Mark 4:29

KJV

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when {G3752} the fruit {G2590} is brought forth {G3860}, immediately {G2112} he putteth in {G649} the sickle {G1407}, because {G3754} the harvest {G2326} is come {G3936}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But as soon as the crop is ready, the man comes with his sickle, because it's harvest-time."

Berean Standard Bible

And as soon as the grain is ripe, he swings the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

American Standard Version

But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 4:29 concludes the unique Parable of the Growing Seed, illustrating the mysterious, divinely orchestrated growth of the Kingdom of God. It highlights the decisive moment when the spiritual "fruit" reaches full maturity, prompting an immediate and inevitable "harvest." This verse underscores God's sovereign timing and the certainty of His purposes reaching their appointed culmination, whether in individual spiritual development or the ultimate consummation of His kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 4:29 is the concluding verse of the Parable of the Growing Seed, found exclusively in Mark's Gospel. This parable immediately follows Jesus' comprehensive explanation of the [Parable of the Sower](/mark/4-1-20 "Mark 4:1-20 - The Parable of the Sower and Its Meaning") and precedes the [Parable of the Mustard Seed](/mark/4-30-32 "Mark 4:30-32 - The Parable of the Mustard Seed"). Together, these parables in [Mark 4](/mark/4 "Mark Chapter 4 - Parables of the Kingdom") illuminate various aspects of the Kingdom of God: its reception (Sower), its mysterious growth (Growing Seed), and its surprising expansion (Mustard Seed). The Parable of the Growing Seed emphasizes that after the seed (the Word of God) is sown, its growth to maturity is an independent, divinely driven process, not dependent on human understanding or constant intervention. Verse 29 brings this process to its logical and inevitable conclusion, signaling the time for gathering the fully ripened crop.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery in Mark 4:29 is deeply rooted in the agricultural practices of ancient Palestine. Farmers would sow seed and then largely leave the crop to grow, understanding that the sun, rain, and soil (God's provision) were responsible for the growth. The "sickle" was a common hand tool used for harvesting grain, and the "harvest" was a crucial, climactic event, signifying the culmination of a season's labor and the gathering of its produce. In Jewish thought, harvest imagery often carried significant eschatological weight, symbolizing times of divine judgment, the ingathering of God's people, or the ultimate consummation of God's redemptive plan. The farmer's action of "putting in the sickle" was a decisive, timely act, indicating that the crop had reached its optimal state of readiness.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 4:29 contributes significantly to several key themes within [Mark's Gospel](/mark/1 "The Gospel of Mark - The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ") and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and the Inevitable Growth of the Kingdom**. The parable emphasizes that the growth of God's Kingdom, once the seed of the Word is sown, is not primarily dependent on human effort or comprehension but on God's mysterious and powerful work. The "fruit" represents the full development and spiritual maturity, whether of individuals or the Kingdom's full manifestation. Secondly, the verse highlights **The Certainty of Harvest and Divine Timing**. The phrase "immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come" signifies the undeniable and timely arrival of a predetermined culmination. Just as a farmer knows when a crop is ready, God knows the appointed time for the full revelation or culmination of His work, whether that be spiritual maturity, judgment, or the final ingathering of His people. This points to a definite end-point for growth and a time of reckoning, reinforcing the theme of God's precise and perfect timing in His unfolding plan, as seen in passages like [Ecclesiastes 3:1](/ecclesiastes/3-1 "Ecclesiastes 3:1 - A Time for Everything").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fruit (Greek, _karpós'_):** G2590. This word, derived from a root meaning "to pluck," refers to literal agricultural produce, but often extends to spiritual fruit, results, or outcomes. In this context, it signifies the ripened grain, the full yield of the sown seed, indicating a state of complete maturity and readiness for gathering.
* **brought forth (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** G3860. This verb means "to surrender, yield up, intrust, transmit." In this passive construction ("is brought forth"), it conveys the idea that the fruit has naturally, autonomously, and inevitably yielded itself to maturity. It's not forced, but rather it has reached a point where it "gives itself over" to ripeness, a process orchestrated by divine power, not human intervention.
* **immediately (Greek, _euthéōs'_):** G2112. This adverb emphasizes promptness and directness, meaning "at once or soon." Its inclusion here highlights the decisive and timely nature of the harvest. There is no delay once the fruit has reached its full development; the action is swift and certain, underscoring God's precise timing.
* **harvest (Greek, _therismós'_):** G2326. From the verb "to reap," this noun refers to the act of reaping or the crop itself. It is a powerful biblical metaphor for a time of culmination, judgment, or the gathering of God's people. Its arrival signifies the completion of the growth cycle and the necessary action of gathering what has matured.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when the fruit is brought forth,"**: This opening clause establishes the prerequisite for the ensuing action. The "fruit" (the crop) must reach a state of full maturity, having undergone the mysterious, God-ordained process of growth described in the preceding verses. The passive voice "is brought forth" emphasizes that this maturity is not achieved by the farmer's direct effort but is the natural, divinely enabled outcome of the seed's inherent life and God's sustaining power. It signifies the ripeness and readiness of the crop.
* **"immediately he putteth in the sickle,"**: This clause describes the decisive action taken once the fruit is mature. The adverb "immediately" highlights the promptness and certainty of this action – there is no delay once the conditions are met. The "he" implicitly refers to the farmer, but in the context of the parable's spiritual meaning, it points to God (or His appointed agents) as the one who initiates the harvest. "Putting in the sickle" is the act of reaping, gathering the mature crop, signifying a climactic and definitive intervention.
* **"because the harvest is come."**: This final clause provides the clear rationale for the action. The arrival of the "harvest" is the undeniable reason for the sickle's deployment. This signifies that the time for culmination, gathering, or divine assessment has arrived. It underscores the inevitability of the harvest once the growth process is complete, reinforcing the theme of divine timing and the certain consummation of God's purposes.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 4:29, as part of the Parable of the Growing Seed, is rich in **Agricultural Imagery**, drawing on familiar farming practices to convey profound spiritual truths. The entire parable functions as a **Metaphor** for the Kingdom of God, where the seed represents the Word, the growth represents the mysterious work of God, and the fruit and harvest represent the culmination of His work. The "sickle" and "harvest" are powerful **Symbols** of divine judgment, the gathering of God's people, or the ultimate consummation of God's plan. The **Irony** in the parable lies in the farmer's passive role in the growth process ("sleeps and rises, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how"), yet his decisive, immediate action when the harvest is ready. This highlights the distinction between human effort in sowing and God's sovereign work in bringing forth the fruit and orchestrating the final ingathering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 4:29 profoundly illustrates the eschatological certainty of God's Kingdom. It assures believers that despite the often unseen and mysterious nature of its growth, the Kingdom of God is moving inexorably towards its divinely appointed culmination. Just as a farmer trusts the natural process of growth and knows the harvest will inevitably arrive, so too must God's people trust in His sovereign timing for the full manifestation of His purposes, whether in individual spiritual maturity or the final consummation of all things. This verse connects the quiet, internal work of God in the present to the glorious, decisive future.

* [Matthew 13:30](/matthew/13-30 "Matthew 13:30 - Parable of the Weeds: Let both grow together until the harvest")
* [Revelation 14:15](/revelation/14-15 "Revelation 14:15 - The Harvest of the Earth")
* [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Joel 3:13 - Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 4:29 offers both profound comfort and a sober challenge to believers. It provides comfort by reassuring us that the growth of God's Kingdom, both globally and within our own lives, is ultimately God's work. We are called to faithfully sow the seed of the Word and nurture its early growth, but we must trust God's mysterious power and perfect timing to bring forth the fruit to maturity. This encourages patience and perseverance in ministry, knowing that our efforts are part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan that will inevitably culminate in a harvest. The challenge, however, lies in the certainty of that harvest. Just as a farmer assesses the ripeness of the crop, so too will there be a divine assessment of the "fruit" in our lives and in the world. This calls us to live intentionally, striving to bear good spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) that will stand the test of time, knowing that the time for gathering and reckoning will surely come.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry are you struggling to trust God's timing for growth and "harvest"?**
* **How does the "fruit" being "brought forth" by God's power, rather than human effort, impact your understanding of spiritual growth?**
* **What "fruit" do you believe God is calling you to bear in this season of your life, in anticipation of His inevitable harvest?**
* **How does the certainty of the "harvest" (culmination/judgment) motivate you to live a life pleasing to God?**

### FAQ

**Who is "he" who puts in the sickle in Mark 4:29?**

Answer: While the parable uses the imagery of a farmer, in the spiritual interpretation of the Kingdom of God, the "he" who puts in the sickle represents God Himself, or His appointed agents (such as angels or even Christ Himself), who initiate the final, decisive action of harvest. This "harvest" can symbolize the gathering of believers, the culmination of God's redemptive plan, or a time of divine judgment, as seen in various biblical passages. For example, in the [Parable of the Weeds](/matthew/13-36-43 "Matthew 13:36-43 - Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds"), Jesus explicitly identifies the reapers as angels at the end of the age.

**What does the "fruit" represent in this parable?**

Answer: The "fruit" in Mark 4:29 represents the full maturity and development of the sown seed. Spiritually, it can symbolize the spiritual maturity of individuals (the development of Christ-like character and good works), or more broadly, the full manifestation and growth of the Kingdom of God itself, reaching its intended purpose and readiness for culmination. It signifies the desired outcome of the divine process of growth, a yield that is ready to be gathered.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 4:29, with its imagery of a divinely orchestrated harvest, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate Sower of the Word (as seen in the [Parable of the Sower](/mark/4-1-20 "Mark 4:1-20 - The Parable of the Sower and Its Meaning")), and He is also the ultimate Harvester. The "fruit" that is "brought forth" by the mysterious power of God culminates in the establishment and growth of His Kingdom, which is intrinsically tied to Christ's redemptive work. The "harvest" that "is come" points directly to Christ's decisive actions: His first coming inaugurated the Kingdom, and His second coming will bring about its glorious consummation. Passages like [John 4:35](/john/4-35 "John 4:35 - The Fields Are White for Harvest"), where Jesus tells His disciples, "Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest," foreshadow His role as the one who gathers. Ultimately, the imagery of the sickle and harvest in Revelation, particularly [Revelation 14:14-16](/revelation/14-14-16 "Revelation 14:14-16 - The Harvest of the Earth by the Son of Man"), depicts the "Son of Man" (a clear reference to Christ) wielding a sharp sickle to reap the earth's harvest, signifying the final ingathering of the righteous and the judgment of the wicked. Thus, Mark 4:29 anticipates the decisive, culminating work of Christ, who brings God's purposes to their glorious and inevitable completion.

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

Joel 3:13

Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness [is] great.

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Matthew 13:40

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Matthew 13:43

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:

2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Job 5:26

Thou shalt come to [thy] grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.