The Gospel According to Saint Mark
Mark 4
Chapter IV · Vol. IV, pp. 116–117
1 The parable of the sower, 14 and the meaning thereof. 21 We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others. 26 The parable of the seed growing secretly, 30 and of the mustard-seed. 35 Christ stilleth a tempest by his word.
1 And hea began again to teach by the sea-side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he bentered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
a Mat.13.1-23. Lu.8.4-15.
3 Hearken;d Behold, there went out a sower to sow:1
d ver.9,23; ch.7.16.
1 Christ is the sower; his gospel truths the seed; careless hearers the way-side; Satan and his agents the fowls; professors affected, but not changed in heart, the stony ground; trouble and persecution the scorching sun; carnal cares the thorns; renewed hearts the good ground; their different degrees of grace and good works, their fruit.
4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way-side, and ethe fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
e Ge.15.11.
5 And some fell on gstony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
7 And isome fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
i Je.4.3.
8 And jother fell on good ground, and did kyield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
11 And he said unto them, oUnto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but unto them pthat are without,2 all these things are done in parables:
o Ep.1.9. Mat.13.11; 11.25; 16.17. 2 Co.4.6. 1 Co.1.18-31; 2.10-16.
p 1 Co.5.12. Col.4.5. 1 Th.4.12. 1 Ti.3.7.
2 Them that are without. Those who have not entered by faith into any of the courts of God's house—neither of the Gentiles nor of the Jews—who are characterized by our Lord himself (Rev. 22. 15) as 'dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.'—C.
12 Thatq seeing they may see, and not perceive;3 and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
q Mat.13.14,15. Lu.8.10. Jn.12.37-41. Ac.28.25-27. Ro.11.8, with Is.6.9,10. Je.5.21. Is.44.18.
8 The meaning may be stated thus: 'To the children of this world all things are delivered in parables, with the intent that (as the prophet says) since they have eyes to see, and ears to hear, yet perversely refuse to see the signs of the times, or the finger of God in my miracles with the one—or to hear the prophets, or my holy doctrines, with the other—they, as a just punishment for their sin, may neither hear nor understand, nor receive forgiveness. Is then the gospel so preached, that it is hid from any? Mark it, 'ye despisers, and wonder, and perish,' Ac. 13. 41. 'If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them,' 2 Co. 4. 4. Yea 'this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds be reproved,' Jn. 3. 19, 20.—C.
13 And he said unto them, rKnow ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
r 1 Co.3.1,2. He.5.12,13. Mat.15.16; 16.8,9. 2 Co.13.5. Lu.8.1. Ep.3.8. 1 Pe.1.23,25.
15 And these are tthey by the way-side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, uSatan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16 And these are vthey likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
v Mat.13.20,21. Lu.8.13. Is.58.2. Eze.33.31,32. ch.6.20. Jn.5.35. Ac.8.13.
17 And xhave no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.Cited in WLC 195
20 And zthese are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
z Lu.8.15. Jn.15.4,5. 2 Co.5.17. Ro.7.4. Ga.5.22,23. 2 Pe.1.4-9. Col.1.6-11; 2.2, with Ge.26.12.
21 Anda he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed?4 and not to be set on a candlestick?
a Mat.5.15. Lu.8.16; 11.33; 19.13. 1 Co.12.7.
4 Under a bed.—Rather, a couch, not unlike a modern sofa, with a cavity beneath more than sufficient to receive a candelabrum; and which, as appears from the authorities cited by Wetstein, was frequently used by the ancients as a general repository, answering to a modern buffet or cupboard.—C.
22 Forb there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
24 And he said unto them, dTake heed what ye hear: ewith what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you; and unto you that hear shall more be given.
25 Forg he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should jspring and grow up, he knoweth not how.5
j Ps.1.3; 92.13,14. Pr.4.18. Job 17.9. 2 Pe.3.18. 2 Co.3.18; 4.16.
5 The end of this parable is to show that when our Lord should have preached and confirmed his gospel, by his resurrection and the outpouring of his Spirit, he would then be received into heaven, and seem to leave the word to the mere impulse of natural causes—that is, to the judgment, liberality, effort, zeal—yea, to the very emulations, jealousies, and passions of men—yet during all this time he would be watching over his field with the eye of the skilful husbandman, and would cut down and gather it the moment it became ripe for the harvest either of life or condemnation.—C.
28 For kthe earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; lfirst the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.6
k Ge.1.11,12.
l Ec.3.1,11.
6 One lesson which may be drawn from this parable is, that a life of dreamy contemplation, and indolent reflection, whether in convent cell or desert cave, is not necessary to the development of true piety and purity. The truth when planted in the heart of man is nourished by a divine power. Its fruits appear when man is most active in the performance of life's various duties. No lawful duty can ever hinder or interfere with true religion.—P.
29 But mwhen the fruit is brought forth,7 immediately ohe putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
30 And he said, pWhereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31 It is like a grain of mustard-seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32 But when it is sown, it qgroweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
34 But swithout a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
s See ver.11. Lu.8.27,45.
35 Andt the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
t Mat.8.18,23. Lu.8.22. ch.3.9. Is.42.4.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the 8ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
8 In the ship from which he had taught.
37 Andu there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, vasleep on a pillow:9 and they awake him, and say unto him, xMaster, carest thou not that we perish?
v Ps.44.22,23; 10.1; 22.2. Is.45.15; 40.27. La.3.8.
9 On a pillow. Rather, 'On the pillow.'—supposed to be a stuffed leather cushion. But from the manner in which the seamen of every grade, and of every land, give names to the different parts of their vessels, it seems most probable that this pillow was merely a part of the wooden seat surrounding the stern of the boat, where, as the most convenient for passengers, our Lord lay asleep.—C.
x Mat.23.8-10. Jn.20.17. 2 Ch.14.11; 20.12. Ps.6.3,4; 69.1,2; 130.1,2. Is.63.15.
39 And he arose, and yrebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.1 And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
41 And they afeared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?2
a ch.5.33. Lu.8.25. Mat.8.27. Jonah 1.10,16. Ps.89.9; 65.7; 107.29. Job 38.11.
2 Mark's account of this miracle is wonderfully graphic. There is a dramatic power in it, which presents the whole scene to the mind with the vividness of reality. The miracle is also instructive. Christ our king and head rules the elements. Amid the fury of the tempest, amid the raging of the sea, when all human means of safety seem gone, the prayerful, faithful Christian is never beyond the reach of his Master's omnipotent arm.—P.
Notes
Ver. 26-29. As Mark very commonly relates the same facts as Matthew, so this is the only parable which Mark relates that is not mentioned by Matthew. The scope of it is to show that the gospel, being once published in the world in a gradual and mysterious manner, should produce a large church therein before the end of time; and that a vital principle of grace, being once planted in a soul, gradually and insensibly increases in strength, vigour, and appearance, and in fruits of holiness, which shall be graciously rewarded in the day of judgment.
Reflections.—Alas! that so much of God's truth should be sown in our world to so little purpose! Unfruitful hearers of the gospel are everywhere numerous; and they who mix faith with the word, to the salvation and sanctification of their souls, are, alas! very few. There is great need therefore to watch carefully against Satan, and the snares which arise from the pleasures, cares, and terrors of this world. Diligently should we consider how and what we hear; and look well to our hearts, that they be truly sincere and upright; yea, look upward for God's grace to render us fruitful in works of righteousness. Thrice happy is it to be the distinguished objects of Jesus' love, to know the secret of his grace, and to become careful improvers of whatever gifts or graces he hath given us, that we may abound therein! His work in his church, and in every renewed heart, may indeed be preserved, gradually increased, and at last perfected. In every storm his presence secures the safety of his church, and his word can silence all our fears and troubles. And while he remains the mighty God and Prince of Peace, we need never doubt either of his power or will to save to the uttermost.