4:14

This verse begins the explanation of the parable. It may be more natural in your language to indicate that. For example:

The meaning of the parable is this: The farmer…

The farmer sows the word: The clause The farmer sows the word is a metaphor that explains the events of the parable. The farmer represents a person who tells the gospel to others. However, the phrase the word is part of the explanation. It may be more natural in your language to mention the seed also before explaining what it means. For example:

The farmer sows the seed that represents someone preaching the word.
-or-
Someone telling the word of God to others is like the farmer sowing/scattering the seed.

The farmer: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The farmer is literally “the one who sows.” It is the same phrase that is used in 4:3b. You should translate it in the same way here.

sows: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sows refers to a method of planting seeds. The farmer planted the seeds by throwing them to the side and in front of himself. This same word occurs in 4:3b.

the word: The phrase the word refers to God’s word, that is, what God’s says. If people in your area will not understand that, you may want to include the implied words. Here are some examples:

the word of God
-or-
God’s message (New Century Version)

The phrase “the word of God” means “the word that comes from God” or “the message that God has made known.” Jesus referred primarily to his own teaching.

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