The Greek adjective automatos means acting of itself, by itself, or spontaneously — without external agency. The origin of the English word 'automatic.' In the New Testament it appears twice: a gate that opens of its own accord, and grain that grows by itself. Both instances point to divine agency working invisibly.
Mark 4:28 — 'All by itself (automatē) the soil produces grain.' Jesus uses automatos to describe the mysterious, God-ordained process of growth that transcends human management — a parable of the kingdom: God's word, sown in hearts, has its own inner power. Acts 12:10 uses it of the iron gate that 'opened by itself' when Peter was miraculously released — divine deliverance that bypasses human categories.