Mark 4:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} some {G243} fell {G4098} among {G1519} thorns {G173}, and {G2532} the thorns {G173} grew up {G305}, and {G2532} choked {G4846} it {G846}, and {G2532} it yielded {G1325} no {G3756} fruit {G2590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked it; so that it yielded no grain.

Berean Standard Bible

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings, and they yielded no crop.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 4:7, part of Jesus's profound Parable of the Sower, describes the third type of ground where the sown seed lands: among thorns. This segment vividly illustrates how external pressures and internal desires can hinder spiritual growth, preventing the "word" (the gospel message) from taking root, maturing, and ultimately producing the expected fruit of transformed life and righteous action. It serves as a stark warning about the insidious nature of worldliness and its capacity to suffocate the nascent spiritual life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 4:7 is nestled within Jesus's seminal Parable of the Sower, which begins in [Mark 4:3](/mark/4-3 "Mark 4:3 - The Parable of the Sower Begins") and concludes with its explanation to the disciples in [Mark 4:13-20](/mark/4-13-20 "Mark 4:13-20 - Jesus Explains the Parable of the Sower"). This parable is foundational to understanding Jesus's teaching on the Kingdom of God and the varying responses to His message. Following this, Jesus further elaborates on the purpose of parables and the importance of hearing with understanding, emphasizing that what is hidden will be revealed ([Mark 4:21-25](/mark/4-21-25 "Mark 4:21-25 - The Parable of the Lamp")). The immediate narrative flow establishes Jesus as a master teacher, using common agricultural imagery to convey profound spiritual truths about receptivity to God's Word.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Galilee was an agrarian society where farming was a central part of daily life. The imagery of a sower, seed, and various types of soil would have been immediately understandable to Jesus's audience. Farmers often sowed seed broadly before plowing, or simply scattered it, leading to some falling on paths, rocky ground, or among thorny patches that had not been fully cleared. The "thorns" (ákantha) were common, aggressive weeds that would quickly outcompete cultivated plants for light, water, and nutrients. This agricultural reality provided a tangible metaphor for the spiritual struggles people faced in responding to the message of the Kingdom, where worldly concerns could easily choke out spiritual vitality.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within [Mark's Gospel](/mark/1 "The Gospel According to Mark - An Overview"). Primarily, it highlights the **obstacles to the reception and growth of the Word of God**. While the seed itself is good, the "soil" (the human heart) determines its effectiveness. The "thorns" symbolize the **competing loyalties** and **deceitfulness of worldliness** that can suffocate genuine faith, as Jesus explicitly explains in [Mark 4:19](/mark/4-19 "Mark 4:19 - Jesus Explains the Thorns"). This leads directly to the theme of **fruitfulness** – the expectation that true faith will manifest in tangible, transformative results. The absence of fruit in this scenario underscores the danger of a faith that is present but ultimately unproductive, failing to yield the spiritual harvest God desires.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **thorns (Greek, _ákantha'_):** This word refers to a thorny plant or briar. In the context of the parable, these are not merely harmless weeds but aggressive, invasive plants that compete directly with the good seed for vital resources like moisture, nutrients, and sunlight. They represent anything that hinders the growth of God's Word in a person's life, as Jesus later specifies in [Mark 4:19](/mark/4-19 "Mark 4:19 - The Deceitfulness of Riches and Cares").
* **choked (Greek, _sympnígō'_):** Derived from `sýn` (with, together) and `pnígō` (to choke, strangle), this verb vividly describes the action of the thorns. It means "to strangle completely," "to suffocate," or "to crowd together so as to stifle." This implies a gradual, insidious process where the thorns do not immediately destroy the seed but slowly overpower it, preventing it from thriving or breathing, leading to its eventual demise or stunted growth.
* **yielded (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** While `dídōmi` broadly means "to give" or "to grant," in this agricultural context, it signifies "to bring forth" or "to produce." The negative particle "no" (G3756, `ou`) preceding it emphasizes the complete absence of fruit. The seed, despite initially sprouting, failed entirely in its purpose of production, highlighting the ultimate failure of the "thorny" soil to bear a spiritual harvest.
* **fruit (Greek, _karpós'_):** Literally referring to the produce of the ground, `karpós` is used metaphorically throughout the New Testament to denote the spiritual results or evidence of a transformed life. This includes righteous actions, character qualities (like the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")), or the conversion of others. The lack of `karpós` here signifies a spiritual barrenness, a failure to manifest the expected outcomes of a life where God's Word has taken root.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And some fell among thorns":** This clause introduces the third category of soil, immediately signaling a challenging environment for the seed. The "thorns" represent pre-existing or encroaching worldly concerns, anxieties, and desires that are already present in the heart or quickly emerge to compete with the Word of God.
* **"and the thorns grew up":** This indicates an active, dynamic process. The thorns are not static; they are growing, implying that worldly distractions and desires are not dormant but are constantly developing and expanding their influence. This growth is often subtle and insidious, gradually overwhelming the good seed.
* **"and choked it":** This is the critical action. The thorns, by growing, "strangle" or "suffocate" the seed. This metaphor powerfully conveys how the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life (as explained by Jesus in [Mark 4:19](/mark/4-19 "Mark 4:19 - The Meaning of the Thorns")) compete for the vital resources of attention, time, and devotion, ultimately stifling the spiritual life of the individual.
* **"and it yielded no fruit.":** This is the tragic outcome. Despite the initial reception and perhaps even some growth (implied by the need for choking), the seed ultimately fails to produce anything of spiritual value. This emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the Word, but allowing it to mature and bear the expected spiritual harvest, which is the ultimate purpose of the seed.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 4:7, as part of the Parable of the Sower, primarily employs **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. The "seed" is a **metaphor** for the Word of God, and the "soil" represents the human heart or the various ways people receive and respond to that Word. Specifically, the "thorns" are a potent **symbol** for the "cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things" ([Mark 4:19](/mark/4-19 "Mark 4:19 - The Explanation of the Thorns")). The action of the thorns "choking" the seed uses **personification**, attributing a human-like, aggressive action (strangling, suffocating) to inanimate plants, vividly illustrating the destructive power of these worldly distractions. This **allegory** (a story with a hidden meaning) serves as a powerful teaching tool, making abstract spiritual truths tangible and memorable through relatable agricultural imagery.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 4:7 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of spiritual receptivity and the persistent battle for the human heart. It underscores that merely hearing the Word of God is insufficient; its efficacy depends on the condition of the "soil"—the heart's readiness to receive, nurture, and prioritize it. The thorns represent the pervasive spiritual dangers of divided loyalties, where the allure of temporal concerns, material wealth, and worldly desires compete with and ultimately suffocate the life-giving power of God's truth. This passage highlights God's expectation of fruitfulness from those who receive His Word, implying that true faith is not passive but active and transformative, producing tangible evidence of its presence. The absence of fruit is not merely a lack of production but a sign of spiritual stagnation and ultimate failure to fulfill the divine purpose.

* [Matthew 13:22](/matthew/13-22 "Matthew 13:22 - The Thorny Ground")
* [Luke 8:14](/luke/8-14 "Luke 8:14 - The Seed Among Thorns")
* [John 15:5-6](/john/15-5-6 "John 15:5-6 - Abiding in Christ and Bearing Fruit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 4:7 confronts us with a deeply personal and convicting question: What "thorns" are present in the soil of our own hearts, silently or overtly choking the Word of God and hindering our spiritual fruitfulness? This verse calls for a radical self-examination, urging us to identify the "cares of this world" (anxieties, daily demands, endless distractions), the "deceitfulness of riches" (the pursuit of wealth or security apart from God), and the "lusts of other things" (any strong desires that pull us away from Christ). These thorns often grow subtly, not with immediate violence, but with a gradual, suffocating embrace that drains our spiritual vitality and diverts our focus from eternal priorities. To bear fruit, we must actively cultivate our hearts, intentionally removing these competing desires and creating an environment where the Word can take deep root, flourish, and produce the abundant harvest God intends. This requires vigilance, repentance, and a steadfast commitment to prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "cares of this world" or "lusts of other things" do I recognize as actively competing for my attention and devotion, potentially stifling my spiritual growth?**
* **In what ways might the "deceitfulness of riches" subtly influence my priorities or lead me away from a full reliance on God?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to "prune" the thorns in my life, creating more space and nourishment for the Word of God to flourish?**

### FAQ
**What exactly do the "thorns" represent in this parable?**

Answer: In [Mark 4:19](/mark/4-19 "Mark 4:19 - Jesus' Explanation of the Thorns"), Jesus Himself explains that the thorns represent "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things." These are not inherently evil things in themselves (except for "lusts," which are disordered desires), but they become thorns when they compete for our primary devotion and attention, ultimately suffocating the Word of God and preventing it from bearing fruit in our lives. They are the distractions and worldly concerns that choke out spiritual vitality.

**Does the seed that fell among thorns represent someone who was never truly saved?**

Answer: The Parable of the Sower describes different responses to the Word of God. While the seed on the path and rocky ground clearly represents those who do not truly receive or retain the Word, the seed among thorns suggests an initial reception and even some growth ("grew up"). However, the ultimate outcome is "no fruit," indicating a failure to mature spiritually and produce the expected evidence of a transformed life. This scenario often points to a superficial or uncommitted faith, where worldly priorities ultimately prove stronger than the commitment to Christ, leading to spiritual barrenness rather than genuine, abiding salvation that yields fruit. It serves as a warning against a faith that is choked by the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Mark 4:7 highlights the tragic consequence of the Word being choked by worldly concerns, the New Testament consistently points to Christ as the ultimate solution and the source of true fruitfulness. Jesus, the [true vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine"), teaches that believers can only bear much fruit by [abiding in Him](/john/15-4 "John 15:4 - Abide in Me"). He is the one who provides the spiritual nourishment and life-giving power necessary to overcome the choking effects of the "thorns." Through His atoning work, believers are given a new heart, capable of receiving and cherishing the Word, empowered by the indwelling [Holy Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit") who produces fruit like love, joy, peace, and self-control. The struggle against worldly cares and desires is real, but Christ offers liberation from their dominion, enabling His followers to live lives that genuinely [yield fruit for God](/romans/7-4 "Romans 7:4 - Bearing Fruit for God") rather than being consumed by the temporary and unfruitful pursuits of this world. He is the one who clears the ground of our hearts, making them fertile for His Word.

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

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.

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.

1 John 2:15

Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:16

For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Genesis 3:17

¶ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed [is] the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat [of] it all the days of thy life;

Genesis 3:18

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

Mark 4:18

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