Mark 4

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:15

Straightway cometh Satan . St. Matthew ( Matthew 13:19 ) says, "then cometh ( ὁ πονηρὸς ) the evil one ;" the same expression which our Lord uses in the Lord's Prayer, and which helps to justify the English rendering in the Revised Version there. As the seed failing by the wayside is refused by the hard and well-trodden ground, and so is readily picked up by the birds; in like manner, the seed of God's Word, falling upon a heart rendered callous by the custom of sinning, is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:15-20

The perils and the prospects of the good seed of the kingdom. The importance of the parable of the sower is shown by the prominence given to it by the evangelists, and by the question of our Lord in the thirteenth verse, "Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?" In some respects it was the basis of similar teaching, while the key to its interpretation, given by the Lord himself, opens the door of other mysteries. The illustration is an analogy, going deeper than... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:16-17

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground . This sentence would be better rendered, And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places , where the words "likewise," or "in like manner," mean "by a similar mode of interpretation." This is the second condition of soil on which the seed is sown—a better condition than the former; for the former plainly refused the seed, but this, having some soil layout. able to the germination of the seed, receives it,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:18

And these are they which are sown among thorns . According to the best authorities, the words are ( καὶ ἄλλοι εἰσιν ), and others are they , etc. This marks a considerable difference between the two classes. This is the third condition of soft; and it is so much better than the former, inasmuch as the thorns present less obstacles to the growth of the seed than the rocky ground does. This similitude indicates the heart of that hearer who is beset with the cares of this world... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:19

The cares of the world ( τοῦ αἰῶνος ); literally, of the age ; that is, temporal and secular cares, incident to the age in which our lot is cast, and which are common to all. These, like thorns, distress and trouble, and often wound the soul; while, on the other hand, the care of the soul and the thought of heavenly things compose and establish the mind. The deceitfulness of riches . Riches are aptly compared to thorns, because, like thorns, they pierce the soul. St. Paul ( 1... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:20

Those are they that were sown upon the good ground . The good ground represents the heart which receives the Word of God with joy and desire, and true devotion of spirit, and which steadfastly retains it, whether in prosperity or in adversity; and so yields fruit, "sows thirty, some sixty, and some a hundredfold." St. Jerome remarks that, as of the bad ground there were three different kinds—the way, side, the rocky, and the thorny ground; so of the good ground there is a threefold gradation... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21

Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, etc.? The Greek is ὁ λύχνος , and is better rendered the lamp. The figure is recorded by St. Matthew ( Matthew 5:15 ) as used by our Lord in his sermon on the mount. It is evident that he repeated his sayings, and used them sometimes in a different connection. The lamp is here the light of Divine truth, shining in the person of Christ. Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel ? It comes to us. The light in our souls is not of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-22

Revelation and not concealment the final purpose of the truth. I. THIS APPEARS FROM : 1 . Its very nature. That which reveals ( e.g. light) is not to be itself hidden. Its whole tendency is and has been towards greater manifestation. Each revelation of God has been grandee than that which preceded. 2 . Its central significance in the Divine economy. It has evidently a practical relation to the whole, just as "the lamp" had to the peasant's room, as the general means of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-25

The use of the spirit. I. THE FACULTIES OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT COMPARED TO LIGHT . We may take any division of them we please: intellectual, emotional, volitional; head, heart, hand;—the comparison holds good. 1 . Light is cheering, so is intellect; sound reasoning, bright fancy, lambent wit, genial humor, sound knowledge. 2 . With light goes heat. The sound head is generally associated with the large heart. Carlyle said that a great heart was the foundation of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-25

Parallel passage: Luke 8:16-18 .— Light and illumination. I. TEMPORARY OBSCURATION . The heathens in their mysteries had esoteric doctrines only made known to the initiated, and not designed to be revealed at any time to the uninitiated. The obscuration in their case was permanent. Our Lord, at a particular period of his ministry and for a special purpose, veiled his teaching in parable. But this obscuration was only meant to continue for a time. Our Lord guards against the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:15-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:16-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-25

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