Mark 4:8

KJV

And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} other {G243} fell {G4098} on {G1519} good {G2570} ground {G1093}, and {G2532} did yield {G1325} fruit {G2590} that sprang up {G305} and {G2532} increased {G837}; and {G2532} brought forth {G5342}, some {G1520} thirty {G5144}, and {G2532} some {G1520} sixty {G1835}, and {G2532} some {G1520} an hundred {G1540}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But other seed fell into rich soil and produced grain; it sprouted, and grew, and yielded a crop -- thirty, sixty, even a hundred times what was sown."

Berean Standard Bible

Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprouted, grew up, and produced a crop—one bearing thirtyfold, another sixtyfold, and another a hundredfold.”

American Standard Version

And others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 4:8 concludes the Parable of the Sower, depicting the ideal outcome when the divine seed of God's Word falls on receptive and prepared hearts. This verse illustrates the transformative power of the Word, which, when genuinely embraced, takes deep root, flourishes, and produces an abundant harvest of spiritual fruit, manifesting in varying but always significant degrees of thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 4:8 is the climactic and hopeful resolution within Jesus' Parable of the Sower (or Soils), recorded in [Mark 4:1-9](/mark/4-1-9 "Mark 4:1-9 - The Parable of the Sower"). Preceding this verse, Jesus describes three unproductive scenarios where the seed (representing the Word of God) falls on the wayside ([Mark 4:4](/mark/4-4 "Mark 4:4 - Seed by the Wayside")), on stony ground ([Mark 4:5-6](/mark/4-5-6 "Mark 4:5-6 - Seed on Stony Ground")), and among thorns ([Mark 4:7](/mark/4-7 "Mark 4:7 - Seed Among Thorns")). Each of these represents a different type of unreceptive or hindered response to the Gospel message. Mark 4:8 then provides the stark contrast, presenting the "good ground" as the desired and fruitful reception, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent explanation of the parable to His disciples in [Mark 4:10-20](/mark/4-10-20 "Mark 4:10-20 - Jesus Explains the Parable").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus delivered this parable to a large crowd by the Sea of Galilee, a region deeply rooted in an agrarian economy. The imagery of a sower, various types of soil, and agricultural yields would have been immediately familiar and relatable to His audience. Palestinian farming practices often involved scattering seed before plowing, which explains the varied outcomes of the seed falling on paths, rocky outcrops, or thorny patches within the field. The yields mentioned—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold—were considered excellent and highly desirable in ancient agriculture, with a hundredfold being exceptionally abundant, underscoring the immense potential for spiritual fruitfulness when the Word is properly received.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 4:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Mark and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Receptivity to the Word**, emphasizing that the effectiveness of God's message is contingent upon the condition of the hearer's heart. The "good ground" symbolizes a heart that is prepared, open, and obedient, allowing the divine seed to flourish. This leads directly to the theme of **Spiritual Fruitfulness**, which is not merely intellectual assent but a life transformed by the Word, manifesting in righteous character, acts of service, and the expansion of God's Kingdom. Jesus elaborates on this in [Mark 4:20](/mark/4-20 "Mark 4:20 - Jesus' Explanation of the Good Ground"), explaining that these are "such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit." Finally, the varying yields of "thirty, sixty, and a hundred" highlight the theme of **Diverse Degrees of Growth and Productivity** among believers. While all genuine "good ground" yields fruit, the quantity or impact of that fruit can differ, yet all true fruitfulness is valuable and celebrated in God's eyes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **good (Greek, _kalós_):** Properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous. This word describes the *quality* of the ground, implying a heart that is not merely suitable but excellent, prepared, and morally upright in its disposition toward God's Word. It suggests a spiritual readiness that allows for deep reception and flourishing.
* **yield (Greek, _dídōmi_):** To give, bestow, bring forth. This verb emphasizes the active and intentional production of fruit. It signifies that the Word, once received and rooted, does not remain dormant but actively *produces* tangible and valuable spiritual outcomes in the life of the believer.
* **increased (Greek, _auxánō_):** To grow, enlarge (literal or figurative, active or passive). This term points to the dynamic and progressive nature of spiritual growth and multiplication. The fruit is not static; it continually develops, expands, and multiplies, reflecting the ongoing transformative power of the Word within a believer's life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And other fell on good ground":** This clause introduces the fourth and most favorable outcome for the sown seed. "Good ground" metaphorically represents a heart that is spiritually prepared, receptive, and fertile, capable of receiving and nurturing the Word of God.
* **"and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased":** This describes the immediate and ongoing vitality of the seed in the receptive heart. The phrase "sprang up" indicates initial germination and growth, while "increased" denotes continuous development, enlargement, and multiplication, signifying genuine spiritual life and progressive maturity.
* **"and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred":** This specifies the abundant, yet varying, degrees of fruitfulness. It illustrates that while all truly receptive hearts will produce spiritual fruit, the quantity or impact of that fruit may differ among individuals, ranging from a significant thirtyfold to an exceptional hundredfold, all of which is valued in God's Kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 4:8, as part of the Parable of the Sower, primarily employs **Metaphor**. The "seed" is a metaphor for the Word of God or the message of the Kingdom, while the "ground" represents the human heart and its varying conditions of receptivity. The "fruit" is a metaphor for the spiritual transformation, righteous living, and Kingdom impact that results from a genuine embrace of the Word. The parable itself is an **Allegory**, where each element (sower, seed, different soils, fruit) corresponds to a specific spiritual reality. The progression from unproductive soils to the "good ground" creates a sense of **Climax**, building anticipation for the ideal response. The mention of "a hundred" fold yield can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary abundance and potential for spiritual return when the Word is fully received and cultivated.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 4:8 underscores a profound theological truth: God's Word is inherently powerful and life-giving, but its effectiveness in an individual's life is directly tied to the condition of the heart that receives it. This verse highlights divine sovereignty in sowing the Word and human responsibility in cultivating a receptive heart. It establishes fruitfulness as the expected outcome of genuine faith, demonstrating that true spiritual life is not merely intellectual assent but a dynamic process of growth and production for God's glory. The varying yields suggest that while all believers are called to bear fruit, the measure of that fruit may differ, yet each expression of faithfulness is valuable.

* [Mark 4:20](/mark/4-20 "Jesus' Explanation of the Good Ground")
* [John 15:8](/john/15-8 "Glorifying God Through Fruitfulness")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "Be Doers of the Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 4:8 serves as both a profound encouragement and a vital challenge for every believer. It encourages us with the assurance that when God's living Word is truly embraced and allowed to permeate our inner being, it possesses an inherent power to transform and produce abundant spiritual fruit. The challenge, however, lies in the cultivation of our own "ground"—our hearts. We are called to actively examine the condition of our receptivity, identifying and addressing any "wayside" hardness, "stony" superficiality, or "thorny" distractions (worries, riches, desires) that might hinder the Word from taking deep root. Practical application involves intentionally creating space for God's Word through consistent reading, meditation, and prayer, actively seeking to understand and obey its teachings, and allowing the Holy Spirit to prune and nourish our lives so that the character of Christ is increasingly formed within us and expressed through us, for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What kind of "ground" does my heart represent when I hear or read God's Word?**
* **What are the specific "thorns" or "stones" in my life that might be hindering the Word from taking deep root and producing fruit?**
* **In what practical ways can I actively cultivate "good ground" in my spiritual walk, ensuring greater receptivity and obedience to God's Word?**
* **How does my life currently demonstrate the "fruit" of God's Word, and what steps can I take to increase my spiritual productivity for God's Kingdom?**

### FAQ

**What does "good ground" symbolize in this parable?**

Answer: The "good ground" symbolizes a heart that is receptive, understanding, and obedient to God's Word. Unlike the other types of soil, this heart is prepared and spiritually fertile, allowing the Word to take deep root, flourish, and produce abundant spiritual fruit. It represents individuals who not only hear the message but genuinely embrace it and live it out.

**What kind of "fruit" is Jesus referring to in this verse?**

Answer: The "fruit" refers to the spiritual transformation and practical outcomes in a believer's life that result from the Word taking root. This includes the development of Christ-like character (often referred to as the [fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")), righteous living, acts of service, sharing the Gospel, and leading others to faith. It is the tangible evidence that God's Word is alive and active within a person, bringing glory to God.

**Why are there different yields (thirty, sixty, a hundredfold)?**

Answer: The varying yields of thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold indicate that while all genuine believers will bear spiritual fruit, the quantity or measure of that fruitfulness can differ. This might be due to individual diligence, varying circumstances, differing levels of spiritual maturity, or God's sovereign working in each life. It emphasizes that every degree of genuine fruitfulness is valued and celebrated in God's eyes, and not everyone will have the same outward impact or level of productivity, yet all are called to produce.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 4:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is both the Sower and the very Word of God sown into the world. As the Sower, He perfectly dispenses the truth of the Kingdom. More profoundly, as the incarnate Word, Jesus Himself is the ultimate "good ground"—the perfect embodiment of a life fully receptive and obedient to the Father's will. His entire earthly ministry, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection, represents the most abundant and perfect fruitfulness, yielding salvation for humanity. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus became the means by which humanity can become "good ground." When we receive Christ, the living Word, through faith, the Holy Spirit indwells us, transforming our hearts from stony or thorny ground into fertile soil. It is through our union with Him, as branches abiding in the True Vine, that we are enabled to bear much fruit, as Jesus Himself declares in [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ for Fruitfulness"). The fruitfulness described in [Mark 4:8](/mark/4-8 "Mark 4:8 - The Fruitful Ground") is ultimately "fruit of righteousness, which is by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God" ([Philippians 1:11](/philippians/1-11 "Philippians 1:11 - Fruit of Righteousness Through Christ")). Thus, the promise of abundant fruit is not merely about human effort but about the transformative power of Christ working in and through those who are truly His.

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

John 15:5

I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Colossians 1:6

Which is come unto you, as [it is] in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as [it doth] also in you, since the day ye heard [of it], and knew the grace of God in truth:

Mark 4:20

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive [it], and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Genesis 26:12

¶ Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

Matthew 13:8

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

1 Peter 2:1

¶ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

1 Peter 2:3

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious.