Mark 4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:14-20

See the notes at Matthew 13:18-23. read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:21

Is a candle brought ... - A candle is not lit up to be put immediately under a measure or a bed, where it can give no light. Its design is to give light. So my preaching by parables is not designed to obscure the truth, but to throw light on it. You should understand those parables, and, understanding them, should impart the truth to others also, as a candle throws its beams upon a dark world.Bushel - The word here used in the original means a measure for grain containing about 12 quarts.Bed -... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:22

There is nothing hid ... - See the notes at Matthew 10:26. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:24

Take heed what ye hear - Or, consider well what you hear. Make a good improvement of it.With what measure ye mete ... - You shall be treated according to the use you make of your opportunities of learning. If you consider it well, and make a good improvement of what you hear, you shall be well rewarded. If not, your reward shall be small. This is a proverbial expression. See it explained in the notes at Matthew 7:1-2.Mete - Measure. With what measure ye measure.Unto you that hear - To you who... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:25

For he that hath ... - See the notes at Matthew 13:12. The meaning here seems to be, he that diligently attends to my words shall increase more and more in the knowledge of the truth; but he that neglects them and is inattentive shall become more ignorant; the few things which he had learned he will forget, and his trifling knowledge will be diminished.Hath not - Does not improve what he possessed, or does not make proper use of his means of learning.That which he hath - That which he had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:26

So is the kingdom of God - The gospel, or religion in the soul, may be compared to this. See the notes at Matthew 3:2. This parable is recorded only by Mark. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:27

And should sleep, and rise night and day - Should sleep in the night and rise by day, for so the expression is to be understood. That is, should live in his usual way, without exerting any influence over the growing grain. By this we are not to infer that men are to use no diligence in the obtaining and in the growth of piety; but the illustration shows only that as we cannot tell how grain grows, so we cannot tell the mode in which piety increases in the heart.He knoweth not how - This is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:28

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself - That is, it is done without the power of man. It is done while man is engaged in other things. The scope of this passage does not require us to suppose that our Saviour meant to say that the earth had any productive power of itself, but only that it produced its fruits not by the “power of man.” God gives it its power. It has no power of its own. So religion in the heart is not by the power of man. It grows he cannot tell how, and of course he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:29

Immediately he putteth in the sickle - This is the way with the farmer. As soon as the grain is ripe it is cut down. So it is often with the Christian. As soon as he is prepared for heaven he is taken there. But we are not to press this part of the parable, as if it meant that all are removed as soon as they are fit for heaven. Every parable contains circumstances thrown in to fill up the story, which cannot be literally interpreted. In this, the circumstance of sleeping and rising cannot be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:30

Whereunto shall we liken ... - This shows the great solicitude which Jesus had to adapt his instructions to the capacity of his disciples. He sought out the most plain and striking illustrations - an example which should be followed by all the ministers of the gospel. At the same time that the instructions of the pulpit should be dignified as our Saviour’s always were they should be adapted to the capacity of the audience and easily understood. To do this the following things are necessary in a... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:14-20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:24

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:25

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:26

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:27

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:28

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:29

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:30

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