Spake he the word - The word of God. The doctrines of his gospel.As they were able to hear it - As they could comprehend it. They were like children; and he was obliged to lead them along cautiously and by degrees to a full understanding of the plan of salvation. read more
Without a parable spake he not unto them - That is, the things pertaining to his kingdom. On other subjects he spake without parables. On these, such was their prejudice, so many notions had they contrary to the nature of his kingdom, and so liable would plain instructions have been to give offence, that he employed this method to “insinuate” truth gradually into their minds, and to prepare them fully to understand the nature of his kingdom.They were alone - His disciples.He expounded -... read more
See the notes at Matthew 8:18-27.Mark 4:36Even as he was in the ship - They took him without making any preparation for the voyage; without providing any food or raiment. He was sitting in a ship, or boat, instructing the people. In the same boat, probably ill fitted to encounter a storm on the lake, they sailed. This would render their danger more imminent and the miracle more striking.There were with him other little ships - Belonging probably to the people, who, seeing him sail, resolved to... read more
A.M. 4035. A.D. 31. Here we have, (1,) The parable of the seed and of the four sorts of ground, Mark 4:1-9 ; with the exposition, Mark 4:10-20 ; and the application of it, Mark 4:21-25 . (2,) The parable of the seed growing gradually but insensibly, Mark 4:26-29 . (3,) The parable of the grain of mustard-seed, and a general account of Christ’s parables, Mark 4:30-34 . (4,) The miracle of Christ’s suddenly stilling a storm at sea, Mark 4:35-41 . This chapter coincides with... read more
Mark 4:1-9. And he began to teach by the seaside See notes on Matthew 13:1-17. 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... read more
Mark 4:10-12. When he was alone That is, retired apart from the multitude. Unto them that are without So the Jews termed the heathen: so our Lord terms all obstinate unbelievers; for they shall not enter into the kingdom; they shall abide in outer darkness. So that seeing they may see, and not perceive They would not see before; now they could not, God having given them up to the blindness which they had chosen. read more
Mark 4:13-20. 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? See notes on Matthew 13:19-23. The desires 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... read more
Mark 4:21-25. And he said, Is a candle, &c. 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. Take heed what ye hear That is, attend to what you hear, that it may have its due influence upon you. With what measure ye mete That is, according to the improvement you make of what you have heard, still further... read more
Mark 4:26. So is the kingdom of God The gospel dispensation, whereby God overthrows the kingdom of Satan, collects subjects to himself, and erects and establishes his own kingdom. The grace of God in the soul is also included, erecting that kingdom which is within men, and is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, Romans 14:17. As if a man should cast seed into the ground The seed of God’s word a preacher of the gospel casts into the field of the world, and into the hearts of... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:31-32
See the notes at Matthew 13:31-32. read more