MARK 4:15 Parallel Verse View

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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.
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 Now these are the ones beside the road, where the word is being sown, but whenever they have heard it, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

UST Some people are like the seeds that fell on the path. They hear the good news. However, as soon as they hear it, Satan comes and makes them forget the message that they heard.

BSB [Some] are like the [seeds][fn] along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear [it], Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

4:15 Or the word; similarly in verses 16, 18, and 20; literally Now these are the ones

MSB [Some] are like the [seeds][fn] along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear [it], Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.[fn]

4:15 Or the word; similarly in verses 16, 18, and 20; literally Now these are the ones

4:15 CT sown in them

BLB And these are those along the road, where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word having been sown in them.

AICNT These are the ones by the road; where the word is sown and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was {sown in them}.[fn]

4:15, sown in them: Some manuscripts read “sown in their hearts.”

OEB The people meant by the seed that falls along the path are these – where the message is sown, but, as soon as they have heard it, Satan immediately comes and carries away the message that has been sown in them.

WEBBE The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: Whenever they hear, immediately Satan comes and snatches the word that was sown in them.

LSV and these are they by the way where the word is sown: and whenever they may hear, Satan immediately comes, and he takes away the word that has been sown in their hearts.

FBV The seeds on the path where the word is sown illustrate those who hear the message, but then Satan immediately comes along and takes away the word that's been sown in them.

TCNT Now some people are like the seed along the path, where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in [fn]their hearts.

4:15 their hearts ¦ them CT

T4T Some people are like the path on which some of the seeds fell. When they hear the message, Satan comes at once and causes them to forget what they have heard.

LEB And these are the ones beside the path where the word is sown, and whenever they hear it,[fn] immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

4:15 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

BBE And these are they by the wayside, where the word is planted; and when they have given ear, the Evil One comes straight away and takes away the word which has been planted in them.

Moff As for those on the road,' when the seed is sown there — as soon as they hear it, Satan at once comes and carries off the word sown within them.

Wymth Those who receive the seed by the way-side are those in whom the Message is sown, but, when they have heard it, Satan comes at once and carries away the Message sown in them.

ASV And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them.

DRA And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown, and as soon as they have heard, immediately Satan cometh and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

YLT and these are they by the way where the word is sown: and whenever they may hear, immediately cometh the Adversary, and he taketh away the word that hath been sown in their hearts.

Drby and these are they by the wayside where the word is sown, and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

RV And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them.
(And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh/comes Satan, and taketh/takes away the word which hath/has been sown in them. )

SLT And these are they by the way, where the word is sown; and when they hear, quickly comes Satan, and takes away the word sown in their hearts.

Wbstr And these are they by the way-side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

KJB-1769 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
( And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh/comes immediately, and taketh/takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. )

KJB-1611 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sowen, but when they haue heard, Satan commeth immediately, and taketh away the word that was sowen in their hearts.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps And they that receaued seede by the way side, are those where the worde is sowe: but when they haue hearde, Satan cometh immediatly, and taketh away the word that was sowen in their heartes.
(And they that received seed by the way side, are those where the word is sow: but when they have heard, Satan cometh/comes immediately, and taketh/takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.)

Gnva And these are they that receiue the seede by the wayes side, in whome the worde is sowen: but when they haue heard it, Satan commeth immediatly, and taketh away the worde that was sowen in their heartes.
(And these are they that receive the seed by the ways side, in whom the word is sown: but when they have heard it, Satan cometh/comes immediately, and taketh/takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. )

Cvdl These be they that are by the waye syde: where the worde is sowne, and as soone as they haue herde it, immediatly commeth Satha, and taketh awaye the worde that was sowen in their hertes.
(These be they that are by the way side: where the word is sown, and as soon as they have heard it, immediately cometh/comes Satan, and taketh/takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.)

TNT And they that are by the wayes syde where the worde is sowen are they to whom assone as they have herde it Satha cometh immediatly and takith awaye the worde that was sowe in their hertes.
(And they that are by the ways side where the word is sown are they to whom as soon as they have herd/heard it Satan cometh/comes immediately and taketh/takes away the word that was sow in their hearts. )

Wycl But these it ben that ben aboute the weie, where the word is sowun; and whanne thei han herd, anoon cometh Satanas, and takith awei the word that is sowun in her hertis.
(But these it been that been about the way, where the word is sowun; and when they have herd, anon/immediately cometh/comes Satan, and taketh/takes away the word that is sown in her hearts.)

Luth Diese sind‘s aber, die an dem Wege sind, wo das Wort gesäet wird, und sie es gehöret haben; so kommt alsbald der Satan und nimmt weg das Wort, das in ihr Herz gesäet war.
(This/These are but, the at/to to_him ways are, where the word sown becomes, and they/she/them it belongs/pertains have; so comes soon the/of_the Satan and takes away/gone the word, the in you(pl)/their/her heart sown was.)

ClVg Hi autem sunt, qui circa viam, ubi seminatur verbum, et cum audierint, confestim venit Satanas, et aufert verbum, quod seminatum est in cordibus eorum.[fn]
(They however are, who/which around/about way/road, where is_sown the_word/saying, and when/with they_heard, immediately he_came Satan, and takes_away the_word/saying, that sown it_is in/into/on hearts their. )

4.15 Hi autem, etc. Differentias ponit eorum qui audiunt verbum. Sunt autem quidam, ut gentiles, qui nec audiunt.

4.15 They however, etc. Differences puts their who/which they_hear the_word/saying. They_are however some, as Gentiles, who/which but_not they_hear.

UGNT οὗτοι δέ εἰσιν οἱ παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν; ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν, εὐθὺς ἔρχεται ὁ Σατανᾶς, καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον τὸν ἐσπαρμένον εἰς αὐτούς.
(houtoi de eisin hoi para taʸn hodon; hopou speiretai ho logos, kai hotan akousōsin, euthus erⱪetai ho Satanas, kai airei ton logon ton esparmenon eis autous.)

SBL-GNT οὗτοι δέ εἰσιν οἱ παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν ⸀εὐθὺς ἔρχεται ὁ Σατανᾶς καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον τὸν ἐσπαρμένον ⸂εἰς αὐτούς⸃.
(houtoi de eisin hoi para taʸn hodon hopou speiretai ho logos, kai hotan akousōsin ⸀euthus erⱪetai ho Satanas kai airei ton logon ton esparmenon ⸂eis autous⸃.)

RP-GNT Οὗτοι δέ εἰσιν οἱ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν, εὐθέως ἔρχεται ὁ Σατανᾶς καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον τὸν ἐσπαρμένον ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν.
(Houtoi de eisin hoi para taʸn hodon, hopou speiretai ho logos, kai hotan akousōsin, eutheōs erⱪetai ho Satanas kai airei ton logon ton esparmenon en tais kardiais autōn.)

TC-GNT Οὗτοι δέ εἰσιν οἱ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν, [fn]εὐθέως ἔρχεται ὁ Σατανᾶς καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον τὸν ἐσπαρμένον [fn]ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν.
(Houtoi de eisin hoi para taʸn hodon, hopou speiretai ho logos, kai hotan akousōsin, eutheōs erⱪetai ho Satanas kai airei ton logon ton esparmenon en tais kardiais autōn. )

4:15 ευθεως ¦ ευθυς ANT CT

4:15 εν ταις καρδιαις αυτων ¦ εις αυτους NA SBL WH ¦ εν αυτοις ECM TH

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:13–20: Jesus explained the parable about four types of soil

In this section, Jesus talked about the meaning of the parable that he had just told. The basic meaning of Jesus’ explanation is clear. However, there are questions about the meaning of the seed in this section. In 4:14, the seed refers to the word. In 4:15–20, what is sown seems to refer to the people who hear the word. This has led to several interpretations for the seed in 4:15–20.

The interpretation that the Notes follows is that in 4:15–20 the seed continues to represent the word. The introductory expressions such as “these/others…are the ones sown” (RSV) refer to what happens when the word falls into different types of soil. It represents what happens when different types of people hear the word. For example, the REB says:

With some the seed falls along the footpath

Many scholars support this interpretation in their commentaries. In some versions the seed appears to refer to the people. However, even in these versions, the text implies that the seed of the word has different results in different kinds of people.

Here is the meaning of the main metaphors in the parable:

The seeds represent the word, which is the message from God.
The sowing of the seed represents telling the message to people.
The different kinds of soil represents the different people who hear the message.

This section heading should be similar to the section heading for 4:1–9. You may use the word “explained” or “Jesus explained” (instead of “Jesus told”).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus explained the parable of the sower and the soils

The four soils parable/story/illustration explained

The explanation of the parable about four kinds of people

The meaning of the parable of a man scattering seed

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 13:18–23 and Luke 8:11–15.

4:15a

Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown.

Some people are like the soil along/beside the path where the word is sown.
Some seed falls onto/beside the path where the word is sown. This is like when people
Sometimes the seed falls/lands on the path. This represents what happens when people hear the word,

Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown: The Greek text here is literally “these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown” (as in the RSV).

The words “these are the ones” (RSV) introduce the first group of people. These people are compared to the path along which the sower has sown the word/seed. Jesus described what happens when such people hear the word.

Here are some other ways to translate this comparison:

Sometimes the word/teaching falls along the path. This is like what happens when some people…

These/Some people are like the path along which the word is sown/scattered.

along the path: Translate this phrase as you did in 4:4b.

is sown: The verb is sown is passive. In the parable, the farmer sowed the seed. This event represents someone telling the gospel.

If it is more natural in your language to say who sowed, you may want to use “someone.” For example:

someone sowed/told the word

If possible keep the focus on the word.

4:15b

As soon as they hear it, Satan comes

When they hear the word, Satan comes at once
hear the word, but then immediately Satan comes
but then at once Satan, the leader of the demons, comes

4:15c

and takes away the word that was sown in them.

and removes the word that was sown in them.
and removes the word of God that someone had told them.
and causes them to forget God’s message that was put in their minds/hearts.

4:15b–c

As soon as they hear it, Satan comes: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as As soon as they hear it, Satan comes is literally “when they hear, Satan immediately comes” (as in the NRSV). The GW has another way to translate this:

Whenever they hear the word, Satan comes at once

If you have included the information that these people hear the word in 4:15a, it may be natural to translate this as:

as soon as that happens

immediately after that

Satan: The word Satan is the Hebrew name of the chief or leader of all the evil spirits. In Hebrew his name means “enemy.” He is the enemy of God and God’s people. See how you translated this name in 3:23–26. Here are some ways to translate Satan:

Use a local name or idiom that refers to the chief of all demons.
Use a descriptive phrase such as:
the chief/leader of the evil spirits
the spirit enemy of God
Transliterate the name Satan. If this word is not already known in your area, you may also want to add a descriptive phrase. For example:
Satanas, the ruler of demons
Shaitan If you transliterate Satan or borrow a word from another language, be sure that it communicates the biblical meaning to people in your culture. It is important to check this in each biblical context.

Try to use a term that will be acceptable to churches in the area. It is suggested that you also add a footnote or glossary entry that further explains who Satan is. For example:

Satan is the leader of all the evil spirits or demons. Once he was an angel in heaven, but he rebelled against God. God expelled him from heaven, and now he tempts people on earth. Here are other names for Satan that are used in the Bible: “Beelzebul,” “the Devil,” “the Evil One,” “the Enemy,” and “the Tempter.”

See how you translated this word in 1:13a.

takes away the word that was sown in them: There is a minor textual issue here: (1) Some Greek manuscripts have in/into them. For example, the CEV says: “Satan comes and snatches the word that was sown in them” (BSB, RSV, NIV, NJB, NASB, NLT, GW, CEV, JBP, NET, REB, NCV). (2) Other Greek manuscripts have in their hearts. For example, the KJV says: “taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts” (KJV). You should follow option (1) since it has the best manuscript support. Again, this clause mixes the explanation with the metaphor. The phrase the word is part of the explanation. The phrase was sown in them is a metaphor. It may be more natural in your language to explain the metaphor here. For example:

takes away what has been sown in their minds (JBP)

removes the word of God that they heard

takes away the word: The Greek word that the BSB translates as takes away can also be translated as “removes.” Satan takes away the seed/word in the sense that he makes the person “forget” what they have heard. In some languages it may be natural to translate it in a non-figurative way. For example:

causes them to forget God’s message

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δέ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὗτοι Δέ εἰσίν οἱ παρά τήν ὁδόν ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος καί ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν εὐθύς ἔρχεται ὁ Σατανᾶς καί αἴρει τόν λόγον τόν ἐσπαρμένον εἰς αὐτούς)

Here, the word Now introduces the next thing that Jesus wants to say. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces the next topic, or you could leave Now untranslated. Alternate translation: [Next,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οὗτοι & εἰσιν οἱ παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν

these & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὗτοι Δέ εἰσίν οἱ παρά τήν ὁδόν ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος καί ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν εὐθύς ἔρχεται ὁ Σατανᾶς καί αἴρει τόν λόγον τόν ἐσπαρμένον εἰς αὐτούς)

Here Jesus speaks about what happens to these people as if it were what happened in the parable when the seeds were sown beside the road. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in simile form. Alternate translation: [what happens to some people is like what happened to the seeds that were sown beside the road]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

σπείρεται ὁ λόγος & τὸν ἐσπαρμένον

˓is_being˒_sown the word & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὗτοι Δέ εἰσίν οἱ παρά τήν ὁδόν ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος καί ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν εὐθύς ἔρχεται ὁ Σατανᾶς καί αἴρει τόν λόγον τόν ἐσπαρμένον εἰς αὐτούς)

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the actions, you could use an indefinite subject. Alternate translation: [someone is sowing the word … that someone sowed]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ὁ λόγος & τὸν λόγον

the word & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὗτοι Δέ εἰσίν οἱ παρά τήν ὁδόν ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος καί ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν εὐθύς ἔρχεται ὁ Σατανᾶς καί αἴρει τόν λόγον τόν ἐσπαρμένον εἰς αὐτούς)

Just as in [4:14](../04/14.md), Jesus is using the term word to mean the gospel, which people preach using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the gospel … the gospel]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

εὐθὺς ἔρχεται ὁ Σατανᾶς, καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον τὸν ἐσπαρμένον εἰς αὐτούς

Here Jesus speaks about the gospel as if it were seeds that had been sown in people. He speaks of Satan as if he were a bird that swoops down and takes away the seeds. Since these figures of speech connect to the parable that Jesus told, if possible you should preserve them or express the ideas in simile form. Alternate translation: [Satan immediately comes like a bird and takes away the word, which had been sown like seeds in them]

Parallel MARK 4:15

Section 4:13–20: Jesus explained the parable about four types of soil

4:15a

4:15b

4:15c

4:15b–c