MARK 4:17 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, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
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 they have no root in themselves, but are temporary. Then, tribulation or persecution having happened because of the word, immediately they are caused to stumble.

UST However, they are like plants without good roots, which do not live very long. In fact, when bad things happen or when people hurt them because they accepted the good news, they quickly stop believing it.

BLB and they have no root in themselves, but are temporary. Then tribulation or persecution having arisen on account of the word, immediately they fall away.

AICNT and they have no root in themselves but are temporary; then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately fall away.[fn]

4:17, fall away: Or stumble

OEB but, as they have no root, they stand only for a short time; and so, when trouble or persecution arises because of the message, they fall away at once.

WEBBE They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET But they have no root in themselves and do not endure. Then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away.

LSV and have no root in themselves, but are temporary; afterward tribulation or persecution having come because of the word, immediately they are stumbled.

FBV But since they have no real roots, they only last for a while until trouble or persecution comes, and then they quickly fall away.

TCNT Yet they have no root in themselves, but are only temporary. When tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, they immediately fall away.

T4T But, because the message does not penetrate deeply [MET] into their hearts/inner beings, they believe it for only a short time. They are like the plants that did not have deep roots. When others treat such people badly or cause them to suffer because they believe, those people who are suffering soon stop believing God’s message.

LEB And they have no root in themselves, but are temporary. Then when[fn] affliction or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away.

4:17 *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“comes”)

BBE And they have no root in themselves, but go on for a time; then, when trouble comes or pain, because of the word, they quickly become full of doubts.

Moff but they have no root in themselves, they do not last; the next thing is that when the word brings trouble or persecution, they are at once repelled.

Wymth but they have no root within them. They last for a time; then, when suffering or persecution comes because of the Message, they are immediately overthrown.

ASV and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble.

DRA And they have no root in themselves, but are only for a time: and then when tribulation and persecution ariseth for the word they are presently scandalized.

YLT and have not root in themselves, but are temporary; afterward tribulation or persecution having come because of the word, immediately they are stumbled.

Drby and they have no root in themselves, but are for a time: then, tribulation arising, or persecution on account of the word, immediately they are offended.

RV and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble.

SLT And have no root in themselves, but are temporary; then pressure having been or expulsion for the word, quickly are they scandalized.

Wbstr And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they relapse.

KJB-1769 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

KJB-1611 And haue no roote in themselues, and so endure but for a time: afterward when affliction or persecution ariseth for the words sake, immediately they are offended.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps Yet haue no roote in them selues, and so endure but a tyme: and anone when trouble and persecution aryseth for the wordes sake, immediatlye they are offended.
(Yet have no root in themselves, and so endure but a time: and anon/immediately when trouble and persecution ariseth for the words sake, immediately they are offended.)

Gnva Yet haue they no roote in themselues, and endure but a time: for when trouble and persecution ariseth for the worde, immediatly they be offended.
(Yet have they no root in themselves, and endure but a time: for when trouble and persecution ariseth for the word, immediately they be offended. )

Cvdl and haue no rote in them: but endure for a tyme. When trouble and persecucion aryseth for ye wordes sake, immediatly they are offended.
(and have no root in them: but endure for a time. When trouble and persecution ariseth for ye/you_all words sake, immediately they are offended.)

TNT yet have no rotes in them selves and so endure but a tyme: and anone as trouble and persecucion aryseth for the wordes sake they fall immediatly.
(yet have no roots in themselves and so endure but a time: and anon/immediately as trouble and persecution ariseth for the words sake they fall immediately. )

Wycl and thei han not roote in hem silf, but thei ben lastynge a litil tyme; aftirward whanne tribulacioun risith, and persecucioun for the word, anoon thei ben sclaundrid.
(and they have not root in himself, but they been lasting a little time; afterward when tribulation riseth/rises, and persecution for the word, anon/immediately they been slandered/disgraced.)

Luth und haben keine Wurzel in ihnen, sondern sind wetterwendisch; wenn sich Trübsal oder Verfolgung um des Worts willen erhebt, so ärgern sie sich alsbald.
(and have no root(n) in to_them, rather are weather-changeable; when itself/yourself/themselves gloom/sorrow/afflictions or persecution around/by/for the word will raises, so annoy they/she/them itself/yourself/themselves soon.)

ClVg et non habent radicem in se, sed temporales sunt: deinde orta tribulatione et persecutione propter verbum, confestim scandalizantur.
(and not/no they_have root in/into/on himself, but temporal are: then/next arose tribulation and persecution because the_word/saying, immediately they_are_scandalised. )

UGNT καὶ οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιροί εἰσιν; εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον, εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζονται.
(kai ouk eⱪousin ɽizan en heautois, alla proskairoi eisin; eita genomenaʸs thlipseōs aʸ diōgmou dia ton logon, euthus skandalizontai.)

SBL-GNT καὶ οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιροί εἰσιν, εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον ⸀εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζονται.
(kai ouk eⱪousin ɽizan en heautois alla proskairoi eisin, eita genomenaʸs thlipseōs aʸ diōgmou dia ton logon ⸀euthus skandalizontai.)

RP-GNT καὶ οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιροί εἰσιν· εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον, εὐθέως σκανδαλίζονται.
(kai ouk eⱪousin ɽizan en heautois, alla proskairoi eisin; eita genomenaʸs thlipseōs aʸ diōgmou dia ton logon, eutheōs skandalizontai.)

TC-GNT καὶ οὐκ ἔχουσι ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιροί εἰσιν· εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον, [fn]εὐθέως σκανδαλίζονται.
(kai ouk eⱪousi ɽizan en heautois, alla proskairoi eisin; eita genomenaʸs thlipseōs aʸ diōgmou dia ton logon, eutheōs skandalizontai. )

4:17 ευθεως ¦ ευθυς ANT CT

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:13–20: 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.

4:17

On the rocky ground, the seeds become plants. But they cannot develop good roots in the rocky soil. Then the heat of the sun causes these plants to die. This is like people who accept the word of God, but they do not give the word a chance to take root in them. When they have trouble or when people persecute them, they stop obeying the word.

4:17a

But they themselves have no root,

But since they are like plants without enough roots,
but they do not let God’s word grow deep in their hearts/minds,

4:17b

and they remain for only a season.

they do not last for a long time.
so they accept/believe the word only for a short time.

4:17a–b

But: There is a contrast between what one would expect of a person who received the word with joy (4:16b) and what actually happens (4:17). These people did not continue to grow as believers. The BSB indicates this contrast with the conjunction But. Introduce this contrast in the way that is natural in your language.

they themselves have no root, and they remain for only a season: A literal translation of the Greek text is: “they have no root in themselves, but are temporary.” The plants are temporary, or only live for a short time, because they have no root.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

they have no roots; that is why they last only a short time

they have no root, so they do not last for a long time

they live only for a little while because they have no root

they themselves have no root: The phrase they themselves have no root is a metaphor. The people who had received the word with joy were like plants without roots. They were not stable or firm because they did not believe God’s word enough to endure trouble. In some languages it may be necessary to translate this as a simile:

they are like plants with no root

Another possibility is to translate some of the meaning of the metaphor. For example:

the word had not taken deep root within them

they do not let God’s word grow deep in their hearts/minds

The phrase they themselves have no root is also a hyperbole. It emphasizes that they did not have enough roots. See the note on 4:6b.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

they have no deep roots

they have only a shallow root

they remain for only a season: The Greek word that the BSB translates as remain for only a season means “are temporary.” It refers to the fact that the person who is like a plant on rocky soil accepts the message foronly a season.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

stay that way only a short time

quickly change their mind

do not endure (NET)

accept it only for a short time

4:17c

When trouble or persecution comes because of the word,

When suffering and oppression happen to them because they received/welcomed the word of God,
Because they accept/believe God’s message, they have difficulties and people do harm/evil to them.

trouble or persecution comes because of the word: In some languages, it may be natural to change the order of some of the parts of this verse. For example:

the word causes them trouble and persecution

on account of the word, they encounter trouble or persecution

Because they receive the word, they have difficulties and are persecuted

trouble or persecution comes: The word trouble is a general word that refers to difficulties of all kinds. The word persecution refers to someone deliberately harming someone else because of who they are or what they believe.

You may need a different verb than comes to refer to trouble or persecution happening to someone.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

When suffering and oppression happen to them

When they have difficulties and people do evil to them

When they have trouble or people persecute/oppress/harm them

because of the word: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as because of the word here means “because they received the word.” Trouble and persecution came because these people heard and accepted the word of God. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

When trouble or persecution comes because they accepted/welcomed the word

4:17d

they quickly fall away.

they quickly/immediately stop believing the word of God.
When those things happen, they soon turn away from God’s message.

they quickly fall away: The phrase fall away is an idiom. In this context it means that these people stop believing the message and turn away from God. This happens quickly or immediately.

Here are some other ways to translate this idiom:

they immediately stop believing/obeying God’s message

they immediately turn away from the message

they give up at once (GNT)

they quickly lose faith (REB)

General Comment on 4:17a–d

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the parts of this verse. For example:

^17aBut they lack roots, ^17cso when trouble arrives or people cause them hardship because they believed the word of God, ^17bthey do not continue to believe. ^17dRather they immediately turn away from their faith.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

καὶ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἀλλά πρόσκαιροι εἰσίν εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως ἤ διωγμοῦ διά τόν λόγον εὐθύς σκανδαλίζονται)

Here, the word and introduces what happens to these people in contrast with how they at first received the good news. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces this kind of contrast. Alternate translation: [but]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιροί εἰσιν

not ˱they˲_˓are˒_having root in themselves (Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἀλλά πρόσκαιροι εἰσίν εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως ἤ διωγμοῦ διά τόν λόγον εὐθύς σκανδαλίζονται)

Here Jesus speaks about these people as if they were the plants in the parable that had no root and were only temporary since they withered when the sun rose. Since this figure of speech connects to the parable that Jesus told, if possible you should preserve it or express the ideas in simile form. Alternate translation: [they are like plants with no roots that do not live for long]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

οὐκ & ῥίζαν

not & root

Here, just as in [4:6](../04/06.md), Jesus says no root as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: [almost no root] or [very small roots]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

γενομένης θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ

˓having˒_become tribulation (Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἀλλά πρόσκαιροι εἰσίν εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως ἤ διωγμοῦ διά τόν λόγον εὐθύς σκανδαλίζονται)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of tribulation and persecution, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [when they are afflicted or persecuted]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τὸν λόγον

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]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

σκανδαλίζονται

˱they˲_˓are_being˒_stumbled

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: [they stumble]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor