What does "hear the word, receive it" mean in Mark 4:20? Setting the Scene • Parable of the Sower explained (Mark 4:14-20). • Four soils picture four responses to God’s “word,” the gospel. • Verse 20 describes the only soil that fulfills the farmer’s intent. Mark 4:20: “And those sown on the good soil are those who hear the word, receive it, and produce a crop—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold.” The Phrase in Focus “Hear the word, receive it” joins two verbs: 1. Hear (akouō) – literal listening, active attention. 2. Receive (paradechomai) – to welcome, accept, admit as true and binding. What It Means to Hear • Actual exposure to Scripture—read, preached, spoken (Romans 10:17). • Attentive, uncluttered listening (Proverbs 4:20-22). • Willingness to let God speak, not filtering Him out (Mark 4:23-24). What It Means to Receive • Warmly welcoming the message as God’s own (1 Thessalonians 2:13). • Embracing Christ personally—“to all who did receive Him…” (John 1:12). • Agreeing that the word has authority over beliefs, priorities, lifestyle (Acts 2:41). • Holding onto it with perseverance (Luke 8:15). Hearing + Receiving → Visible Harvest • Internal change becomes external “fruit” (Galatians 5:22-23). • Obedient action proves hearing was genuine (James 1:22). • Fruit varies (30, 60, 100×) but always appears. Practical Takeaways • Position yourself under Scripture regularly—in church, study, personal reading. • Listen with intention: silence distractions, pray for understanding, take notes. • Respond immediately: confess sin, adjust attitude, obey what God shows. • Guard the word—keep rehearsing, memorizing, sharing so it stays active. • Expect multiplication: God uses a receptive heart to bless others abundantly. Other Scripture Echoes • Matthew 13:23; Luke 8:15 – parallel accounts stress “understanding” and “persevering.” • Hebrews 4:2 – the word must be “mixed with faith” to profit. • Psalm 1:1-3 – delight in God’s law leads to fruit “in season.” Hearing is the gateway; receiving is the heart’s embrace. Together they unlock the life-producing power God designed His word to release. |
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