καὶ ἄλλο ἔπεσεν εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας, καὶ ἀνέβησαν αἱ ἄκανθαι καὶ συνέπνιξαν αὐτό, καὶ καρπὸν οὐκ ἔδωκεν
Mark 4:7 continues the Parable of the Sower, presenting a scene of slow suffocation. Unlike the seed on the path or rocky ground, this one begins well—but is gradually overtaken. The Greek reveals a tragic progression: the seed falls, the thorns rise, and the potential is snuffed out. The structure builds a picture of fruitless promise, overtaken by competing forces.
Grammatical Foundations
ἄλλο ἔπεσεν—“another (seed) fell”—continues the narrative rhythm of the parable. The neuter singular ἄλλο refers back to the sown seed. The verb ἔπεσεν (aorist active indicative) marks a completed action.
εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας identifies the destination: “into the thorns.” The plural noun ἀκάνθας refers to thornbushes or brambles, indicating a weedy, unclean, and dangerous space for growth.
What happens next is a chain of actions: ἀνέβησαν αἱ ἄκανθαι—“the thorns came up.” The verb ἀνέβησαν (aorist active indicative) captures the rise of the thorns. Then συνέπνιξαν αὐτό—“they choked it.” The verb συνέπνιξαν is aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural from συμπνίγω, a compound meaning “to choke together,” implying entanglement and suffocation.
The final clause καὶ καρπὸν οὐκ ἔδωκεν (and it gave no fruit) uses ἔδωκεν (aorist active indicative, from δίδωμι) to express what did not happen. Despite its early growth, the seed proved unfruitful. The verb’s aorist tense underscores that this lack of fruit was final, not just delayed.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
This portion of the parable captures how life’s competing interests—riches, worries, desires—can overtake spiritual growth. The Greek συνέπνιξαν is intense and suffocating. It’s not that the plant failed to grow—it was growing alongside something hostile. The tragedy is not initial failure, but aborted potential.
The last phrase, καρπὸν οὐκ ἔδωκεν, strikes with finality. There was growth, but no harvest. Jesus will later interpret this seed as representing those overwhelmed by the cares of the world. The grammar here parallels the moral: surface vitality is no substitute for lasting fruit.
Linguistic and Historical Perspectives
ἀκάνθαι were associated with judgment and desolation in the Hebrew Bible (cf. Genesis 3:18). In agriculture, thorns represented neglect or curse. The verb συμπνίγω appears elsewhere in Luke 8:14 (parallel passage) and in Acts 27:20 for a ship “being overwhelmed”—highlighting its figurative range.
The phrase καρπὸν οὐκ ἔδωκεν uses δίδωμι (to give) to describe productivity—typical of agricultural idiom. In Koine usage, this phrasing marks whether something met its expected outcome or failed to fulfill its design.
Table: Verbal and Structural Features in Mark 4:7
| Text | Greek Verb / Phrase | Form | Function / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark 4:7 | ἔπεσεν | Aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular | “It fell”; action of the seed landing in thorns |
| Mark 4:7 | ἀνέβησαν | Aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural | “They came up”; the thorns rise and compete |
| Mark 4:7 | συνέπνιξαν | Aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural | “They choked”; overwhelming and suffocating the seed |
| Mark 4:7 | ἔδωκεν | Aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular | “It gave”; used here negatively—no fruit was produced |
The Verse as a Paradigm of Koine Greek Richness
Mark 4:7 presents a slow tragedy in compact Greek. The thorns don’t strike immediately—they rise up, wrap around, and finally choke. The string of aorist verbs depicts decisive events with irreversible results. And the final verdict—no fruit—starkly shows that good beginnings can still end in failure if competing forces are not removed. In Koine Greek, this isn’t just a farming metaphor; it’s a sobering call to self-examination.
