Mark 4:7

4:7 Other seed fell among the thorns, ¹  and they grew up and choked it, ²  and it did not produce grain.

Mark 4:18-19

4:18 Others are the ones sown among thorns: They are those who hear the word, 4:19 but ³  worldly cares, the seductiveness of wealth, ⁴  and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, ⁵  and it produces nothing.

¹ sn Palestinian weeds like these thorns could grow up to six feet in height and have a major root system.

² sn That is, crowded out the good plants.

³ tn Grk “and.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

⁴ tn Grk “the deceitfulness of riches.” Cf. BDAG 99 s.v. ἀπάτη 1, “the seduction which comes from wealth.”

⁵ sn That is, their concern for spiritual things is crowded out by material things.