καὶ ἄλλο ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸ πετρῶδες, ὅπου οὐκ εἶχε γῆν πολλήν, καὶ εὐθέως ἐξανέτειλε διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς
Mark 4:5 continues the Parable of the Sower with a new scene—this time not the hard path, but the shallow, rocky ground. The Greek is descriptive and causally tight: every clause builds on the last, showing cause and effect in the plant’s short-lived success. The rhythm is brisk, echoing the burst of early growth that ends in failure.
Grammatical Foundations
ἄλλο ἔπεσεν—“another (seed) fell”—resumes the parable’s structure from verse 4. The subject ἄλλο is neuter singular, referring to another portion of the scattered seed. The verb ἔπεσεν (aorist active indicative) marks it as a single, completed event.
ἐπὶ τὸ πετρῶδες indicates the new landing spot: “on the rocky ground.” The adjective πετρῶδες means “rocky” or “stony,” and the preposition ἐπὶ with accusative expresses movement toward a specific location.
The relative clause ὅπου οὐκ εἶχε γῆν πολλήν explains the condition of the soil: “where it did not have much soil.” εἶχε is imperfect, showing continuous lack. The phrase emphasizes the shallowness of the environment—soil is present, but insufficient.
Then comes a shift in pace: καὶ εὐθέως ἐξανέτειλε—“and immediately it sprang up.” The adverb εὐθέως injects speed. The verb ἐξανέτειλε (aorist active indicative, from ἐξαντέλλω) conveys a sudden, upward growth—a flash of promise.
The causal clause διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς explains the cause: “because it did not have depth of soil.” This articular infinitive construction uses διὰ τὸ + infinitive (ἔχειν) to express reason. The phrase βάθος γῆς (depth of earth) is what was lacking—and what made the quick growth misleading.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
The grammar illustrates the peril of superficial reception. The seed does not fail immediately; it grows quickly—but without roots. The Greek draws attention to the cause-effect relationship: no depth, immediate sprouting, inevitable collapse (as verse 6 will show). The illusion of success masks inner deficiency.
Mark’s parable warns against enthusiasm without foundation. The aorists highlight how quickly it all happens. In the same way, hearers may receive the word with joy—but without depth, the joy is short-lived. The phrase μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς becomes a spiritual metaphor for shallowness of heart or lack of endurance.
Linguistic and Historical Perspectives
The use of ἐπὶ τὸ πετρῶδες reflects agricultural language familiar in rural Galilee. Rocky patches were common and hard to cultivate. The expression εὐθέως ἐξανέτειλε would resonate with anyone who had seen plants burst from shallow soil only to wither.
Grammatically, the structure διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν shows how Koine Greek elegantly communicates reason and cause. It’s a construction found often in narrative and theological explanation throughout the Gospels.
Table: Verbal and Structural Features in Mark 4:5
| Text | Greek Verb / Phrase | Form | Function / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark 4:5 | ἔπεσεν | Aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular | “It fell”; introduces the new seed landing |
| Mark 4:5 | εἶχε | Imperfect active indicative, 3rd person singular | “It was having”; continuous lack of deep soil |
| Mark 4:5 | ἐξανέτειλε | Aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular | “It sprang up”; sudden but shallow growth |
| Mark 4:5 | διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν | Preposition + articular infinitive with negation | “Because it did not have”; expresses the reason for quick sprouting |
The Verse as a Paradigm of Koine Greek Richness
Mark 4:5 is a tight-knit parable clause that captures a whole spiritual trajectory in a few Greek phrases. The verbs act fast, but the reason lingers—lack of depth. The Greek grammar doesn’t just narrate—it diagnoses. In Koine Greek, this parable becomes a mirror: how quickly do we respond to the word? And how deep do our roots go?
