MARK 4:1 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And again, he began to teach beside the sea, and the largest crowd is gathered to him. As a result, having gotten into a boat, he sat down on the sea, and the whole crowd was on the land beside the sea.

UST Sometime later, Jesus again started to instruct people while he was next to the Sea of Galilee. A very large group of people assembled to hear him. Because there were so many people, he got into a boat on the sea and sat down to teach. All the people stood on the shore, by the water.

BSB [Once] again [Jesus] began to teach beside the sea, and [such] a large crowd gathered around Him that He got into a boat [and] sat in [it], while all the people crowded along the shore.

MSB [Once] again [Jesus] began to teach beside the sea, and [such] a large crowd gathered around Him that He got into the boat[fn] [and] sat in [it], while all the people crowded along the shore.

BLB And again He began to teach beside the sea. And a great crowd was gathered together to Him, so that He, having entered into a boat, sat in the sea, and all the crowd was on the land, close to the sea.

AICNT And again he began to teach by the sea; and a very large crowd gathered around him, so that he got into a boat and sat in the sea, and all the crowd was by the sea on the land.

OEB ¶ Jesus again began to teach by the sea; and, as an immense crowd was gathering round him, he got into a boat, and sat in it on the sea, while all the people were on the shore at the water’s edge.

WEBBE Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea and sat down. All the multitude were on the land by the sea.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Again he began to teach by the lake. Such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there while the whole crowd was on the shore by the lake.

LSV And again He began to teach by the sea, and there was gathered to Him a great multitude, so that He, having gone into the boat, sat in the sea, and all the multitude was near the sea, on the land,

FBV Jesus began teaching beside the Sea again. So many people came to listen to him that he climbed into a boat and sat in it on the water while the crowd listened from the shore.

TCNT Once again Jesus began to teach by the sea, and a [fn]large crowd was gathered around him. So he got into [fn]the boat and sat in it on the sea, while the entire crowd was beside the sea on the shore.

4:1 large ¦ very large CT

4:1 the ¦ a CT

T4T Another time Jesus began to teach people alongside Lake Galilee. As he was doing that, a very large crowd gathered around him. Because people were jostling him, he got into a boat in the lake so that he could speak to the crowd better. Then he sat in it and began to teach the crowd from the boat. At the same time, the crowd was on the shore close to the lake.

LEB And again he began to teach beside the sea,[fn] and a very large crowd was gathered to him, so that he got into a boat and[fn] sat on the sea, and the whole crowd was at the sea on the land.

4:1 That is, the Sea of Galilee

4:1 *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got”) has been translated as a finite verb

BBE And again he was teaching by the seaside. And a very great number of people had come to him, so that he got into a boat on the sea and took his seat; and all the people were on the land by the seaside.

Moff Once more he proceeded to teach by the seaside, and a crowd gathered round him greater than ever, so he entered a boat on the sea and sat down, while all the crowd stayed on shore.

Wymth Once more He began to teach by the side of the Lake, and a vast multitude of people came together to listen to Him. He therefore went on board the boat and sat there, a little way from the land; and all the people were on the shore close to the water.

ASV And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there is gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land.

DRA And again he began to teach by the sea side; and a great multitude was gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a ship, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude was upon the land by the sea side.

YLT And again he began to teach by the sea, and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he, having gone into the boat, sat in the sea, and all the multitude was near the sea, on the land,

Drby And again he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered together to him, so that going on board ship he sat in the sea, and all the crowd were close to the sea on the land.

RV And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there is gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land.
(And again he began to teach by the seaside. And there is gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land. )

SLT And again he began to teach by the sea: and a great crowd was gathered together to him, so that he, having gone into the ship, sat in the sea; and all the crowd was by the sea upon land.

Wbstr And he began again to teach by the sea-side: and there was gathered to him a great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat on the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea, on the land.

KJB-1769 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
(And he began again to teach by the seaside: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. )

KJB-1611 ¶ And he beganne againe to teach by the Sea side: and there was gathered vnto him a great multitude, so that he entred into a ship, and sate in the Sea: and the whole multitude was by the Sea on the land.
(¶ And he began again to teach by the Sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the Sea: and the whole multitude was by the Sea on the land.)

Bshps And he began agayne to teache by the sea syde: And ther gathered vnto hym much people, so greatly, that he entred into a shippe, and sate in the sea: and all the people was by the sea syde on the shore:
(And he began again to teach by the seaside: And there gathered unto him much people, so greatly, that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea: and all the people was by the seaside on the shore:)

Gnva And hee began againe to teache by the sea side, and there gathered vnto him a great multitude, so that hee entred into a shippe, and sate in the sea, and all the people was by the sea side on the land.
(And he began again to teach by the seaside, and there gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea, and all the people was by the seaside on the land. )

Cvdl And he begane agayne to teach by ye seeside. And there gathered moch people vnto him, so that he wente in to a shippe, and sat vpon the water. And all the people stode vpon the londe by the see syde.
(And he began again to teach by ye/you_all seaside. And there gathered much people unto him, so that he went in to a ship, and sat upon the water. And all the people stood upon the land by the seaside.)

TNT And he began agayne to teache by the seesyde. And there gadered to gedder vnto him moche people so greatly that he entred into a ship and sate in the see and all the people was by the seeside on the shoore.
(And he began again to teach by the seaside. And there gathered together unto him much people so greatly that he entered into a ship and sat in the sea and all the people was by the seaside on the shore. )

Wycl And eft Jhesus bigan to teche at the see; and myche puple was gaderid to hym, so that he wente in to a boot, and sat in the see, and al the puple was aboute the see on the loond.
(And after Yhesus began to teach at the see; and much people was gathered to him, so that he went in to a boot, and sat in the sea, and all the people was about the sea on the land.)

Luth Und er fing abermal an zu lehren am Meer. Und es versammelte sich viel Volks zu ihm, also daß er mußte in ein Schiff treten und auf dem Wasser sitzen. Und alles Volk stund auf dem Lande am Meer.
(And he caught again at/to to/for teach in/at/on_the sea. And it assembled itself/yourself/themselves many peoples to/for him, also that he had_to in a ship step(v) and on/in/to to_him water sit. And all/everything people stood on/in/to to_him land in/at/on_the sea.)

ClVg Et iterum cœpit docere ad mare: et congregata est ad eum turba multa, ita ut navim ascendens sederet in mari, et omnis turba circa mare super terram erat:[fn]
(And again he_began to_teach to the_sea: and gathered it_is to him crowd fine, so/thus as ship ascending sit_down in/into/on of_the_sea, and everyone crowd around/about the_sea over the_earth/land was: )

4.1 Et iterum cœpit docere. BEDA. Exiens de domo ubi dæmonium habere dicitur, docet ad mare, ut ostenderet se ob perfidiæ culpam Judæam relicturum et ad gentes transiturum. Unde apte præmittitur, quia prædicante eo in domo, mater et fratres foris steterunt. HIER. Cœpit docere ad mare, ut locus indicet auditores amaros et instabiles. Et ideo, etc., usque ad qui amara dulcificat, tristia convertit in gaudium, ægritudinem in salutem. Navim ascendens, etc. BEDA. Ecclesiam, quæ est in mari inter infideles, quam Deus gratia suæ visitationis illustrat et dilectam sibi mansionem consecrat. Et omnis turba circa mare. HIER. Hi sunt qui nuper ad audiendum verbum venerunt, et inde pietate animi, ab amaritudine reproborum tamquam a mari secuti sunt: sed nondum cum Domino in navi sunt, quia nondum cœlestibus mysteriis vel sacramentis quæ desiderant imbuti sunt.

4.1 And again he_began to_teach. BEDA. Going_out from/about at_home where demon to_have it_is_said, teaches to the_sea, as would_show himself because treachery guilt Yudeam about_to_leave and to people/nations transiturum. From_where/who apte precedesur, because preaching by_him in/into/on at_home, mother and brothers outside they_stood. HIER. It_began to_teach to the_sea, as place indicate listeners amaros and instabiles. And therefore/for_that_reason, etc., until to who/which bitter dulcificat, sadness he_turned in/into/on joy, ægritudinem in/into/on health. Navim ascending, etc. BEDA. assembly/church, which it_is in/into/on of_the_sea between infidels, how God grace his/her_own visitation illustrates and beloved to_himself residencem consecrates. And everyone crowd around/about the_sea. HIER. They are who/which recently/lately to to_be_heard the_word/saying they_came, and therefore/from_there with_piety of_the_soul, away with_bitterness of_the_reprobate as_if from of_the_sea followed are: but not_yet when/with Master in/into/on by_ship are, because not_yet heavenly mysteries or sacraments which they_desire imbuti are.

UGNT καὶ πάλιν ἤρξατο διδάσκειν παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν. καὶ συνάγεται πρὸς αὐτὸν ὄχλος πλεῖστος, ὥστε αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ἐμβάντα, καθῆσθαι ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος πρὸς τὴν θάλασσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἦσαν.
(kai palin aʸrxato didaskein para taʸn thalassan. kai sunagetai pros auton oⱪlos pleistos, hōste auton eis to ploion embanta, kathaʸsthai en taʸ thalassaʸ, kai pas ho oⱪlos pros taʸn thalassan epi taʸs gaʸs aʸsan.)

SBL-GNT Καὶ πάλιν ἤρξατο διδάσκειν παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν. καὶ ⸀συνάγεται πρὸς αὐτὸν ὄχλος ⸀πλεῖστος, ὥστε αὐτὸν ⸂εἰς πλοῖον ἐμβάντα⸃ καθῆσθαι ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος πρὸς τὴν θάλασσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ⸀ἦσαν.
(Kai palin aʸrxato didaskein para taʸn thalassan. kai ⸀sunagetai pros auton oⱪlos ⸀pleistos, hōste auton ⸂eis ploion embanta⸃ kathaʸsthai en taʸ thalassaʸ, kai pas ho oⱪlos pros taʸn thalassan epi taʸs gaʸs ⸀aʸsan.)

RP-GNT Καὶ πάλιν ἤρξατο διδάσκειν παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν. Καὶ συνήχθη πρὸς αὐτὸν ὄχλος πολύς, ὥστε αὐτὸν ἐμβάντα εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καθῆσθαι ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ· καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος πρὸς τὴν θάλασσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἦν.
(Kai palin aʸrxato didaskein para taʸn thalassan. Kai sunaʸⱪthaʸ pros auton oⱪlos polus, hōste auton embanta eis to ploion kathaʸsthai en taʸ thalassaʸ; kai pas ho oⱪlos pros taʸn thalassan epi taʸs gaʸs aʸn.)

TC-GNT Καὶ πάλιν ἤρξατο διδάσκειν παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν. Καὶ [fn]συνήχθη πρὸς αὐτὸν ὄχλος [fn]πολύς, ὥστε αὐτὸν [fn]ἐμβάντα εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καθῆσθαι ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ· καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος πρὸς τὴν θάλασσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς [fn]ἦν.
(Kai palin aʸrxato didaskein para taʸn thalassan. Kai sunaʸⱪthaʸ pros auton oⱪlos polus, hōste auton embanta eis to ploion kathaʸsthai en taʸ thalassaʸ; kai pas ho oⱪlos pros taʸn thalassan epi taʸs gaʸs aʸn. )

4:1 συνηχθη ¦ συναγεται CT

4:1 πολυς ¦ πλειστος CT

4:1 εμβαντα εις το πλοιον ¦ εις πλοιον εμβαντα CT

4:1 ην ¦ ησαν ANT CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–9: Jesus told a parable about four types of soil

Jesus told a parable about a man who scattered seed in different kinds of soil. The different kinds of soil represent different kinds of people. The seeds thrown by the man represent God’s word. Different kinds of people receive God’s word in different ways.

Satan causes some people to forget God’s Word so they do not accept it. These people are represented by the soil along the path (4:4). Some people accept God’s Word but when troubles or persecution happen to them, they quickly reject God’s Word. These people are represented by the rocky soil (4:5–6). Some people accept God’s Word but worries about daily living cause them to not do anything for God. These people are represented by the soil with thorns (4:7). Some people accept God’s Word and do deeds that honor God. These people are represented by the good soil (4:8).

It is good to translate the section before you decide on a heading for it. Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The parable about four kinds of soil

The parable of the sower and the soils

The four soils parable/story/illustration

A parable of a man scattering seed

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 13:1–9 and Luke 8:4–8.

4:1a

Once again Jesus began to teach beside the sea,

¶ Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. (NLT)
¶ Another time Jesus went to the lake of Galilee and began to teach the people.

Once again: The phrase Once again indicates that this occasion was another time that Jesus taught by the lake. Previous occasions are mentioned in 2:13 and 3:7–12. The events in this section may have taken place later on the same day as the events in 3:7–12. Use whatever is most natural in your language to indicate that Jesus had taught by the lake before. For example:

Again (NIV)

Another time

Then once again (JBP)

Jesus began to teach: In some languages it may be more natural to supply an object for the verb teach. In other words, it may be more natural to say whom Jesus taught or what Jesus taught. For example:

Jesus began to teach the people

Jesus began to teach the good news

In some languages it may be natural to supply both whom Jesus taught and what he taught. For example:

Jesus began to teach the good news to the people

beside the sea: Jesus taught the people beside or “by” the sea. In some languages, it will be more natural to indicate that Jesus taught on the land or shore beside the lake. For example:

by the lakeshore (NLT)

by the lakeside (REB)

the sea: The phrase the sea here refers specifically to the Lake of Galilee. If people in your area refer to lakes by their names, you may want to include the name. For example, the GNT says:

Lake Galilee (GNT)

sea: Here, sea refers to a large body of water that is smaller than an ocean but wider than a river. For example, the NIV translates this word as “lake.” This body of water contains fresh water rather than salt water.

If you do not have a word for lake, here are some other ways to translate it:

body of water

wide pond/river

See how you translated this word in 1:16a.

General Comment on 4:1a

The context implies that Jesus left the house (3:20) and went to the sea. It may be more natural in your language to include a verb of motion. For example:

Again Jesus went to the sea and began to teach.

4:1b

and such a large crowd gathered around Him

A very large crowd gathered around him.
Many people crowded around Jesus.

4:1c

that He got into a boat

That is the reason why he went/climbed into a boat
Therefore/So he entered a boat

4:1b–c

In Greek, 4:1b begins with the conjunction that is usually translated “and” (as in the BSB). You should connect 4:1a and 4:1b in the way that is natural in your language.

such a large crowd gathered around Him that He got into a boat: 4:1b gives the reason for 4:1c.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

^1bThe crowd that gathered around him was very large, ^1cthat is the reason why he got into a boat.

^1bThe crowd that gathered around him was very large, ^1cso he got into a boat.

^1cJesus got into a boat ^1bbecause of the large crowd that gathered around him.

crowd: The word crowd refers to a large group of people.

He got into a boat: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as got is a specific verb for entering a boat.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

he entered a boat

he descended into a boat

he stepped/climbed into a boat

You should use whichever verb is appropriate in your language for entering a boat.

As in 3:9, Jesus probably got into a boat so that the crowd of people would not crush him.

boat: This boat was probably a wooden boat used for fishing. It was probably big enough for several people to sit inside.

If you do not have a word for boatin your language, some ways to translate it are:

Use a phrase that describes the function of a boat. For example:
a vehicle for crossing water
something for carrying people on top of water
Use the word for a specific kind of boat in your culture. For example:
canoe

The same word also occurs in 1:19c.

4:1d

and sat in it,

and sat down in it and went out on the lake.
and sat down in it to teach. The boat was a short distance out in the lake,

sat in it: The pronoun it refers to the boat. Jesus sat in the boat upon one of the wooden boards/seats laid across it from side to side. In this context, your language may use a different word than in. For example:

sat to teach upon the boat

in it: The phrase in it indicates that the boat was in the water while Jesus was sitting in it. Jesus probably got into the boat while it was on land. Then some men pushed the boat into the water a short distance from the shore.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

in it and went out on the lake

in the boat and asked some men to move the boat out into the water

in it. The boat was out on the lake

General Comment on 4:1c–d

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine 4:1c and 4:1d as follows:

he got into and sat down in a boat

4:1e

while all the people crowded along the shore.

As for the whole crowd, they remained on the shore close to the water.
while all the people were standing at the edge of the lake to listen.

all the people crowded: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as all the people is literally “all the crowd.” This phrase refers to the same crowd as in 4:1b. The verb that the BSB translates as crowded is literally “was.” It is general in meaning and does not indicate whether the people stood or sat. They probably stood (see Matthew 13:2). The GNT says:

the crowd stood

The implied purpose for the people crowding along the shore was to listen to Jesus. It may be more natural in your language to include the purpose here. For example:

the crowd stood to listen

along the shore: The Greek text that the BSB translates as along the shore is literally “at the sea on the land.” These two phrases indicate that the crowd was near the shore but not in the water. For example, the NCV has:

on the shore close to the water

In some languages, one phrase may be sufficient to express the proper meaning. For example:

along the shore (NLT96)

on the shore (CEV)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-newevent

καὶ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί πάλιν ἤρξατο διδάσκειν παρά τήν θάλασσαν Καί συνάγεται πρός αὐτόν ὄχλος πλεῖστος ὥστε αὐτόν εἰς τό πλοῖον ἐμβάντα καθῆσθαι ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ καί πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος πρός τήν θάλασσαν ἐπί τῆς γῆς ἦσαν)

Here, the word And introduces the next major event in the story. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces the next event, or you could leave And untranslated. Alternate translation: [After that,] or [One day,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

ὄχλος πλεῖστος

˓a˒_crowd very_great

Mark says the largest crowd here as an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: [a huge crowd] or [an enormous crowd]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

συνάγεται πρὸς αὐτὸν

˓is_being˒_gathered_together (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί πάλιν ἤρξατο διδάσκειν παρά τήν θάλασσαν Καί συνάγεται πρός αὐτόν ὄχλος πλεῖστος ὥστε αὐτόν εἰς τό πλοῖον ἐμβάντα καθῆσθαι ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ καί πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος πρός τήν θάλασσαν ἐπί τῆς γῆς ἦσαν)

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [gathered to him] or [came to listen to him]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

καθῆσθαι ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ

˓to_be˒_sitting in the sea

In Jesus’ culture, teachers usually sat down when they were going to teach. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [sat down on the sea to instruct them] or [sat down on the sea as a teacher does]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ

in the sea

Here Mark means that Jesus sat down in the boat, which was floating on the sea. Jesus did not sit directly on top of the water. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [in the boat as it was on the sea] or [in it]

πρὸς τὴν θάλασσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς

Alternate translation: [on the shore]

Parallel MARK 4:1

Section 4:1–9: Jesus told a parable about four types of soil

4:1a

General Comment on 4:1a

4:1b

4:1c

4:1b–c

4:1d

General Comment on 4:1c–d

4:1e