This may not be of much scholarly interest or theological significance,
but the following variations in translating Mark 4:28 seem curious:
grk: prwton corton eita stacun eita plhrh siton en tw stacui
kjv: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear
nas: first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head
niv: first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head
In lieu of the those shown above, is it possible that corton = blade,
stacun = stalk, and siton = grain ?
"stalk" seems almost a transliteration of "stacun" and various sources
state that "stacun" is derived from the root "sta" which generally means
"to stand" (as the stem of a plant stands up). Since the logical progression
of much plant life is first the blade sprouts out of a seed, then a stem
stands up, and finally fruit appears on the stem, it seems that "stacun"
should be translated "stalk."
Any comments?