Mark 4:1 NLT

Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore. He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out (stepped out) to plant some seed.

Soil #1 the hard heart "what got on it?”

Mark 4:4 NLT

As he scattered it across his field, (today UR MY Field) some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. 

Soil #2 the shallow heart “what got UNDER it?”

Mark 4:5-6 NLT

Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. 

Soil #3 the crowded heart “what got IN it?”

Mark 4:7 NLT

Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. 

Soil #4 the fruitful heart “What’s not in it”

Mark 4:8 NLT

Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” 

Mark 4:9 NLT

Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 

Mark 4:10 NLT

Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.

Mark 4:13 NLT

Then Jesus said to them, "If you can't understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?

Mark 4:14 NLT

The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others.

Mark 4:15 NLT

The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. 

Mark 4:16-17 NLT

The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word.  

Mark 4:18-19 MSG

"The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.

Mark 4:20 NLT

And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Mark 4:27 NLT

Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.