Mark 4:18

KJV

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} these {G3778} are {G1526} they which are {G1526} sown {G4687} among {G1519} thorns {G173}; such as {G3778} hear {G191} the word {G3056},

Complete Jewish Bible

Others are those sown among thorns -- they hear the message;

Berean Standard Bible

Others are like the seeds sown among the thorns. They hear the word,

American Standard Version

And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 4:18 describes the third category of soil in Jesus's Parable of the Sower: those who hear the word of God, but whose spiritual growth is ultimately choked by worldly concerns. This verse serves as a crucial warning about the insidious nature of distractions and desires that prevent the seed of the Gospel from taking deep root and producing lasting spiritual fruit in a person's life, highlighting that initial reception alone is insufficient for genuine transformation and fruitfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 4:18 is part of Jesus's private explanation of the [Parable of the Sower](/mark/4-1-9 "Mark 4:1-9 - The Parable of the Sower") to His disciples, following its public recitation. After teaching in parables to the crowds (Mark 4:1-9), Jesus withdraws with His inner circle (Mark 4:10-12) to clarify the deeper meaning of His teachings, emphasizing that understanding the parables is foundational to grasping the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. This specific verse explicates the "thorny ground" mentioned in [Mark 4:7](/mark/4-7 "Mark 4:7 - The Seed Among Thorns"), detailing the spiritual condition of those who initially receive the word but are subsequently overcome by external pressures and internal desires, preventing spiritual fruitfulness. It stands in contrast to the unproductive "wayside" and "rocky" soils, and the fruitful "good soil" described in [Mark 4:20](/mark/4-20 "Mark 4:20 - The Good Soil").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The agricultural setting of the Parable of the Sower was deeply relatable to Jesus's first-century audience in Galilee, a region dependent on farming. Farmers in ancient Israel faced common challenges, including the presence of thorns and weeds that would compete with crops for vital resources like water, sunlight, and nutrients. These thorns, often pervasive and difficult to eradicate, could easily choke out tender seedlings, rendering the harvest unfruitful. The imagery of seed falling "among thorns" would immediately conjure up a vivid picture of a farmer's struggle against invasive weeds, making the spiritual analogy of worldly concerns choking the "word" powerfully clear and resonant for listeners familiar with the realities of their agrarian society.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 4:18 contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark and the broader biblical narrative. Primarily, it highlights the **obstacles to spiritual growth** and the **necessity of genuine receptivity** to God's word. While the "wayside" and "rocky ground" represent those who either do not understand or lack perseverance, the "thorny ground" specifically addresses the danger of **divided loyalties** and the **deceitfulness of worldly concerns**. As [Mark 4:19](/mark/4-19 "Mark 4:19 - The Meaning of the Thorns") elaborates, these thorns symbolize "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things." This underscores the theme that merely hearing the word is insufficient; it must be cultivated and protected from competing influences to produce the desired **fruitfulness** for the Kingdom, a theme also echoed in Jesus's teaching about seeking [the Kingdom of God above all else](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sown (Greek, _speírō'_):** From G4687, meaning "to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it refers to the initial reception of the "word" (the Gospel message) into the human heart, indicating that the seed has indeed landed and begun to germinate. It implies an initial, albeit potentially superficial, engagement with the divine message.
* **among (Greek, _eis'_):** From G1519, a preposition indicating "to or into (indicating the point reached or entered)." Here, it denotes the location where the seed is sown—not on barren ground, but amidst existing thorns. This preposition is crucial, as it signifies that the thorns are already present and established, ready to compete with and ultimately overwhelm the nascent spiritual growth.
* **thorns (Greek, _ákantha'_):** From G173, meaning "a thorn." This word vividly describes prickly, invasive weeds. In the parable, "thorns" are a powerful symbol for anything that competes with the word of God for dominance in a person's life, specifically identified in the subsequent verse as worldly anxieties, the allure of wealth, and various other desires that distract and choke spiritual vitality.
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** From G191, meaning "to hear (in various senses)." This word emphasizes the auditory reception of the word. While it implies an initial act of listening and perhaps even understanding, the context of the thorny ground indicates that this hearing does not translate into deep, transformative obedience or sustained commitment, as the competing "thorns" prevent the word from taking full effect.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** From G3056, meaning "something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse)." In the Parable of the Sower, "the word" specifically refers to the message of the Kingdom of God, the Gospel, or the divine truth taught by Jesus. It is the spiritual seed that has the potential to bring forth life and fruit, but its efficacy depends on the condition of the soil—the human heart.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And these are they which are sown among thorns;"**: This clause identifies the third group of hearers in the parable. The phrase "sown among thorns" is a direct metaphor for individuals who receive the word of God (the spiritual seed) into hearts that are already preoccupied or entangled with worldly concerns. The imagery suggests that the "thorns" (distractions, anxieties, desires) are already present and established, creating an environment hostile to the flourishing of the divine seed.
* **"such as hear the word,"**: This second clause clarifies that these individuals are not entirely unreceptive. They genuinely "hear" the message, implying an initial understanding and perhaps even an enthusiastic reception. Unlike the wayside soil (where the word is immediately snatched away) or the rocky soil (where it withers due to lack of depth), the thorny soil allows the word to begin to grow. However, the critical issue is not the initial hearing, but what happens *after* the hearing—the failure to cultivate and protect the word from competing influences.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 4:18, as part of the Parable of the Sower, primarily employs **Allegory** and **Symbolism**. The entire parable functions as an **Allegory**, where each element—the sower, the seed, and the different types of soil—represents a distinct spiritual reality. In this specific verse, the "thorns" are a powerful **Symbol** (or **Metaphor**) for the various worldly anxieties, material desires, and distractions that choke out spiritual life. This **Imagery** vividly conveys the idea of competition for resources (spiritual energy, focus, devotion) within the human heart, ultimately leading to spiritual unfruitfulness. The use of a common agricultural scenario makes the abstract spiritual truth accessible and memorable, drawing the audience into a deeper understanding of the challenges to receiving and living out the Kingdom message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 4:18 powerfully illustrates the theological truth that genuine spiritual transformation requires more than mere intellectual assent or initial enthusiasm; it demands a heart free from the choking grip of worldly preoccupations. The "thorns" represent the insidious nature of sin and distraction, which can subtly yet effectively nullify the power of God's word. This highlights the ongoing spiritual battle within the believer, where the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things vie for supremacy over one's devotion to Christ. The verse underscores the importance of a cultivated heart, one that actively purges these competing loyalties to allow the seed of the Gospel to take deep root and bear abundant fruit for the Kingdom of God. It serves as a stark reminder that spiritual fruitfulness is contingent upon perseverance and a singular focus on divine priorities.

* [Matthew 13:22](/matthew/13-22 "Matthew 13:22 - The Parable of the Sower, Thorny Ground")
* [Luke 8:14](/luke/8-14 "Luke 8:14 - The Parable of the Sower, Thorny Ground")
* [1 John 2:15-17](/1_john/2-15-17 "1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love the World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 4:18 serves as a profound mirror, inviting each of us to honestly examine the condition of our own hearts. It challenges the assumption that merely hearing or even intellectually assenting to the word of God is sufficient for spiritual vitality. Instead, it compels us to consider what "thorns" might be present in our lives—anxieties about the future, the relentless pursuit of material wealth, the allure of worldly pleasures, or even legitimate responsibilities that have become disproportionately consuming. These "thorns" are not necessarily evil in themselves, but their unchecked growth can suffocate the life-giving seed of God's word, preventing it from producing the fruit of righteousness, peace, and joy. This verse calls us to intentional spiritual gardening: to regularly prune away distractions, to prioritize our relationship with God, and to cultivate an environment where His word can truly flourish, leading to a life that genuinely reflects His Kingdom. It is a call to vigilance, self-examination, and a renewed commitment to seeking first the things of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "thorns" (cares, riches, desires) are currently competing for your attention and energy, potentially choking the word of God in your life?**
* **How can you intentionally identify and prune these "thorns" to create more space for God's word to grow and bear fruit?**
* **In what ways might you be hearing the word but failing to allow it to take deep root and transform your daily actions and priorities?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a more receptive and fertile "soil" in your heart for the Gospel?**

### FAQ

**What do the "thorns" in Mark 4:18 specifically represent?**

Answer: In Mark 4:18, the "thorns" symbolize anything that competes with the word of God for dominance in a person's life, ultimately hindering spiritual growth and fruitfulness. Jesus Himself clarifies their meaning in the very next verse, [Mark 4:19](/mark/4-19 "Mark 4:19 - The Meaning of the Thorns"), identifying them as "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in." This encompasses a broad range of worldly preoccupations: anxieties about daily life, the seductive power of wealth and materialism, and various desires or pleasures that distract from devotion to God. They represent competing loyalties that, though not always overtly sinful, can subtly choke out spiritual vitality.

**Is it possible for someone represented by the "thorny ground" to become fruitful?**

Answer: The parable itself describes the outcome for the thorny ground as "unfruitful," indicating that the word does not produce its intended harvest in those individuals. However, the parable is a warning and a call to self-examination, not a deterministic sentence. The implication is that if one recognizes their heart as "thorny ground," they can, through repentance and intentional spiritual discipline, remove those choking influences. The purpose of Jesus's explanation is to prompt listeners to cultivate the "good soil" within themselves, actively guarding their hearts against worldly distractions so that the word can indeed bear fruit. It calls for a conscious effort to prioritize God's kingdom, as encouraged in [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 4:18, while a warning about the dangers of divided loyalties, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in understanding Jesus as both the Sower and the Word itself. Christ is the divine Sower who casts the seed of the Kingdom, and He is also the living "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the very truth that is sown. The unfruitfulness of the thorny ground underscores the necessity of a radical commitment to Christ that transcends worldly attachments. Jesus's life perfectly exemplified a heart entirely free from the "cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things" ([Mark 4:19](/mark/4-19 "Mark 4:19 - The Meaning of the Thorns")). He consistently prioritized the will of His Father and the advancement of the Kingdom, even to the point of death on the cross, demonstrating that true life and fruitfulness are found only in complete surrender to God. Thus, the call to remove the "thorns" is fundamentally a call to fix our eyes on Jesus, the "author and perfecter of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus")), allowing His Spirit to prune away all that hinders the growth of His life within us, transforming us into fruitful disciples who bear witness to His Kingdom.

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

Luke 8:14

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Jeremiah 4:3

¶ For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Matthew 13:22

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Mark 4:7

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.