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.
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. |
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γῆ | earth |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: γῆ Sense: arable land. |
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καρποφορεῖ | brings forth fruit |
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: καρποφορέω Sense: to bear fruit. |
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πρῶτον | first |
Parse: Adverb, Superlative Root: πρῶτον Sense: first in time or place. |
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χόρτον | a plant |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: χόρτος Sense: the place where grass grows and animals graze. |
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στάχυν | an ear |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: στάχυσ1 Sense: an ear of corn or of growing grain. |
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πλήρης | full |
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: πλήρης Sense: full, i.e. filled up (as opposed to empty). |
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σῖτον | grain |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: σιτίον Sense: wheat, grain. |
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στάχυϊ | ear |
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: στάχυσ1 Sense: an ear of corn or of growing grain. |
Greek Commentary for Mark 4:28
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]
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
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]
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]
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]
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]
Or the land. Personified. Comp. αὐτομάτη ἡ γῆ theland of itself, Mark 4:28, see note. [source]