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Mark Chapter
Four
Mark 4
This introduces the true character and result of His own
service, and all the history of the service that should be accomplished unto a
far distant future; as well as the responsibility of His disciples, with regard
to the share they would have in it, and the quietness of one who trusted in God
while thus labouring; the storms also that should occur, that should exercise
faith while Jesus apparently took no notice of them; and the just confidence of
faith, as well as the power that sustained it.
The whole character of the work at that moment, and until the Lord's
return, is described in this fourth chapter.
The Lord resumes in it His habitual work of instruction,
but in connection with the development that had just taken place of His
relationship with the Jews. He sows. Fruit He no longer sought in His vineyard.
In verse 11 we see that the distinction between the Jews and His disciples is
marked. To the latter it was given to know the mystery of the kingdom, but to
those that were without all these things were done in parables. I do not repeat
the remarks I made in speaking of the contents of this parable in Matthew. But
that which follows in verse 21 belongs essentially to the Gospel by Mark. We
have seen that the Lord was occupied in preaching the gospel of the kingdom,
and He committed the preaching of this gospel to others also. He was a sower,
and He sowed the word. That was His service, and it was theirs likewise. But is
a candle lit to be hidden? Moreover nothing should be hidden. If man did not
manifest the truth he had received, God would manifest all things. Let every
one take heed to it.
In verse 24 He applies this principle to His disciples.
They must take heed to what they heard, for God would act towards them
according to their fidelity in the administration of the word committed to
them. The love of God sent the word of grace and of the kingdom unto men. That
it should reach their conscience was the object of the service committed to the
disciples. Christ communicated it to them; they were to make it known to others
in all its fulness. According to the measure with which they gave free course
to this testimony of love (conformably to the gift they had received), so
should it be measured unto them in the government of God. If they hearkened
unto that which He communicated to them, they should receive more; for, as a
general principle, he who made that which reached him his own should have yet
more, and from him who did not truly make it his own it should be taken away.
The Lord then shews them how it should be with regard to
Himself. He had sown, and, even as the seed springs up and grows without any
act on the sower's part, so would Christ allow the gospel to spread in the
world without interposing in any apparent way, it being the peculiar character
of the kingdom that the King was not there. But, when harvest time comes, the
sower has again to-do with it. So should it be with Jesus: He would return to
look after the harvest. He was personally engaged in the sowing and in the
harvest. In the interval, all went on apparently as if left to itself, really
without the interference of the Lord in Person.
The Lord makes use of another similitude to describe the character of
the kingdom. The small seed that He sowed should become a great system, highly
exalted in the earth, capable of affording temporal protection to those that
took shelter in it. Thus we have the work of preaching the word; the
responsibility of the labourers to whom the Lord would entrust it during His
absence; His own action at the beginning and at the end, at seed-time and at
harvest, Himself remaining at a distance during the interval; and the formation
of a great earthly power as the result of the truth which He preached, and
which created a little nucleus around Himself. One part of the history of His
followers was yet to be shewn. They should find most serious difficulties in
their way. The enemy would raise up a storm against them. Apparently Christ
took no notice of their situation. They call upon Him, and awake Him by cries,
which He answers in grace. He speaks to the wind and the sea, and there is a
great calm. At the same time He rebukes their unbelief. They should have
counted on Him and on His divine power, and not have thought that He was going
to be swallowed up by the waves. They should have remembered their own
connection with Him-that, by grace, they were associated with Him. What
tranquillity was His! the storm does not disturb Him. Devoted to His work, He
took His rest at the moment when service did not require His activity. He
rested during the passage. His service only afforded Him those moments snatched
by circumstances from labour. His divine tranquillity, which knew no distrust,
allowed Him to sleep during the storm. It was not so with the disciples; and,
forgetful of His power, unaware of the glory of Him who was with them, they
think only of themselves, as though Jesus had forgotten them. One word on His
part displays in Him the Lord of creation. This is the real state of the
disciples when Israel is set aside. The storm arises. Jesus appears to take no
heed. Now faith would have recognised that they were in the same ship with Him.
That is to say, if Jesus leaves the seed He has sown to grow until the harvest,
He is, none the less, in the same vessel; He shares, not the less truly, the
lot of His followers, or rather they share His. The dangers are the danger He
and His work are in. That is, there is really none. And how great is the
foolishness of unbelief. Think of their supposing, when the Son of God is come
into the world to accomplish redemption and the settled purposes of God, that
by, to man's eye, an accidental storm, He and all His work should be
unexpectedly sunk in the lake! We are, blessed be His name, in the same boat
with Him. If the Son of God does not sink, neither shall we.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Mark》
Mark 4
Chapter Contents
The parable of the sower. (1-20) Other parables. (21-34)
Christ stills the tempest. (35-41)
Commentary on Mark 4:1-20
(Read Mark 4:1-20)
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.
Commentary on Mark 4:21-34
(Read Mark 4:21-34)
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!
Commentary on Mark 4:35-41
(Read Mark 4:35-41)
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.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Mark》
Mark 4
Verse 2
[2] And
he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
He taught them many things by parables — After the usual manner of the eastern nations, to make his instructions
more agreeable to them, and to impress them the more upon attentive hearers. A
parable signifies not only a simile or comparison, and sometimes a proverb, but
any kind of instructive speech, wherein spiritual things are explained and
illustrated by natural, Proverbs 1:6.
To understand a proverb and the
interpretation — The proverb is the literal sense, the
interpretation is the spiritual resting in the literal sense killeth, but the
spiritual giveth life.
Verse 3
[3] Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
Hearken —
This word he probably spoke with a loud voice, to stop the noise and hurry of
the people.
Verse 10
[10] And
when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the
parable.
When he was alone —
That is, retired apart from the multitude.
Verse 11
[11] And
he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of
God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
To them that are without — So the Jews termed the heathens: so our Lord terms all obstinate
unbelievers: for they shall not enter into his kingdom: they shall abide in
outer darkness.
Verse 12
[12] That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and
not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins
should be forgiven them.
So that seeing they see and do not perceive — They would not see before now they could not, God having given them up
to the blindness which they had chosen.
Verse 13
[13] And
he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all
parables?
Know ye not this parable? — Which is as it were the foundation of all those that I shall speak
hereafter; and is so easy to be understood?
Verse 19
[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.
The desire of other things choke the word — A deep and important truth! The desire of any thing, otherwise than as
it leads to happiness in God, directly tends to barrenness of soul.
Entering in —
Where they were not before. Let him therefore who has received and retained the
word, see that no other desire then enter in, such as perhaps till then he
never knew.
It becometh unfruitful — After the fruit had grown almost to perfection.
Verse 21
[21] And
he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a
bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
And he said, Is a candle — As if he had said, I explain these things to you, I give you this light,
not to conceal, but to impart it to others. And if I conceal any thing from you
now, it is only that it may be more effectually manifested hereafter. Matthew 5:15; Luke 8:16; 11:33.
Verse 22
[22] For
there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept
secret, but that it should come abroad.
Verse 24
[24] And
he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall
be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Take heed what ye hear — That is, attend to what you hear, that it may have its due influence
upon you.
With what measure you mete — That is, according to the improvement you make of what you have heard,
still farther assistance shall be given.
And to you that hear — That is, with improvement.
Verse 25
[25] For
he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be
taken even that which he hath.
He that hath —
That improves whatever he has received, to the good of others, as well as of
his own soul. Matthew 13:12; Luke 8:18.
Verse 26
[26] And
he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the
ground;
So is the kingdom of God — The inward kingdom is like seed which a man casts into the ground - This
a preacher of the Gospel casts into the heart. And he sleeps and rises night
and day - That is, he has it continually in his thoughts. Meantime it springs
and grows up he knows not how - Even he that sowed it cannot explain how it
grows. For as the earth by a curious kind of mechanism, which the greatest
philosophers cannot comprehend, does as it were spontaneously bring forth first
the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear: so the soul, in an
inexplicable manner, brings forth, first weak graces, then stronger, then full
holiness: and all this of itself, as a machine, whose spring of motion is
within itself. Yet observe the amazing exactness of the comparison. The earth
brings forth no corn (as the soul no holiness) without both the care and toil
of man, and the benign influence of heaven.
Verse 29
[29] But
when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because
the harvest is come.
He putteth in the sickle — God cutteth down and gathereth the corn into his garner.
Verse 30
[30] And
he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison
shall we compare it?
Verse 33
[33] And
with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear
it.
He spake the word as they were able to hear
it — Adapting it to the capacity of his hearers; and
speaking as plain as he could without offending them. A rule never to be
forgotten by those who instruct others.
Verse 35
[35] And
the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto
the other side.
Verse 36
[36] And
when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the
ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
They take him as he was in the vessel — They carried him immediately in the same vessel from which he had been
preaching to the people.
Verse 38
[38] And
he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him,
and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
On the pillow — So
we translate it, for want of a proper English expression, for that particular
part of the vessel near the rudder, on which he lay.
Verse 39
[39] And
he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the
wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Peace —
Cease thy tossing: Be still - Cease thy roaring; literally, Be thou gagged.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Mark》
Chapter 4. The Parable of the Sower
Listen by the
Sea
Ask in the House
I. Four
Different Grounds
II. The Other
Three Parables
III. A Great
Windstorm Arises
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
The Growing Seed (Mk 4:26-29)
INTRODUCTION
1. Up to this point our study has focused on parables found in Matthew's gospel... a. Many were found only in Matthew, though some are also found in the other gospels b. We skipped a couple of parables found in Matthew that we will examine later in one of the other gospels 2. In this lesson, however, we shall examine a parable that is found only in the gospel of Mark a. It is called "The Growing Seed" b. And it is recorded in Mk 4:26-29 (Read) 3. The setting of this parable appears to be the same occasion in which Jesus told... a. The parable of "The Sower" - cf. Mk 4:1-20 b. The parable of "The Mustard Seed" - cf. Mk 4:30-32 ...therefore it was at the point in Jesus' ministry when He begin to teach publicly in parables [Let's begin by taking a closer look the parable itself...] I. THE PARABLE ANALYZED
A. WHAT THIS PARABLE REVEALS ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD 1. It describes how the Word of God produces fruit (i.e., how the kingdom grows) a. While the "seed" is not identified in this parable as the Word of God... b. ...it was defined as such in the parable of "The Sower" - cf. Mk 4:14; Lk 8:11 2. The growth produced by the Word... a. Is a mystery - Mk 4:26-28a 1) The sower can sow the seed and see it sprout and grow 2) But the growth is beyond his comprehension, and even grows by itself b. Is gradual - Mk 4:28b 1) It doesn't all occur at once 2) But step by step: first the blade, then the head, then the full grain 3. But through such growth the harvest eventually comes - Mk 4:29 -- So the kingdom of God being planted, is similar to the amazing growth observed in the sowing of grain B. COMPARING THIS PARABLE WITH THE ONE OF "THE SOWER"... 1. The parable of "The Sower" emphasizes human responsibility a. The seed did not produce the desired fruit unless it fell on good soil b. It takes "a good and noble heart" for the seed to produce fruit! - cf. Lk 8:15 2. But the parable of "The Growing Seed" stresses the divine power within the Word a. A "good and noble heart" cannot bear fruit by itself! b. It takes a seed that has within itself the power to germinate and grow in good soil 3. And this parable emphasizes the need for those who sow to trust and hope in the power of the seed, i.e., the Word of God [Yes, the Word is the "seed" which contains the power for spiritual life and growth when planted in the soil of a good and noble heart! We may not be able to understand the true working of that power, but this parable illustrates how we can still use it! That we might utilize this powerful seed more often and more successfully, consider a few more thoughts as we talk about...] II. THE PARABLE APPLIED
A. THE WORD OF GOD IS A POWERFUL "SEED"... 1. It can cause us to be "born again" - 1 Pe 1:22-25; Ja 1:18 2. It can help us to "grow" - 1 Pe 2:1-2 3. It can indeed "save your souls" - Ja 1:21 -- All of this is possible because the Word of God is living and powerful, filled with Spirit-giving life - He 4:12; Jn 6:63 B. THERE ARE TWO WAYS 1. By receiving it into our own hearts a. Here we are talking about the growth of the kingdom of God in our lives b. Of course, we must receive it properly 1) With a good and noble heart - Lk 8:15; cf. Ac 17:11 2) With meekness - Ja 1:21 3) As babies longing for their mothers' milk - 1 Pe 2:2 -- All the while "laying aside" those things that would "choke" out the Word in our lives- cf. Ja 1:21; 1 Pe 2:1 c. When so received, growth will occur 1) But remember the parable, for the growth is gradual 2) "first the blade, then the head, after that the fullgrain in the head..." - Mk 4:28
-- Therefore the need to continue to feed upon the Word of God, "that you may grow thereby" - 1 Pe 2:2 2. By sowing it as far and wide as we possibly can a. Here we are talking about the growth of the kingdom of God in the world b. Like the sower in the parable of "The Sower", we must sow the seed everywhere c. But like the sower in the parable of "The Growing Seed", we must remember... 1) Growth comes only through the divine power of the seed a) It is God who gives the increase b) We are simply "seed-throwers" and "water-boys" - cf. 1 Co 3:5-7 2) Growth comes in stages, not all at once a) There will be days when all we seem to be doing is "sowing" b) There will be days when all we seem to be doing is "waiting" -- Like the farmer, then, we must be patient - cf. Ja 5:7
CONCLUSION
1. The general lesson in the parable of "The Growing Seed" is this: a. In the kingdom of God laborers together with God b. The results of our work depend on Him, and for the perfection of these results He takes His own time 2. This being the case... a. It is our duty to sow the seed (the Word of God), it is up to God to give the increase - cf. 1 Co 3:6-9 b. Having sown the seed, we must wait for time and God to perfect the growth - cf. Ph 1:6 c. The growth that comes will do so in gradual stages d. Not until there has been time for development are we to expect to reap 3. Therefore this parable teaches us to trust and hope in power of the Word of God a. Do we trust in its power to save the lost? 1) Or do we look to gimmicks designed by men? 2) The gospel is God's power to save! - cf. Ro 1:16-17 b. Do we trust in its power to save your own soul? 1) Or do we look to self-help methods that promise but really can't deliver? 2) The Word of God is what is capable of saving our souls! - cf. Ja 1:21 Are you sowing the seed of the kingdom, brother? Both in the world, and in your own life as well...?
－－《Executable
Outlines》