Mark 4:28

Amplified Bible

"The earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head [of grain], then the mature grain in the head.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The soil produces a crop

King James Version (1611)
For the earth bringeth foorth fruite of herselfe, first the blade, then the eare, after that the full corne in the eare.

King James Version
For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

English Standard Version
The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

New American Standard Bible
"The soil produces crops by itself; first the stalk, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.

New Century Version
By itself the earth produces grain. First the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in the head.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.

Legacy Standard Bible
The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.

Berean Standard Bible
All by itself the earth produces a crop-first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within.

Contemporary English Version
It is the ground that makes the seeds sprout and grow into plants that produce grain.

Complete Jewish Bible
By itself the soil produces a crop — first the stalk, then the head, and finally the full grain in the head.

Darby Translation
The earth bears fruit of itself, first [the] blade, then an ear, then full corn in the ear.

Easy-to-Read Version
Without any help the ground produces grain. First the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in the head.

Geneva Bible (1587)
For the earth bringeth foorth fruite of it selfe, first the blade, then the eares, after that full corne in the eares.

George Lamsa Translation
For the earth causes it to yield fruit; and yet first it becomes a blade of grass, then an ear, and at last a full grain in the ear.

Good News Translation
The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit; first the tender stalk appears, then the head, and finally the head full of grain.

Lexham English Bible
By itself the soil produces a crop: first the grass, then the head of grain, then the full grain in the head.

Literal Translation
For of itself the earth bears fruit: first greenery, then an ear, then full grain in the ear.

American Standard Version
The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

Bible in Basic English
The earth gives fruit by herself; first the leaf, then the head, then the full grain.

Hebrew Names Version
For the eretz bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

International Standard Version
The ground produces grain by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.

Etheridge Translation
For the earth yieldeth him fruit; and first is there the plant, and after it the ear, but lastly the completed corn in the ear.

Murdock Translation
For the earth bringeth forth the fruit; first the plant, and subsequently the ear, and at last the complete wheat in the ear.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
For the earth bringeth foorth fruite of her selfe, first the blade, then the eare, after that, the full corne in the eare.

English Revised Version
The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.

World English Bible
For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For the earth bringeth forth fruit of itself, first the blade, then the ear, after that, the full corn in the ear.

Weymouth's New Testament
Of itself the land produces the crop-- first the blade, then the ear; afterwards the perfect grain is seen in the ear.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For the erthe makith fruyt, first the gras, aftirward the ere, and aftir ful fruyt in the ere.

Update Bible Version
The earth bears fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the earth bringeth forth fruit of itself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

New English Translation
By itself the soil produces a crop, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.

New King James Version
For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.

New Living Translation
The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.

New Life Bible
The earth gives fruit by itself. The leaf comes first and then the young grain can be seen. And last, the grain is ready to gather.

New Revised Standard
The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
of itself, the earth beareth fruit, - first, a blade, afterwards, an ear, after that, full corn in the ear;

Douay-Rheims Bible
For the earth of itself bringeth forth fruit, first the blade, then the ear, afterwards the full corn in the ear.

Revised Standard Version
The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For ye erth bringeth forthe frute of her silfe: fyrst the blade then the eares after that full corne in the eares.

Young's Literal Translation
for of itself doth the earth bear fruit, first a blade, afterwards an ear, afterwards full corn in the ear;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
(For the earth bryngeth forth frute of her selfe: first the grasse, afterwarde the eare, then the full wheate in the eare)

Mace New Testament (1729)
for the earth spontaneously produces, first the blade, then the ear, after that the grain of corn in the ear.

Simplified Cowboy Version
He has no idea how it works, but he knows it does. The earth makes things grow. First, a little green leaf pokes up through the dirt. Then the head of wheat forms.

Contextual Overview

²¹He said to them, "A lamp is not brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not [brought in] to be put on the lampstand? ²²"For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been kept secret, but that it would come to light [that is, things are hidden only temporarily, until the appropriate time comes for them to be known]. ²³"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words." ²⁴Then He said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides. ²⁵"For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him." ²⁶Then He said, "The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on the ground; ²⁷and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know. ²⁸"The earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head [of grain], then the mature grain in the head.²⁹"But when the crop ripens, he immediately puts in the sickle [to reap], because [the time for] the harvest has come." ³⁰And He said, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the earth: Genesis 1:11, Genesis 1:12, Genesis 2:4, Genesis 2:5, Genesis 2:9, Genesis 4:11, Genesis 4:12, Isaiah 61:11

first: Mark 4:31, Mark 4:32, Psalms 1:3, Psalms 92:13, Psalms 92:14, Proverbs 4:18, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Hosea 6:3, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 1:9-11, Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:13

blade: Matthew 13:26

Reciprocal: 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - fulfil

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself,.... Without any further help, or cultivation from the husbandman; though under the influence of the sun, dews, and showers of rain from heaven: this is said, not to denote that man of himself, upon hearing the word, can bring forth the fruit of grace in himself; he cannot regenerate himself, nor quicken, nor convert himself; he cannot believe in Christ, nor love the Lord of himself; nor repent of his sin, nor begin, or carry on the good work; he can neither sanctify his heart, nor mortify the deeds of the body; or even bring forth the fruits of good works, when converted. For all these things are owing to the Spirit, power, and grace of God: men are regenerated according to the abundant mercy of God, of water and of the Spirit, by the word of truth, through the sovereign will and pleasure of God; and they are quickened, who before were dead in trespasses and sins, and were as dry bones, by the Spirit of God breathing upon them: conversion in the first production, is the Lord's work; "turn thou me, and I shall be turned": faith in Christ is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; and so is repentance unto life; love is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and in short, the whole work of grace is not by might, nor by power of man, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts; who begins and carries on, and performs it until the day of Christ: the work of sanctification, is therefore called the sanctification of the Spirit; and it is through him the deeds of the body are mortified: and indeed, without Christ, believers themselves can do nothing at all; even cannot perform good works, or do any action that is truly and spiritually good. But the design is to show, that as the earth without human power, without the husbandman, under the influence of the heavens, brings forth fruit; so without human power, without the Gospel minister, the word having taken root under divine influence, through the sun of righteousness, the dews of divine grace, and operations of the blessed Spirit, it rises up and brings forth fruit:

first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear; which, as it very aptly describes the progress of the seed from first to last; so it very beautifully represents the gradual increase of the work of grace, under the instrumentality of the word, accompanied with the Spirit and power of God. Grace at first appearance is very small, like the small green spire, when it first shoots out of the earth: light into a man's self, his heart, his state and condition, in the knowledge of Christ, and the doctrines of the Gospel, is but very small; he is one of little faith, and weak in the exercise of it: faith is but at first a small glimmering view of Christ, a venture upon him, a peradventure there may be life and salvation for such an one in him; it comes at length to a reliance and leaning upon him; and it is some time before the soul can walk alone by faith on him: its experience of the love of God is but small, but in process of time there is a growth and an increase; light increases, which shines more and more unto the perfect day; faith grows stronger and stronger; experience of the love of God is enlarged; and the believer wades in these waters of the sanctuary; not only as at first up to the ankles, but to the knees and loins; when at length they are a broad river to swim in, and which cannot be passed over.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself - That is, it is done without the power of man. It is done while man is engaged in other things. The scope of this passage does not require us to suppose that our Saviour meant to say that the earth had any productive power of itself, but only that it produced its fruits not by the “power of man.” God gives it its power. It has no power of its own. So religion in the heart is not by the power of man. It grows he cannot tell how, and of course he cannot without divine aid, control it. It is by the power of God. At the same time, as without industry man would have no harvest, so without active effort he would have no religion. Both are connected with his effort; both are to be measured commonly by his effort Philippians 2:12; both grow he cannot tell how; both increase when the proper means are used, and both depend on God for increase.

First the blade - The green, tender shoot, that first starts out of the earth before the stalk is formed.

Then the ear - The original means the stalk or spire of wheat or barley, as well as the ear.

The full corn - The ripe wheat. The grain swollen to its proper size. By this is denoted, undoubtedly, that grace or religion in the heart is of gradual growth. It is at first tender, feeble, perhaps almost imperceptible, like the first shootings of the grain in the earth. Perhaps also, like grain, it often lies long in the earth before there are signs of life. Like the tender grain, also, it needs care, kindness, and culture. A frost, a cold storm, or a burning sun alike injure it. So tender piety in the heart needs care, kindness, culture. It needs shelter from the frosts and storms of a cold, unfeeling world. It needs the genial dews and mild suns of heaven; in other words, it needs instruction, prayer, and friendly counsel from parents, teachers, ministers, and experienced Christians, that it may grow, and bring forth the full fruits of holiness. Like the grain, also, in due time it will grow strong; it will produce its appropriate fruit - a full and rich harvest - to the praise of God.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 28. Bringeth forth - of herself — αυτοματη. By its own energy, without either the influence or industry of man. Similar to this is the expression of the poet: -

Namque aliae, NULLIS HOMlNUM COGENTIBUS, ipsae

SPONTE SUA veniunt. VIRG. Geor. l. ii. v. 10.

"Some (trees) grow of their own accord, without the labour of man."

All the endlessly varied herbage of the field is produced in this way.

The full corn — πληρησιτον, FULL wheat; the perfect, full-grown, or ripe corn. Lucian uses κενος καρπος, EMPTY fruit, for imperfect, or unripe fruit. See Kypke.

The kingdom of God, which is generated in the soul by the word of life, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, is first very small; there is only a blade, but this is full of promise, for a good blade shows there is a good seed at bottom, and that the soil in which it is sown is good also. Then the ear-the strong stalk grows up, and the ear is formed at the top; the faith and love of the believing soul increase abundantly; it is justified freely through the redemption that is in Christ; it has the ear which is shortly to be filled with the ripe grain, the outlines of the whole image of God. Then the full corn. The soul is purified from all unrighteousness; and, having escaped the corruption that is in the world, it is made a partaker of the Divine nature, and is filled with all the fulness of God.