The Sower and The Shallow

Mark 4:1-20

Mark 4:5

⸀ὅπου οὐκ εἶχεν γῆν πολλήν (where it did not have soil much...)

τὸ μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς (it did not have (any) depth of soil)

These two expressions where not uncommon to the mindset of first century Jews, it was written in Sirach 40:15 “The children of the ungodly put out few branches; they are unhealthy roots on sheer rock..”

This idea of shallow soil was not just an indication of the individual lack of receptiveness to God but also a statement about the whole community where they were raised. “The children of the ungodly...” Yet regardless the seed gets spread to them without discrimination.

Mark 4:6

This soil has a three fold description:

It did not much soil,

It did not have any depth,

It did not have enough root.

Which the last statement is also emphatic.

So much attention is given to the shallowness of this soil because the sun is going to rise on every plant but not every plant is going to be ⸀ἐκαυματίσθη (it was scorched).

The word of God as we will see has to be rooted firmly in our hearts. It can’t be a mere activity of convenience.

Applications:

Reflect on areas in your personal life where you may have become hardened or closed off, like the rocky soil in the parable. Consider if there are relationships or emotions that you need to soften and make more receptive to God's message of love and grace.