Mark - Chapter 4
4:1-9
The Parable of the Soils:
Using a boat as His pulpit allowed Jesus to teach without the press of the crowd on Him. It also made His voice carry better when He was on the water and the crowd was on the land nearby. Here this setting begins our chapter and quickly we are told Jesus taught them many things in parables. The word parable literally means “to set along side” meaning here that a spiritual truth was set along side a daily truth of life.
The first parable was of the sower. A man sowing seed went out to do his work and in spreading the seed, some fell on soil beside the sowing area (the wayside),
some fell on rocky ground, and some on thorny areas while some of the seed fell on good ground for growing. This parable might better be known as the parable of the sower, for the seeds were all good, just sown on different ground. Of the seed that fell on good ground some bore more growth than other seed. All the good ground seed produced, but some more than others.
4:10-12
The Purpose of Parables:
The twelve ask Jesus about His teaching in parables as the true meaning of this type of teaching was not yet understood by them. Jesus told them that they had been chosen to have the mystery of the kingdom to come but others needed to be taught by the use of parable stories that related to their everyday lives. Even in this simple initial parable, there was not understanding among the twelve. Jesus explains that to those who are “outside” their group the use of parables was so that they see but do not perceive. So Jesus now explains the parable to the twelve to begin their instruction, saying the sower sows the word and thereby gave them the key to understanding. He quotes from Isaiah 6:9 to explain that those who came to understanding had to seriously use insight to grasp the meanings of his teachings, luring those who are serious toward His truth.
4:13-20
The Sower Explained:
The word given is like the seed that was sown. Some people have beaten down hearts, hardened like the wayside, and therefore not able to see the word take root. Satan comes quickly to remove the seed (word) from their hearts. Hard hearts must be plowed to allow the word to germinate and grow. Satan works hard to assure that process does not happen.
Some hearts hear the word and are glad but their hearts also reject and these are like stony ground. Satan is not directly working but tribulation overcomes their insight and no seed roots for long. Some hearts are like thorny ground, accepting the seed of the word but then choking it out with spiritual thorns that overwhelm it. Those with good hearts of fertile ground accept the seed (word) and it germinates, grows and pays many times over in filling the fertile ground of the heart. The Pharisees were good examples of this parable. They heard His teaching but their hearts were stony ground at best and the word could not find a place to root and grow.
4:21-23
The Responsibility of Those Who Understood:
These whose hearts understood the true meaning of the parable seed, the word, are responsible to publish the truth by their lives and teaching. A lamp that is lit is for light, not to be hidden away. If you have the truth, there is a solemn responsibility to share it and to pass it onward to those who have not yet received it.
4:24-25
Who Is Accountable:
When we hear the word and are given it with insight, understanding through our own discerning, we are to take heed and understand that God will respond to us just as we have responded to Him. Those who come to have will have more desire to hear and more understanding. Spiritual growth is a habit of momentum.
4:26-29
Parable of Growing Seed:
Man is to plant the seed of the word, and God will give the increase. God had promised in Isaiah 55:11 that His word will not return to Him void. When man sows and works, and God grants the increase, the harvest will come. This is the glory of the work of Jesus in each saved person.
4:30-34
The Mustard Seed:
Jesus here reminds us that size and status are not the factors that determine results. The seed of the mustard is among the smallest of all seeds but it can grow and provide shelter and home to many birds in its branches.
When Jesus and the disciples were alone, He explained the parable to them.
This did not necessarily mean some of those taught missed the meaning, but the Lord wanted to be sure His chosen twelve did understand it.
4:35-39
Jesus Rebukes the Storm:
After all these teachings, Jesus and the disciples set out by boat to cross the sea of Galilee when a large windstorm arose. Jesus had taken the moment to rest and was asleep in the boat when the storm arrived and was raging. The disciples became frightened, even though at least three were professional fishermen. They woke the Lord asking Him if he did not care if they perished. He quickly stilled the storm by commanding, “Peace, be still”. The wind ceased and a great calm was seen.
4:40-41
Jesus Rebukes His Disciples:
He asks why they are fearful and how is it you have no faith? Remember they had shown little faith when they awoke Him asking Him “Do you not care that we are perishing”? When we think the Lord does not care about us, we show lack of faith. This was the point of the rebuke. They had feared exceedingly and had seen Him perform great miracles before and yet were in question of Him and His power. Now they asked who is this that even the wind and sea obey Him? In the span of only a few moments, the disciples saw both the complete humanity of Jesus as well as the fullness of his deity. They saw Jesus for who he truly is, both man and God.