The parable of the seeds, after the seeding on the prickly ground.
Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred
Mark 4:8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”
And others fell into this earth, the good one, and gave fruit, growing up and increasing, and one produced thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred.
Outcomes are never equal. Only opportunities are.
Jesus uses six conjunctions meaning "and" in this verse. These repetitions seem to be a humorous exaggeration. Five are editing out the NIV.
The same word translated as "some" in the previous verses in this parable is translated more correctly as "other" here. This version is neuter plural, while the earlier versions were neuter, singular. The plural is used here because there are three outcomes.
The word translated as "fell" also means "failed." Specifically, it means to "fall short." These verses list various ways the information in the seed can fall short, but here, even on the good earth, the same word is used. Why? Because two of the three do not reach their potential.
The word translated as "ground" and "soil" also means "earth," just like our word "earth" refers to the ground and dirt. However, it is not "on" the earth, but "into" the earth. This is important, both for seeds and for information.
The Greek word translated as "some" three times here is actually the number "one." One odd thing is that the first "one," the least productive, is masculine, the next two are neuter. The original noun being referred by "others" and these numbers is "the seeding," which is neuter. The masculine is hard to explain. My only thought was the Jesus was referring to an individual here, one of his followers as a tease, but if he referred to two others with a neuter, that is a tease as well.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "other" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural, "others."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "on" should be something more like "into."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "good" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "ground" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "did" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "yielded" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "sprang" is not an active verb but a participle, "growing."
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "increased" is not an active verb but a participle, "increasing."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "forth" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "still" should be something more like "and."
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "other" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural, "others."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "seed " doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "on" should be something more like "into."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "good" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "ground" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "came" is not an active verb but a participle, "growing."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "came" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "grew" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "grew" is not an active verb but a participle, "increasing."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "produced" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "crop" should be something more like "fruit."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "brought" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "increased" is not an active verb but a participle, "increasing."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "multiplying" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "some" should be something more like "one."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "times" doesn't exist in the source.
And - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
other - (WN) The word translated as "other" means "other" and "different." It is a more negative word than the English "some," also meaning "wrong", "untrue," and unworthy." This word is neuter, plural, not singular. It is the same word translated as "some" in the earlier verses, but those forms were masculine.
fell - "Fell" is translated from a Greek word that means "to fall" and "to fall down." Like our word "to fall" it has a number of special meanings including "to fall into a given class", "to prostrate", "to fall from power", "to perish," and so on. The word translated as "fell" also means "failed." Specifically, it means to "fall short." The verb is singular, but neuter, plural words take a singular verb because they are treated as a conglomeration.
on - (WW) The word translated as "on" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
good - The word translated as "good" referring to the "fruit" means "beautiful", "noble," or "of good quality." It is different than the verb above. See this article on the real Greek meaning of the terms translated as "good" and "evil" in the KJV.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
ground, -- The word translated as "ground" means "ground," "land," "country," and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Jesus describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
did -- (IW) This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek However, here its addition is confusing.
yield (CW) The verb translated as "yield" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
fruit. - The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit", "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors." It has a stronger economic sense of return on investment than our English "fruit," and is even used to mean taxes.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
sprang - (WF, CW) "Sprung " is a Greek verb that, for plants, describes when plants grow on sticks or other plants, entwining them, or "climbing" them. It is in the form of a verbal adjective, "growing." This verb was translated as "grew up" in Mark 4:7.
up - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
increased; - (WF) "Increased" is a verb that means to "increase", "increase in power", and "strengthen". It is in the form of an adjective, "increasing."
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
brought , The word translated as "brought" means "to bear" and "to produce". It is different than the common verb meaning "to give" translated as "brought forth" earlier in the verse.
forth-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "forth" in the Greek source.
some -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "some" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This form is masculine.
thirty, - "Thirty" is the word that means "thirty."
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
some -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "some" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This form is neuter.
sixty, - This Greek word means the number "sixty" or "the sixtieth part."
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
some -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "some" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This form is masculine.
an -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
hundred - This is the number "a hundred."
Still - (WW) The Greek word translated as "still" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
other - (WN) The word translated as "other" means "other" and "different." It is a more negative word than the English "some," also meaning "wrong", "untrue," and unworthy." This word is neuter, plural, not singular. It is the same word translated as "some" in the earlier verses, but those forms were masculine.
seed -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "seed " in the Greek source.
fell - "Fell" is translated from a Greek word that means "to fall" and "to fall down." Like our word "to fall" it has a number of special meanings including "to fall into a given class", "to prostrate", "to fall from power", "to perish," and so on. The word translated as "fell" also means "failed." Specifically, it means to "fall short." The verb is singular, but neuter, plural words take a singular verb because they are treated as a conglomeration.
on - (WW) The word translated as "on" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
good - The word translated as "good" referring to the "fruit" means "beautiful", "noble," or "of good quality." It is different than the verb above. See this article on the real Greek meaning of the terms translated as "good" and "evil" in the KJV.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
soil, -- The word translated as "soil" means "ground," "land," "country," and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Jesus describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
It -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
came - (WF, CW) "Came" is a Greek verb that, for plants, describes when plants grow on sticks or other plants, entwining them, or "climbing" them. It is in the form of a verbal adjective, "growing." This verb was translated as "grew up" in Mark 4:7.
up - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
grew; - (CW, WF) "Grew" is a verb that means to "increase", "increase in power", and "strengthen". It is in the form of an adjective, "increasing."
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
produced (CW) The verb translated as "produced" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
crop. - (WW) he word translated as "crop" primary meaning is "fruit", "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors." It has a stronger economic sense of return on investment than our English "fruit," and is even used to mean taxes.
missing "brought" -- (MW) The untranslated word "brought" means "to bear" and "to produce". It is different than the common verb meaning "to give" translated as "brought forth" earlier in the verse.
some -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "some" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This form is masculine.
multiplying -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "it" in the Greek source. IW - Inserted Word -- The word "it" doesn't exist in the source.
thirty, - "Thirty" is the word that means "thirty."
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
some -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "some" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This form is neuter.
sixty, - This Greek word means the number "sixty" or "the sixtieth part."
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
some -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "some" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This form is masculine.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
hundred - This is the number "a hundred."
times - -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "times" in the Greek source. The above numbers may mean "times" but the might also mean bushels or some other measure.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj)"And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ἄλλα [34 verses](adj pl neut nom) "Some" is from allos, which means "another", "one besides", "of another sort", "different", "other than what is true", "as well", "besides," {with numerals: "yet", "still", "further"), "of other sort", "other than what is", "untrue", "unreal", "other than right", "wrong", "bad", "unworthy," [with an article] "the rest", "all besides," and [in series] "one...another."
ἔπεσεν [36 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Fell" is from the verb pipto, which means "to fall", "to fall down", "to be cast down," "fall upon", "intersect (geometry)", "meet", "pass through", "fall violently upon", "attack", "fall in battle", "sink{in water)", "fall short i.e. fail", " fall out of", "lose a thing", "escape from", "fall asleep", "to be accessible to perception", "to fall (between her feet, i.e. to be born)", "to let fall[dice)", "turn out," and "fall under (belong to a class)."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "On" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)", "until (of time)", "as much as (of measure or limit)", "as far as (of measure or limit)", "towards (to express relation)", "in regard to (to express relation)", "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
γῆν - [59 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Earth" is from ge, which means "the element of earth", "land (country)", "arable land", "the ground," and "the world" as the opposite of the sky. Like our English word "earth," it means both dirt and the planet.
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
καλὴν [48 verses](adj pl masc acc) "Good" is kalos, which means "beautiful," "good," "of fine quality," "noble," and "honorable." Referring to parts of the body, "fair" and "shapely."As an adverb,the word translated as "well" means, "well," "rightly," "happily," "thoroughly," "altogether," and "deservedly."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj)"And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ἐδίδου [147 verses](3rd sg imperf ind act) "Did yield" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."
καρπόν,[32 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Fruit" is karpos, which means "fruit," "the fruits of the earth," "seed," "offspring," "returns for profit," and "reward." -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
ἀναβαίνοντα [14 verses] (part sg pres act masc acc) "That sprung up" is from anabainô, which means "to go up", "to mount," and "to turn up." It is the word used for mounting a horse, going aboard a ship, or ascending to heaven. For plants, it is used specifically to describe when plants grow on sticks or other plants, entwining them, or "mounting" them.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
αὐξανόμενα,[6 verses] (part sg pres mp fem nom) "Increased" is auxano, which means to "increase," "increase in power," "strengthen," "exalt by one's deeds," "glorify," "exalt by one's deeds," "glorify," "amplify," "exaggerate," "bring up," and "sacrifice." In the passive, it means "grow," and "increase" is size, strength, or power.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj) " And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ἔφερεν [16 verses] (verb 3rd sg imperf ind act) "Brought forth" is phero, which means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch."
εἰς [85 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Some" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular.
τριάκοντα [4 verses](numeral) "Thirtyfold" is from triakonta which means "thirty."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ἐν [85 verses](noun sg neut nom) "Some" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular. -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
ἑξήκοντα [4 verses] (numeral) "Sixtyfold" is from hexekonta, which means the number "sixty" or "the sixtieth part."
καὶ[1089 verses](conj)"And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ἐν[85 verses](noun sg neut nom) "Some" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular. -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
ἑκατόν. (numeral) "An hundredfold" is hekaton, which is the number "a hundred."