Mark 4:17-19
What is written? (ESV)
And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
What does it say?
And they aren’t rooted, so will endure for a time until they face difficulty due to the gospel and turn away. Still others are like the seed cast among the thorns, upon hearing the word allow the problems of this world and the vanity of material things and desires for other things crowd out and choke the word so that no fruit is borne.
What is its immediate context?
During Jesus’ public ministry teaching crowds that have heard about Him and His miracles (vs 1) as He begins to preach in parables (vs 2). He tells the parable of the sower (or soils) to the public in vss 3-9 and then explains it privately to His disciples in vss 13-20. The seed is the word (vs 14).A parallel account of this is also recorded in Matthew 13:18-23 and Luke 8:11-15.
How Mark 4:17-19 is applied across Bible answers
Top 6: Jesus and OSAS?
Two (of four) results of sowing the seed are described by Jesus. Both of these receive (believe and obey) the gospel at least for a time. The former falls away completely; the latter apparently remains believing and obedient, at least to some level, but not to the point of bearing any outward fruits as a result of their faith.
In the preceding verses, Jesus connects the seed (word) sown to two more types of individuals. The first (vs 15) is sown along the path and never takes root (never believes or obeys). The fourth (vs 20) is sown in good soil that takes root (believes and obeys) and bears abundant fruit.
