translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: MRK

label: NET translator note

text: Grk “and all the crowd.” The clause in this phrase, although coordinate in terms of grammar, is logically subordinate to the previous clause.


text: Mark’s version of the parable, like Luke’s (cf. Luke 8:4-8 ), uses the collective singular to refer to the seed throughout, so singular pronouns have been used consistently throughout this parable in the English translation. However, the parallel account in Matt 13:1-9 begins with plural pronouns in v. 4 but then switches to the collective singular in v. 5 ff.


text: Grk “it did not have enough depth of earth.”


text: Grk “it did not have root.”


text: Here καί ( kai ) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in the final stage of the parable.


text: The translation “had better listen!” captures the force of the third person imperative more effectively than the traditional “let him hear,” which sounds more like a permissive than an imperative to the modern English reader. This was Jesus’ common expression to listen and heed carefully (cf. Matt 11:15; 13:9, 43 ; Mark 4:23 ; Luke 8:8, 14:35 ).


text: Grk “the mystery.” sn The key term secret ( μυστήριον , musthrion ) can mean either (1) a new revelation or (2) a revealing interpretation of existing revelation as in Dan 2:17-23, 27-30 . Jesus seems to be explaining how current events develop old promises, since the NT consistently links the events of Jesus’ ministry and message with old promises ( Rom 1:1-4 ; Heb 1:1-2 ). The traditional translation of this word, “mystery,” is misleading to the modern English reader because it suggests a secret which people have tried to uncover but which they have failed to understand (L&N 28.77).


text: This is an example of a “divine passive,” with God understood to be the source of the revelation (see ExSyn 437-38).


text: Grk “And.” Here καί ( kai ) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.


text: Grk “And.” Here καί ( kai ) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.


text: Grk “are temporary.”


text: Grk “and.” Here καί ( kai ) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.


text: Grk “the deceitfulness of riches.” Cf. BDAG 99 s.v. ἀπάτη 1, “the seduction which comes from wealth.”


text: Here καί ( kai ) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.


text: Or “a bowl”; this refers to any container for dry material of about eight liters (two gallons) capacity. It could be translated “basket, box, bowl” (L&N 6.151).


text: Or “disclosed.”


text: The translation “had better listen!” captures the force of the third person imperative more effectively than the traditional “let him hear,” which sounds more like a permissive than an imperative to the modern English reader. This was Jesus’ common expression to listen and heed carefully (cf. Matt 11:15; 13:9, 43 ; Mark 4:9 ; Luke 8:8, 14:35 ).


text: Grk “by [the measure] with which you measure it will be measured to you.”


text: The Greek word εὐθύς ( euqus , often translated “immediately” or “right away”) has not been translated here. It sometimes occurs with a weakened, inferential use (BDAG 406 s.v. 2 ), not contributing significantly to the flow of the narrative. For further discussion, see R. J. Decker, Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb in the Gospel of Mark with Reference to Verbal Aspect (SBG 10), 73-77.


text: Mark 4:31-32 is fairly awkward in Greek. Literally the sentence reads as follows: “As a mustard seed, which when sown in the earth, being the smallest of all the seeds in the earth, and when it is sown, it grows up…” The structure has been rendered in more idiomatic English, although some of the awkward structure has been retained for rhetorical effect.


text: Grk “the birds of the sky” or “the birds of the heaven”; the Greek word οὐρανός ( ouranos ) may be translated either “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context. The idiomatic expression “birds of the sky” refers to wild birds as opposed to domesticated fowl (cf. BDAG 809 s.v. πετεινόν ).


text: Grk “And.” Here καί ( kai ) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.


text: Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


text: The phrase “of the lake” is not in the Greek text but is clearly implied; it has been supplied here for clarity.


text: Grk “And.” Here καί ( kai ) has been translated as “so” to indicate the response to Jesus’ request.


text: It is possible that this prepositional phrase modifies “as he was,” not “they took him along.” The meaning would then be “they took him along in the boat in which he was already sitting” (see 4:1 ). sn A boat that held all the disciples would be of significant size.


text: Grk “And.” Here καί ( kai ) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.


text: Or “a squall.” sn The Sea of Galilee is located in a depression some 700 ft (200 m) below sea level and is surrounded by hills. Frequently a rush of wind and the right mix of temperatures can cause a storm to come suddenly on the lake. Storms on the Sea of Galilee were known for their suddenness and violence.


text: Grk “And.” Here καί ( kai ) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.


text: Or “commanded” (often with the implication of a threat, L&N 33.331).


text: Grk “And.” Here καί ( kai ) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.