The Meaning of Mark 4:28 Explained

Mark 4:28

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

YLT: for of itself doth the earth bear fruit, first a blade, afterwards an ear, afterwards full corn in the ear;

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

ASV: The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Mark 4:28 Mean?

Context Summary

Mark 4:10-41 - Growth In God's Kingdom
How quick the Master was to observe the meaning of natural symbols! To Him all things were unfoldings of eternal mystery, and the ways of men unconsciously mirrored the unseen. Are there bushels in your life? Use them as lamp stands, not as coverings. All secrets come out; beware of what you say. All measures come back to us; take care how you mete. The mysterious co-operation of God in nature, and the gradual process of growth, are analogous to the co-working of the Holy Spirit with all faithful sowers of the Word, and the imperceptible stages through which the soul reaches maturity.
The stilling of the storm, Mark 4:35-41. They that bear Christ's company must prepare for squalls. Yet, why should we fear, when the Master is on board, who can impress His commands on wind and sea-to the wind, Peace; to the sea, Be still! "The Lord on high is mightier than the waves of the sea." A moment ago he was so weary as to sleep amid the storm, but at a word of appeal from those He loves, He shows Himself able to save to the uttermost. [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 4

1  The parable of the sower,
14  and the meaning thereof
21  We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others
26  The parable of the seed growing secretly;
30  and of the mustard seed
35  Jesus stills the storm on the sea

Greek Commentary for Mark 4:28

Of herself [αυτοματη]
Automatically, we say. The secret of growth is in the seed, not in the soil nor in the weather nor in the cultivating. These all help, but the seed spontaneously works according to its own nature. The word αυτοματη — automatē is from αυτος — autos (self) and μεμαα — memaa desire eagerly from obsolete μαω — maō Common word in all Greek history. Only one other example in N.T., in Acts 12:10 when the city gate opens to Peter of its own accord. “The mind is adapted to the truth, as the eye to the light” (Gould). So we sow the seed, God‘s kingdom truth, and the soil (the soul) is ready for the seed. The Holy Spirit works on the heart and uses the seed sown and makes it germinate and grow, “first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear” This is the law and order of nature and also of grace in the kingdom of God. Hence it is worth while to preach and teach. “This single fact creates the confidence shown by Jesus in the ultimate establishment of his kingdom in spite of the obstacles which obstruct its progress” (Gould). [source]
Of herself [αὐτομάτη]
Lit., self-acting. It occurs in only one other passage of the New Testament, Acts 12:10; of the city gate which opened to Peter of its own accord. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 4:28

Acts 12:10 The first and the second ward [πρωτην πυλακην και δευτεραν]
It is not clear to what this language refers. Some take it to mean single soldiers, using πυλακην — phulakēn in the sense of a guard (one before the door, one at the iron gate). But it seems hardly likely that the two soldiers with whom Peter had been stationed are meant. Probably the “first ward” means the two soldiers of the quaternion stationed by the door and the second ward some other soldiers, not part of the sixteen, further on in the prison by the iron gate. However understood, the difficulties of escape are made plain. Unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city (επι την πυλην την σιδηραν την περουσαν εις την πολιν — epi tēn pulēn tēn sidērān tēn pherousan eis tēn polin). Note the triple use of the article (the gate the iron one the one leading into the city). For this resumptive use of the article see Robertson, Grammar, pp. 762, 764. This iron gate may have opened from a court out into the street and effectually barred escape. Opened to them Second aorist passive indicative of ανοιγω — anoigō the usual later form though ηνοιχτη — ēnoichthē (first aorist passive) occurs also, was opened. Of its own accord (αυτοματη — automatē). Old compound adjective (αυτος — autos self, obsolete μαω — maō to desire eagerly, feminine form though masculine αυτοματος — automatos also used as feminine). In the N.T. only here and Mark 4:28. It was a strange experience for Peter. The Codex Bezae adds here “went down the seven steps” (κατεβησαν τους επτα βατμους — katebēsan tous hepta bathmous), an interesting detail that adds to the picture. One street The angel saw Peter through one of the narrow streets and then left him. We have no means of knowing precisely the location of the prison in the city. On “departed” (απεστη — apestē) see note on Acts 12:7. [source]
Acts 12:10 Opened to them [ηνοιγη αυτοις]
Second aorist passive indicative of ανοιγω — anoigō the usual later form though ηνοιχτη — ēnoichthē (first aorist passive) occurs also, was opened. Of its own accord (αυτοματη — automatē). Old compound adjective (αυτος — autos self, obsolete μαω — maō to desire eagerly, feminine form though masculine αυτοματος — automatos also used as feminine). In the N.T. only here and Mark 4:28. It was a strange experience for Peter. The Codex Bezae adds here “went down the seven steps” (κατεβησαν τους επτα βατμους — katebēsan tous hepta bathmous), an interesting detail that adds to the picture. One street The angel saw Peter through one of the narrow streets and then left him. We have no means of knowing precisely the location of the prison in the city. On “departed” (απεστη — apestē) see note on Acts 12:7. [source]
Acts 12:10 Of its own accord [αυτοματη]
Old compound adjective In the N.T. only here and Mark 4:28. It was a strange experience for Peter. The Codex Bezae adds here “went down the seven steps” (κατεβησαν τους επτα βατμους — katebēsan tous hepta bathmous), an interesting detail that adds to the picture. [source]
Colossians 1:6 And bringeth forth fruit [καὶ ἔστι καρποφορούμενον]
Lit., and is bearing fruit. The text varies. The best texts omit and. Some join ἔστι iswith the previous clause, as it is in all the world, and take bearing fruit as a parallel participle. So Rev. Others, better, join is with the participle, “even as it is bearing fruit.” This would emphasize the continuous fruitfulness of the Gospel. The middle voice of the verb, of which this is the sole instance, marks the fruitfulness of the Gospel by its own inherent power. Compare the active voice in Colossians 1:10, and see Mark 4:28, “the earth bringeth forth fruit αὐτομάτη ofherself, self-acting. For a similar use of the middle, see show, Ephesians 2:7; worketh, Galatians 5:6. [source]
Hebrews 6:7 The earth [γῆ]
Or the land. Personified. Comp. αὐτομάτη ἡ γῆ theland of itself, Mark 4:28, see note. [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 4:28 mean?

Of itself the earth brings forth fruit first a plant then an ear full grain in the ear
αὐτομάτη γῆ καρποφορεῖ πρῶτον χόρτον εἶτα στάχυν πλήρης σῖτον ἐν τῷ στάχυϊ

αὐτομάτη  Of  itself 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: αὐτόματος  
Sense: moved by one’s own impulse, or acting without the instigation or intervention of another.
γῆ  earth 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
καρποφορεῖ  brings  forth  fruit 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: καρποφορέω  
Sense: to bear fruit.
πρῶτον  first 
Parse: Adverb, Superlative
Root: πρῶτον 
Sense: first in time or place.
χόρτον  a  plant 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: χόρτος  
Sense: the place where grass grows and animals graze.
στάχυν  an  ear 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: στάχυσ1  
Sense: an ear of corn or of growing grain.
πλήρης  full 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: πλήρης  
Sense: full, i.e. filled up (as opposed to empty).
σῖτον  grain 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: σιτίον 
Sense: wheat, grain.
στάχυϊ  ear 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: στάχυσ1  
Sense: an ear of corn or of growing grain.