Section 4:26–29
Jesus told the parable of the sprouting seeds
This parable compares the kingdom of God to seeds. Seeds are planted, they sprout and grow and produce their own seeds (4:27–29a). The man who planted the seeds expects all this to happen but does not know how it happens (4:27c, 29b–c). In the same way, the followers of Jesus will grow in number and spiritual maturity, but people outside of the kingdom of God do not know how that happens. The identity of the man in the parable is not a part of the teaching of the parable. The man should not be compared to God in your translation.
It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
The parable of the sprouting seeds
-or-
Jesus compared the kingdom of God to plants growing from seeds to harvest
There are no direct parallel passages for this section. Some similar terms are used in Matthew 13:24–30.
Paragraph 4:26–29
4:26a
Jesus also said: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus also said is the same Greek phrase as in 4:24a, except here it does not have “to them.” As in 4:24a, this phrase indicates that Jesus was beginning a new topic.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
He continued, saying
-or-
Furthermore he said
If your language requires that you make explicit who Jesus said this to, you should use a general expression such as “to them.”
4:26b–c
The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground: The kingdom of God is compared to what happens when a man scatters seed on the ground. (There are various interpretations of this parable. Some commentators, including Lenski (page 184), say that the kingdom of God is compared to the entire scene. Edwards (page 142) says that the kingdom of God is here compared to seed. France (page 213) says that it is the man who sows.) Be careful to translate this in a way that does not imply that the kingdom of God is being compared only to a man.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
Here is another illustration of what the Kingdom of God is like: A farmer planted seeds in a field (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
God’s kingdom is like what happens when a farmer scatters seed in a field (Contemporary English Version)
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This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground (New International Version)
-or-
Here is another illustration of what God’s reign/chieftancy is like:
The kingdom of God: The phrase The kingdom of God refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
God’s rule/reign
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s chieftaincy
-or-
God’s government
See also kingdom of God, Context 3, in the Glossary.
God: See how you translated God in 4:11b.
scatters seed on the ground: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scatters is literally “throw.” In that area of the world, farmers planted grain by throwing the seeds on the ground/soil in front and to the side of themselves. This is the same action as in 4:3b, but the verb is different.
The method of planting (scattering on the ground) is not important here. You may want to use the expression for the usual method of planting in your area or a general word for planting.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
sows
-or-
plants
If the verb or expression you use for the word scatters implies that the seed is scattered on the ground, the phrase on the ground may not be necessary.
seed: The word seed is singular in form but refers to many individual seeds. In some languages it may be more natural to use a plural form like “seeds” here.
In some languages there may be different words for different types of seeds. The seeds mentioned here are grain seeds.
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