Mark 4

Parable of the Sower

Mark 4:1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

They pressed in to where he needed to be in the boat to be able to speak to them. Sound travels well upon the water. The Living Water of the word, the Spirit water of the Word is amplified by the natural water. Is not baptism both Spiritual and natural? The baptism of the Holy Spirit cannot be seen, as it is as the wind. The baptism in water is for the seeing of natural eyes, as a symbol of belief and identity with Jesus.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Using words like wind for Spirit and water for the word, are metaphors; sentences using a word to make a mental picture of another. An elaborate or pictorial way of expressing something.

Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Parables are stories, a story intended to teach a basic truth or moral principle. Jesus often used parables to be understood on two levels, the natural understanding and the Spiritual truth.

Mark 4:3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
Mark 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
Mark 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
Mark 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
Mark 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
Mark 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus intended that those who were of his spirit would be able to understand the spiritual story behind the natural story. He would explain the parable to his disciples.

Parable explained

Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

The disciples, including the twelve asked him for understanding of the parable.

Mark 4:11 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:
Mark 4:12 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.

Isa 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

The elect want to know more of God's truth. Those who are without, the mockers and enemies of Christ, do not want to hear. Often they ask questions only to sow doubt in the hearer, attempting to lead others away from God's truth in Jesus. They do not want answers, they ask questions in order to bring confusion and strife to the hearer. Those who are seeking more understanding from God listen, they ask questions for understanding.

Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

The disciples did not understand, but they wanted to understand. Jesus shows them how. We look for the spiritual meaning behind key words.

Mark 4:14 The sower soweth the word.

Here is the key word: the seed is the word of God.

Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

The wayside was hard soil, another key word, the ground the seed falls on are the hearts of people. Satan, the enemy of God comes to remove the word. How does he? First the person does not allow God's word in their heart, they reject it, Satan comes to speak words of doubt and words to condemn. They believe the liar and thief, instead of God's truth.

Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mark 4:17 And have 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.

Stony ground, not entirely hard, they are happy to receive the word, but they have no depth of soil. They do not wish to receive more word, so what they did receive withers and dies. The word is alive, but the stony heart did not make room for it. When trouble comes, the flesh reacts apart from God's spiritual word and they are upset, falling back to where they were before receiving the word.

Mark 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
Mark 4:19 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.

Those who hear the word, but allow the thorns to choke the word out. Thorns are the other things of this world who take over the attention and heart of the person. They are more concerned with the cares and things of the world. It may be troubles or the riches, power and pride of the world. They leave God's word to live as those of the world. These first three examples are not disciples of Jesus Christ. They may use his name, but they deny the power of the word and God's Spirit.

Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Good ground, good hearts that eagerly receive God's word and grow bringing forth much fruit. Fruit is the character of God in a life, the exercising of their Spiritual gifts and the results, in bringing others to Jesus or the building up of God's people.

Dan 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Light of God

Mark 4:21 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?

Let God's light shine through your life. We do not make excuses for not doing this. We witness, we are kind and gentle. We pray for others, we encourage, correct, love, restore the fallen. We reach the lost with the Word of God, show mercy. We are to do whatever we can to be like Jesus and to be His voice, arms and feet.

Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

Where there is light we see, there is nothing hidden, no darkness to hide things. We stumble in darkness, but where His light is we see things as they are. The light of God's word reveals the heart of a person.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Mark 4:23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Hear, give and receive

Mark 4:24 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.

We are careful to hear the word of God, for it is truth. What we hear we share with others. There is a principle here, that what ever you give out of God's things, we will receive more than we give.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Mark 4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

For he that has what? He that has heard the word of God and has obeyed the word, sharing with others; to him more will be given. One person entered our Bible study and said she was not interested in hearing God's word, the person just wanted fellowship. To me the best fellowship is with God, in his word, hearing his voice. In this way we increase. If we are faithful hearers and doers of his word, he will give us more. I want more of God, more wisdom and more usefulness to him. If we hear and share, he will give the increase. My words are empty, his words are food to our Spirit, the light and the truth of God for an eternal increase.

A final thought. Satan wants us to use our own thoughts, in fellowship without speaking the word of God. In this way he introduces his ideas and thoughts, that are contrary to the sound word of God. Debate and strife follow in these "fellowship" chat rooms. Do not put down your sword, the word of God. When you least expect it, the enemy will come at you with a pack of his wolves to devour you. Wear the armour of God and speak the word of God in the love of our Lord. Who knows, maybe someone will hear and another will receive salvation through your witness?

Kingdom Harvest

Mark 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

Listen to Jesus speaking: We already know in a parable the seed means God's word and the ground is a heart. So, the kingdom of God is as if a man should speak forth God's word into another's heart. Our responsibility before God is to broadcast his word.

Mark 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

The seed of the word will grow in a heart, depending on the readiness of the heart. It is of God, the work of God, not something we do, so we rest in Jesus.

Mark 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

The earth brings forth fruit, it is not the doing of the sower. All he did was plant the seed. Likewise, the word of God once planted, the growing depends on the kind of soil, or the readiness of the heart. God makes the word grow. What the heart does with the word, will be the end result. Satan may plant thorns, the heart may allow this to choke out the word. The thoughts of man or the world and the devil will take root too. What will come forth will depend on what was chosen by the heart and the will of the person.

Mark 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Will the harvest be good, a crop following the planting of God's word? If so this is the fruit of the kingdom of God. It depends on the heart and mind of the person. A yielded humble heart will increase the things of God. The person will want to grow the kingdom by planting God's word in other hearts. The sickle, the death of a person will mean the harvest is over, the good is gathered into God's house, the bad shall be burned.

Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Mustard Seed

Mark 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

Jesus continues to speak about the spiritual kingdom of God, now he uses a parable as a comparison.

Mark 4:31 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:

The tiniest seed sown in a heart, a little of God's word sown with faith:

Mark 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth 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.

This could be a parable of the church, all who profess to be Christians. The word in hearts has unusual growth; from a tiny start a great church grows. Suppose the seed was misunderstood? There would be error in the church, birds in the branches. The fowls of the air represent satan and his powers. In all who profess Christ, some are among us who are not of us. They come to take away the word.

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Mark 4:33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

Parables illustrate a message on two levels. The spiritual hearer should see spiritual things, the natural man just hears a story.

Mark 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Jesus always used parables when he spoke, later he would explain them to his closest disciples. Some people will not receive God's good message. There is a parable for them:

Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

The word falling on good ground will take root. If they will not receive the pure word, but abuse it and you, then speak to these in a parable, and move on. Remember, speak words of grace in love, do not give back angry words. They will see God in you.

1 Pet 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Calming the Storm

Mark 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
Mark 4:36 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.
Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

It was night, they were in a ship, a large boat and there were others following in small boats when a storm came suddenly. A great wind caused waves to beat into the ship, it was filled with water.

Mark 4:38 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?

Jesus was asleep on a pillow at the stern of the ship. He had found a place to lay his head after being so pressed by the crowd.

Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Never given much rest, again Jesus was awakened by the frightened disciples. Carest not that we perish? Oh yes he cares. He is not willing that any should perish. Yet, how many call upon him when in trouble, but when trouble passes, they soon forget their need of him? Speaking of foxes? Some have fox hole conversions, they promise to serve God while under fire, but when the danger passes, they ignore their promise.

Mark 4:39 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.

He immediately arose, Christ arose to meet their needs. Christ would arise from the grave to save us, there is no holding back the Son of God, when his own call upon him. Immediately the elements were teamed; Jesus has dominion over the earth, he spoke and there was a great calm. Is your life in a storm? Is your spiritual boat filling up, are you fearful? Call upon Jesus, trust in him, he calms the storm and brings great peace.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Where is that mustard seed faith? Did you think that you would perish when Jesus is with you?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

First they feared the sea, the wind and the sinking ship. Now they had a new kind of fear; the fear of God. They were sinful flesh, Jesus was God with them in the flesh, but without sin. They were aware of their weakness and sin and at the same time aware of God's mighty strength and holiness. This is the fear of God.

Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Fear God, repent and come to Jesus who gave his life and took it up again so that you may be saved from your weaknesses and receive God's forgiveness and strength. Life everlasting is the promise of Jesus to those who trust in him.

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