An Exegetical Analysis of Mark 4:29: The Meaning of παραδῷ in the Parable of the Growing Seed
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Analysis of Mark 4:29: The Meaning of παραδῷ in the Parable of the Growing Seed is based on a b-greek discussion from May 4th, 2014.
The initial discussion centers on the precise meaning of the verb παραδῷ in Mark 4:29. While BDAG suggests the meaning “allow” or “permit,” an intuitive reading within the agricultural context of the parable might lead one to interpret it as “ripen.” This discrepancy forms the basis of the subsequent academic inquiry.
The main exegetical issue revolves around the semantic range and idiomatic usage of παραδίδωμι (specifically its aorist subjunctive form, παραδῷ) when its subject is an inanimate object, ὁ καρπός (the crop or fruit). The challenge is to reconcile the verb’s active voice and its established lexical meanings of “deliver,” “hand over,” “allow,” or “permit” with the natural progression of agricultural growth. The discussion seeks to determine whether “ripen” is a legitimate idiomatic extension, an implied meaning, or an inaccurate translation given the lexical evidence and grammatical structure.
Καὶ ἔλεγεν, Οὕτως ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ, ὡς ἐὰν ἄνθρωπος βάλῃ τὸν σπόρον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ καθεύδῃ καὶ ἐγείρηται νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ ὁ σπόρος βλαστάνῃ καὶ μηκύνηται ὡς οὐκ οἶδεν αὐτός. Αὐτομάτη γὰρ ἡ γῆ καρποφορεῖ, πρῶτον χόρτον, εἶτα στάχυν, εἶτα πλήρη σῖτον ἐν τῷ στάχυϊ. Ὅταν δὲ παραδῷ ὁ καρπός, εὐθέως ἀποστέλλει τὸ δρέπανον, ὅτι παρέστηκεν ὁ θερισμός. (Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- In v. 26, the provided text includes ἐὰν before ἄνθρωπος, whereas SBLGNT (2010) omits it.
- In v. 28, the provided text includes γὰρ after Αὐτομάτη, whereas SBLGNT (2010) omits it.
Textual Criticism (NA28), Lexical Notes (BDAG, LSJ):
The textual integrity of παραδῷ in Mark 4:29 is generally strong, with the aorist subjunctive παραδῷ being the widely accepted reading in critical editions like NA28. However, an important early variant is noted from Papyrus 45 (P⁴⁵, designated β/03 in the discussion), which preserves ΠΑΡΑΔΟΙ (an optative form) instead of ΠΑΡΑΔΩ. The discussion indicates that a later hand in Codex Sinaiticus (ℵ/01) changed an initial reading of ΠΑΡΑΔΟΙ to ΠΑΡΑΔΩ, with Codex Alexandrinus (Α/02) and subsequent manuscripts aligning with ΠΑΡΑΔΩ. The use of the aorist subjunctive with ὅταν is grammatically standard for expressing a general future condition (“whenever,” “when it happens that”), which aligns with the narrative context of the parable. The optative variant παραδοι (if original) would suggest a more hypothetical or potential condition, but its external support is comparatively weaker, and the subjunctive is semantically more fitting for a certain, recurring event in nature. Thus, NA28 and SBLGNT rightly adopt παραδῷ.
Lexically, the verb παραδίδωμι (παραδῷ being the aorist subjunctive) carries a broad range of meanings. According to BDAG, sense 4 is particularly relevant here: “to make it possible for someth. to happen, allow, permit.” This entry cites examples where the subject is impersonal or a circumstance, such as ὁ θεός (God), οἱ καιροί (the times), or τῆς ὥρας (the hour/season), all acting as agents that permit or make something possible. This usage, paralleled by an entry in LSJ (quoted as λσψ in the discussion), which defines its meaning as “grant, bestow, offer, allow” and specifically “permit” with impersonal subjects like ὁ θεός or οἱ καιροί, strongly suggests an idiomatic construction. The LSJ entry further notes “πότμου παραδόντος” and “τῆς ὥρας παραδιδούσης,” reinforcing the idea of an enabling condition.
While the discussion does not directly cite Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) for this specific passage, the lexical data from BDAG and LSJ sufficiently illustrate the primary exegetical contention regarding παραδίδωμι.
Translation Variants
The phrase under examination is Ὅταν δὲ παραδῷ ὁ καρπός. Grammatically, Ὅταν with the aorist subjunctive παραδῷ indicates a temporal clause expressing a general future condition, translated as “whenever” or “when” a specific condition is met. The verb παραδίδωμι, in its active aorist subjunctive form, takes ὁ καρπός (the crop/fruit) as its subject.
The central debate revolves around how παραδίδωμι functions with ὁ καρπός as an active subject in an agricultural context. One interpretation, arising from the natural sequence of growth, suggests “when the crop ripens.” This understanding posits that the verb might idiomatically denote the completion of the ripening process, making it ready for harvest. The aorist would then emphasize the decisive point of completion.
However, the lexical evidence from BDAG and LSJ points to a different nuance: the meaning “allow” or “permit” when the subject is not a volitional agent but an enabling condition (like “God permits,” “the times permit,” or “the weather permitting”). In this view, ὁ καρπός is understood as reaching a state where its condition “permits” or “allows” the harvest. The active voice of παραδῷ, despite having an inanimate subject, is preserved through this idiomatic interpretation. The aorist subjunctive emphasizes the moment this permission/readiness comes into effect, signaling the opportune time for the reaper to act.
Rhetorically, the parable highlights the automatic, God-initiated growth of the seed, independent of human effort, until the point of harvest. The phrase Ὅταν δὲ παραδῷ ὁ καρπός therefore marks the divine timing and readiness of the creation for its intended purpose. It is not the crop actively “doing” something volitional to “allow,” but rather its natural state of maturity that creates the condition for the next stage. This aligns with the passive role of the sower and the emphasis on the intrinsic power of the seed itself (ὡς οὐκ οἶδεν αὐτός. Αὐτομάτη γὰρ ἡ γῆ καρποφορεῖ).
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
Based on the lexical evidence and grammatical analysis, the interpretation of παραδῷ as “allow” or “permit” in an idiomatic sense, akin to “weather permitting,” appears to be the most accurate. While “ripen” captures the agricultural reality that precedes the harvest, it is likely an implied consequence rather than the direct semantic meaning of παραδίδωμι in this construction. The aorist subjunctive emphasizes the completion of the state that enables the harvest.
Suggested translations for Ὅταν δὲ παραδῷ ὁ καρπός:
- “But when the crop permits,” This translation directly reflects the idiomatic lexical meaning of “allow” or “permit” with an inanimate subject, emphasizing the crop’s readiness as the enabling condition.
- “But when the crop yields,” This offers an alternative, concise rendering that implies the crop’s readiness to be given over or presented for harvest, consistent with the broader semantic range of παραδίδωμι.
- “But when the crop is ready for harvest,” This provides a functional translation that captures the implied meaning of the idiom in clear, natural English, focusing on the state of the crop that allows the next action.