Mark 4:17 NLT,NIV,ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:10-25

The lamp of parabolic teaching. Probably the opposition, malignity, and misrepresentation of the scribes and Pharisees were the occasion of the commencement by our Lord of a new style of public teaching. He did not wish at present to excite so much turmoil and violence as should lead to the interruption of his ministry. His design was to introduce into men's minds new ideas of the spiritual reign of God—ideas altogether in contradiction to their own carnal notions and hopes. He knew,... 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

Albert Barnes

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 4:13-20

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

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 4:17

and. . . for a time = but are temporary. affliction = tribulation. for . . . sake = on account of. Greek. dia. App-104 .Mark 4:2 . are offended = stumble. The stumbling is as immediate as the "gladness "of Mark 4:16 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 4:17

And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word straightway they stumble.See list of analogies above. "Tribulation or persecution ..." may not be viewed as anything unexpected. As sure as the sun rises, believers in Christ may expect the scorching and withering effect of the world's opposition to the truth. Any casual, shallow, or partial commitment to Christ will quail before it. 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