Mark 4:1-1-20

Mark’s Gospel edits the life of Christ so that we are led to truth along the way. In chapter 3 he shows that following Christ – doing God’s will – is dangerous (but worth it!). Now he relates Jesus’ story about soil. In this parable, Jesus says we’re all like dirt: The question is, What kind are we?

The Parable
Four Kinds of Soil
Soil Type Planted Growing Reason 

The Meaning
The sower and the seed –

Soil #1 – Satan snatches the word away before it is understood

Soil #2 – Word received with joy, but withers under trial

Soil #3 – Word received, but worldly distractions make unfruitful

Soil #4 – Word received, and grows, and bears fruit!


Grace, Growing, and Fruit-bearing

“And other seeds fell into the good soil and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop…”
Jesus, Mark 4:8

For Further Study

1. We’ve all heard of parables, but why did Jesus use them? To get the whole answer, read Matthew 13 10-17, Mark 4:10-12, and Luke 4:9-10. What did the telling of a parable reveal about those who heard it? Who are those “who are outside” (Mark 4:11)? How do parables help us understand Jesus’ message?

2. If you haven’t already, fill in the table on the other side of this paper. What would you call the four different types of soil? Identify in which soils the seed is planted (takes root), and in which it is not. Identify in which soils the seed is growing, and in which it is not. What is the reason for what has happened in each kind of soil?

3. What is the significance in the parable of the soils of a seed taking root? In other words, in the hearer represented by the first soil, what is prevented from occurring by the birds (Satan) coming and eating (taking away) the seed (Word)?

4. The key issue in this parable concerns soils #2 and #3. Almost everyone understands soil #1 represents an unbeliever, and soil #4 represents a believer. What is the common interpretation of the person represented by soils #2 and #3? What is the effect of interpreting these soils as representing unbelievers?

5. Do the experiences described by Jesus in Mark 4:16-19 ever occur in the lives of Christians? To put that another way, is it impossible for a person who believes in Jesus to fall into sin, or become unfruitful? See 2 Peter 1:8; 3:17.

6. What is the goal of this parable? What does Jesus want every soil (person who hears the Word) to produce? So as we strive to lead others to faith in Jesus Christ whereby they receive the free gift of eternal life, what do we further want them to do?

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