Mark Chapter 4
1 Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea, and sat down. All the multitude were on the land by the sea.
2 He taught them many things in parables, and told them in his teaching,
3 "Listen! Behold, the farmer went out to sow,
4 and as he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and devoured it.
5 Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil.
6 When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
7 Others fell amongst the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8 Others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some produced thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much."
9 He said, "Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."
10 When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
11 He said to them, "To you is given the mystery of God's Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,
12 that 'seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.' "
13 He said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables?
14 The farmer sows the word.
15 The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which has been sown in them.
16 These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy.
17 They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble.
18 Others are those who are sown amongst the thorns. These are those who have heard the word,
19 and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20 Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times."
21 He said to them, "Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn't it put on a stand?
22 For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light.
23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear.
25 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he who doesn't have, even that which he has will be taken away from him."
26 He said, "God's Kingdom is as if a man should cast seed on the earth,
27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, though he doesn't know how.
28 For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
29 But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."
30 He said, "How will we liken God's Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
31 It's like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth,
32 yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow."
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.
34 Without a parable he didn't speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let's go over to the other side."
36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him.
37 A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, "Teacher, don't you care that we are dying?"
39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?"
41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Footnotes
- Verse 4 (the birds)
- Textus Receptus adds "of the air"
- Verse 12
- Isaiah 6:9-10
- Verse 21 (basket)
- literally, a modion, a dry measuring basket containing about a peck (about 9 litres)
Version: World English Bible
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Mark Chapter 4 Guide
In verses Mark 4:1-2; Mark 4:10-12, we have the explanation of the reason of the parabolic teaching of Jesus. He clothed divine truth in picture forms that men might more easily look upon it and learn it, just as He Himself was veiled in human form that men might have some vision of God suited to their capacity.
In verses Mark 4:3-9; Mark 4:13-20, we have the parable of the sower. He is the Sower. The results following His sowing are indifference, shallowness, insincerity, fruit.
The illustration of the lamp reveals the responsibility entailed by privilege. Light is bestowed that it may lighten.
The parable of development (verses Mark 4:26-29) is peculiar to Mark's Gospel. It is concerned with the responsibility of the disciples for sowing the seed and gathering the harvest. The parable of the grain of mustard seed we have dealt with in Matthew, to which we may refer.
One of the most beautiful touches in this narrative, though full of sadness, is contained in the words, "They take Him with them, men as He was, in the boat." It reveals the weariness of the Master, and how at His word they hurriedly departed with Him that He might have opportunity for rest. How much better had they not disturbed Him. Far better to weather a storm in perfect confidence in Him than to enter a calm He creates, if the price of it is a rebuke from His lips for lack of faith.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Mark Chapter 4 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The parable of the sower. -- (1-20)
- Other parables. -- (21-34)
- Christ stills the tempest. -- (35-41)
Verses 1-20
This parable contained instruction so important, that all capable of hearing were bound to attend to it. There are many things we are concerned to know; and if we understand not the plain truths of the gospel, how shall we learn those more difficult! It will help us to value the privileges we enjoy as disciples of Christ, if we seriously consider the deplorable state of all who have not such privileges. In the great field of the church, the word of God is dispensed to all. Of the many that hear the word of the gospel, but few receive it, so as to bring forth fruit. Many are much affected with the word for the present, who yet receive no abiding benefit. The word does not leave abiding impressions upon the minds of men, because their hearts are not duly disposed to receive it. The devil is very busy about careless hearers, as the fowls of the air go about the seed that lies above ground. Many continue in a barren, false profession, and go down to hell. Impressions that are not deep, will not last. Many do not mind heart-work, without which religion is nothing. Others are hindered from profiting by the word of God, by abundance of the world. And those who have but little of the world, may yet be ruined by indulging the body. God expects and requires fruit from those who enjoy the gospel, a temper of mind and Christian graces daily exercised, Christian duties duly performed. Let us look to the Lord, that by his new-creating grace our hearts may become good ground, and that the good seed of the word may produce in our lives those good words and works which are through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God the Father.
Verses 21-34
These declarations were intended to call the attention of the disciples to the word of Christ. By his thus instructing them, they were made able to instruct others; as candles are lighted, not to be covered, but to be placed on a candlestick, that they may give light to a room. This parable of the good seed, shows the manner in which the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. Let but the word of Christ have the place it ought to have in a soul, and it will show itself in a good conversation. It grows gradually: first the blade; then the ear; after that the full corn in the ear. When it is sprung up, it will go forward. The work of grace in the soul is, at first, but the day of small things; yet it has mighty products even now, while it is in its growth; but what will there be when it is perfected in heaven!
Verses 35-41
Christ was asleep in the storm, to try the faith of his disciples, and to stir them up to pray. Their faith appeared weak, and their prayers strong. When our wicked hearts are like the troubled sea which cannot rest, when our passions are unruly, let us think we hear the law of Christ, saying, Be silent, be dumb. When without are fightings, and within are fears, and the spirits are in a tumult, if he say, "Peace, be still," there is a great calm at once. Why are ye so fearful? Though there may be cause for some fear, yet not for such fear as this. Those may suspect their faith, who can have such a thought as that Jesus careth not though his people perish. How imperfect are the best of saints! Faith and fear take their turns while we are in this world; but ere long, fear will be overcome, and faith will be lost in sight.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.