But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
But {G1161} when {G393} the sun {G2246} was up {G393}, it was scorched {G2739}; and {G2532} because {G1223} it had {G2192} no {G3361} root {G4491}, it withered away {G3583}.
but when the sun rose, the young plants were scorched; and since their roots were not deep, they dried up.
But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
and when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
-
James 1:11
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. -
Colossians 2:7
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. -
Psalms 1:3
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. -
Psalms 1:4
¶ The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away. -
Ephesians 3:17
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, -
Jonah 4:8
And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, [It is] better for me to die than to live. -
Jeremiah 17:5
¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Mark 4:6 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' Parable of the Sower, illustrating the fate of seeds sown on stony ground. This parable, central to understanding responses to the Gospel, depicts different kinds of soil representing various conditions of the human heart.
Context
This verse describes the second type of soil in the parable. Jesus was teaching crowds by the Sea of Galilee, using agricultural imagery familiar to His audience. The "stony ground" refers to areas where a thin layer of topsoil covered bedrock, common in parts of ancient Israel. Seeds sown here would sprout quickly due to the shallow warmth, but the underlying rock prevented roots from penetrating deeply. When the scorching Mediterranean sun beat down, these plants, lacking a substantial root system for moisture and stability, quickly withered.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "scorched" is ekaumatisthe (ἐκαυματίσθη), meaning "to be burned" or "to be heated intensely." This vividly portrays the destructive power of the sun on the shallow-rooted plant. The phrase "had no root" (ῥίζαν οὐκ εἶχεν - rhizan ouk eichen) directly highlights the absence of a vital anchoring system, underscoring the spiritual truth that a lack of foundational depth leads to collapse under pressure.
Practical Application
Mark 4:6 serves as a powerful warning and self-examination for believers. It challenges us to consider the quality of our own faith. Is our faith merely superficial, easily swayed by circumstances, or is it deeply rooted in a genuine relationship with God and a firm understanding of His Word? True spiritual growth requires allowing the Word to penetrate deeply into our lives, enabling us to be rooted and grounded. This verse encourages us to cultivate resilience and endurance, knowing that trials will come, but a deep faith can withstand them. As James 1:3 reminds us, the testing of our faith produces perseverance, but only if that faith has depth.