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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:1-9

See the parable of the sower explained in the notes at Matthew 13:1-9.See the parable of the sower explained in the notes at Matthew 13:1-9. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 4:1-9

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Mark 4:1-29

PARABLES54. The sower (Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-29; Luke 8:1-18)To visit all the towns of Galilee was a huge task. Jesus and his disciples were helped in this work by a group of women who went with them to look after their daily needs (Luke 8:1-3). Crowds of people came to see Jesus wherever he went, and were often a hindrance to the progress of the gospel. It seems that one reason Jesus began to teach extensively in parables was to separate those who were genuinely interested from those who... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Mark 4:2

taught = was teaching. by = in. Greek. en. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 4:31 , Mark 4:38 . doctrine = teaching. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 4:2

And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his teaching,Practically all of this chapter deals with parables. The Hebrews had but a single word for several English words, including both PARABLE and PROVERB. "A parable is a truth presented by a similitude, being of necessity figurative"; but a proverb may be "figurative, but not necessarily."[3] The reason for Jesus' resort to the method of teaching by parables is complex: (1) He did so in order to fulfill prophecy. (2) He... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:2

2. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine—or "teaching." Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:3-9; Mark 4:13-20). Mark 4:3; Mark 4:14. THE SOWER, THE SEED, AND THE SOIL. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 4:1-2

The setting 4:1-2 (cf. Matthew 13:1-3a; Luke 8:4)Jesus may have taught these parables shortly after the incident Mark just finished recording (Mark 3:20-35; cf. Matthew 13:1). If so, this was a very busy day in Jesus’ ministry. It may have included all the events in Mark 3:19 to Mark 4:41 (cf. Mat_12:22 to Mat_13:53; Luke 8:4-25). "Again" looks back to Mark 3:7 and perhaps to Mark 2:13. The boat (Gr. ploion) in which Jesus sat was a vessel larger than a rowboat (cf. Mark 3:7), perhaps a fishing... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 4:1-34

2. Jesus’ teaching in parables 4:1-34This is the first of three extended teaching sessions that Mark recorded (cf. Mark 7:1-23; Mark 13:3-37). Jesus’ three parables in this section describe the character of the messianic kingdom.Parables are illustrations that teach truth by comparisons (Gr. parabole, lit. "something thrown alongside," similitudes). Some are long stories, but others are short similes, metaphors, analogies, or proverbial sayings (cf. Mark 2:19-22; Mark 3:24-25; Mark 3:27). The... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:1-41

Parable of the Sower. Stilling the Tempest1-9. Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1; Luke 8:4). See on Mt.10-20. The parable interpreted (Matthew 13:10; Luke 8:9). See on Mt.21-25. Further remarks upon teaching by parables (Luke 8:16-18). Omitted by Mt, who introduces these sayings in other connexions, viz. Matthew 5:15; Matthew 7:2; Matthew 10:26, which see.21. A candle] RV ’the lamp.’ A bushel] RV ’the bushel.’ A bed] RV ’the bed.’ A candlestick] RV ’the stand.’ St. Matthew introduces this... read more

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