Bible Strands
Mark 4:17
But they themselves have no root, and they remain for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus explains the parable of the sower to His disciples, identifying the third group as those who hear the word with initial joy but lack spiritual depth.
The words — ῥίζαν (rhizan) means root, and ἐν ἑαυτοῖς (en heautois) means in themselves, indicating the absence of internal sustenance.
The thread — The warning against falling away connects to Matthew 11:6, 1 Thessalonians 3:3, and Matthew 12:31, which address endurance through trials and the finality of spiritual rejection.
Why it lands — It demands self-examination of whether one’s faith rests on transient emotion or enduring conviction, requiring readiness to endure hardship without abandoning the message.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
Cross-references
- Matthew 11:6 Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3 so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
- Matthew 12:31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
- John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.
- Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Job 19:28 If you say, ‘Let us persecute him, since the root of the matter lies with him,’
- Job 27:8 For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
- Matthew 13:21 But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
- Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
- Mark 4:5 Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.