recitation of the Parable of the Sower to a large crowd by the Sea of Galilee ([Mark 4:1-9](/mark/4-1-9 "Mark 4:1-9 - Parable of the Sower")). While the parable itself is presented to the masses, Jesus' explanation, beginning with Mark 4:14, is given privately to His disciples and those around Him who sought further understanding ([Mark 4:10-13](/mark/4-10-13 "Mark 4:10-13 - Purpose of Parables")). This sequence highlights a key theme in Mark's Gospel: the disciples are given insight into the mysteries of the Kingdom that are veiled from others. The subsequent verses ([Mark 4:15-20](/mark/4-15-20 "Mark 4:15-20 - Explanation of the Soils")) then elaborate on the different types of "soil" or hearers, making Mark 4:14 the interpretative key that unlocks the entire parable.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' audience, primarily rural Galileans, would have been intimately familiar with the agricultural practices of sowing. The imagery of a sower scattering seed across various terrains—paths, rocky ground, thorny patches, and good soil—was a common and relatable sight in ancient Israel. Farmers would often sow by hand, scattering seed broadly, some inevitably falling on less-than-ideal ground. This agricultural backdrop provides a vivid and accessible metaphor for the spiritual reality Jesus is conveying. Furthermore, the practice of teaching through parables was a common rabbinic method, designed to engage listeners and often to reveal truth to those with receptive hearts while obscuring it from those who were spiritually dull.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 4:14 is central to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Mark and broader biblical theology. It directly addresses the **nature of the Word of God**, establishing it as the divine message, the Gospel of the [Kingdom of God](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - The Kingdom of God is at hand"), which is actively proclaimed. It also underscores the **role of proclamation**, identifying the "sower" as anyone who faithfully disseminates this Word. While the verse itself focuses on the seed, it implicitly sets the stage for the crucial theme of **hearing and understanding**, which is a recurring motif in [Mark 4](/mark/4 "Mark 4 - Parables of the Kingdom"). Jesus repeatedly emphasizes the importance of having "ears to hear" ([Mark 4:9](/mark/4-9 "Mark 4:9 - He who has ears to hear")). The parable, and its explanation, also highlight the **varied responses to the Gospel**, foreshadowing the different outcomes based on the condition of the hearer's heart.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sower (Greek, _speírō'_):** Derived from the verb "to scatter" or "to sow," this term, when used as a noun, refers to the one who performs the act of sowing. In the context of the parable, it represents anyone who proclaims or disseminates the divine message. The emphasis is on the action of broad and indiscriminate scattering of the seed.
* **soweth (Greek, _speírō'_):** This is the verb form of the same root as "sower," emphasizing the action itself. It denotes the active process of scattering the seed. In the spiritual sense, it signifies the act of proclaiming, teaching, or sharing the "word" widely, without prejudice, to all types of hearers.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** This is a profoundly significant term. While it can mean "something said" or "speech," in this theological context, especially when referring to divine revelation, it carries the weight of God's message, His truth, His divine utterance. Here, it specifically refers to the Gospel, the message of the Kingdom of God, the teaching of Christ, which is the potent and living truth capable of bringing spiritual life and transformation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The sower":** This phrase identifies the agent of the action. In the parable, it is Jesus Himself as the primary sower, but it also extends to anyone who proclaims the Gospel message, whether an apostle, evangelist, teacher, or any believer sharing their faith. It highlights the human instrument God uses to disseminate His truth.
* **"soweth":** This verb describes the action of scattering or disseminating. It implies a generous and widespread distribution of the seed. The sower does not carefully place each seed but broadcasts it, indicating that the Gospel message is to be proclaimed broadly to all people, regardless of their apparent receptivity.
* **"the word":** This is the crucial interpretative key of the verse. Jesus explicitly defines the "seed" of the parable as "the word." This "word" is not merely human speech but the divine revelation, the message of salvation, the truth about God's Kingdom. It is the content of the Gospel, the life-giving truth that is powerful and effective.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 4:14 functions as the hermeneutical key to the Parable of the Sower, primarily employing **Allegory** and **Metaphor**. The entire parable is an extended **Metaphor**, where agricultural elements stand for spiritual realities: the "seed" is a metaphor for "the word," the "sower" for the one who proclaims it, and the "soils" for different types of hearers. By explicitly stating "the sower soweth the word," Jesus transforms the metaphor into a direct **Allegory**, where each component of the story has a precise, one-to-one spiritual correspondence. This didactic approach is a form of **Didacticism**, as Jesus uses a relatable narrative to teach profound theological truths about the nature of God's message and its reception.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 4:14 fundamentally clarifies the nature of the Gospel message. It asserts that the core of Christian proclamation is "the word"—the divine revelation of God's truth, His redemptive plan, and the good news of His Kingdom. This "word" is not a human invention or philosophy, but a powerful, living, and active seed that carries within itself the potential for spiritual life and transformation. The sower's responsibility is to faithfully scatter this word, trusting in its inherent power and God's sovereign work in the hearts of those who hear it. This verse underscores the priority of biblical truth in evangelism and discipleship, reminding believers that our primary task is to disseminate God's revealed truth.

* [Isaiah 55:10-11](/isaiah/55-10-11 "Isaiah 55:10-11 - God's Word will accomplish its purpose")
* [1 Peter 1:23-25](/1_peter/1-23-25 "1 Peter 1:23-25 - Born again through the living and abiding Word")
* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 4:14 offers profound and practical implications for every believer. It clarifies our mission: we are called to be sowers of "the word." This means faithfully and consistently sharing the Gospel message, the truths of Scripture, and the good news of Jesus Christ. Our primary responsibility is not to manipulate results or ensure immediate fruit, but to diligently and widely scatter the seed. We are reminded that the power resides in the seed itself—the inherent, life-giving power of God's Word—not in our eloquence, strategy, or persuasive abilities. This understanding liberates us from the burden of outcome and empowers us to simply be faithful in proclamation, trusting that the Holy Spirit will prepare the soil and bring forth the harvest in His time. It encourages us to speak truth into every situation, knowing that even if the ground seems unreceptive, the Word itself remains potent and true.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding "the word" as the seed impact your approach to sharing the Gospel with others?**
* **In what practical ways can you be a more intentional "sower of the word" in your daily interactions and spheres of influence?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the inherent power of God's Word, and how does that encourage you in moments of perceived fruitlessness?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the word" in this verse, and how does it relate to other biblical concepts?**

Answer: In Mark 4:14, "the word" (Greek: _lógos_) is explicitly identified as the "seed" in the Parable of the Sower. This "word" is far more than mere human speech; it refers to the divine message of God, specifically the Gospel of the [Kingdom of God](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - The Kingdom of God is at hand") that Jesus proclaimed. It encompasses the entirety of God's revealed truth, His commands, His promises, and the good news of salvation through Christ. This concept of "the word" is deeply significant throughout Scripture, often used to describe God's active and powerful self-revelation. For instance, [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is living and active") describes God's Word as living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, capable of discerning thoughts and intentions. [Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Gospel is the power of God for salvation") declares the Gospel (the Word) to be the power of God for salvation. Thus, "the word" in Mark 4:14 is the potent, life-giving truth that God uses to bring about spiritual transformation and establish His Kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Mark 4:14 explicitly defines the seed as "the word," its Christ-centered fulfillment points us beyond a mere message to the very person of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is Himself identified as "the Word" (Greek: _Logos_) who was with God and was God from the beginning ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word was God")). This divine Word, who is the full expression and revelation of God, "became flesh and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word became flesh")). Therefore, when the sower sows "the word," he is, in essence, sowing Christ—the message of the Kingdom is inseparable from the King Himself. The truth proclaimed is not merely a set of doctrines, but the living truth embodied in Jesus. He is the ultimate revelation of God ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God speaks through His Son")), the one in whom "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - All the fullness of God dwells in Christ")). Thus, the power of the "seed" lies in the fact that it is the message of Christ, and indeed, Christ Himself, being sown into the hearts of humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 8:4

¶ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Matthew 13:19

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Luke 8:11

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

1 Peter 1:23

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Peter 1:25

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Matthew 13:37

He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

Mark 2:2

And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive [them], no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.