Mark 4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 4:33

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it; and without a parable spake he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things.See under Mark 4:2 for reasons why Jesus spoke in parables. As Sanner noted, "If he had spoken to the crowds in a direct way, he would have forced them to make a final decision at once, a decision of unbelief and rejection."[40]This glimpse of the deep interest of the disciples who waited until the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 4:35

And on that day, when even was come, he saith unto them, Let us go over unto the other side.MIRACLE OF STILLING THE TEMPESTChrist here proposed a crossing to the eastern side of Lake Galilee. This beautiful lake was surrounded by at least a dozen towns in the time of Christ and was the most densely populated area of Palestine. It is thirteen miles long, six miles wide, pear-shaped; and the surface lies 700 feet below sea level. Steep mountains rise along both the western and eastern shores. It... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 4:36

And leaving the multitude, they take him with them, even as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with them.Even as he was . . . This means that:The disciples sailed off with him just as he was in the boat from which he had been teaching the people; and they did not wait to provide any accommodations for the passage.[43]And other boats were with them ... This very important detail indicates: (1) that the great audience on land was supplemented by a considerable number who approached in... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 4:37

And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, insomuch that the boat was now filling. And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him and say unto him, Teacher, carest thou not that we perish?The sure evidence of the eye-witness is apparent in the stark and vivid details. The waves beating into the boat, Jesus asleep in the stern on the boat cushion, the fact that the boat was taking on water at an alarming rate - all these mark the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 4:39

And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.And he awoke ... It is not even stated here that Jesus arose, but Matthew supplied that detail (Matthew 8:26).He rebuked the wind ... In the words of Trench:To regard this as mere oratorical personification would be absurd; rather there is here a distinct tracing up of all the discords and disharmonies in the outward world to their source in a person, a referring them back... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 4:40

And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?It is ridiculous to make a big thing out of the fact that Matthew recorded this question as taking place before the great calm. Could Jesus not have said it twice? Besides that, the oldest historical reference to the gospel of Mark stated quite flatly that:Mark, having been Peter's interpreter, wrote all that Peter related; though he did not record in order that which was said or done by Christ.[48]This quotation was attributed to... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 4:41

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?Mark's purpose in his gospel shines in such an expression as this, of which there are a number of examples. He intended that the mighty works of Christ should lead to they identification of Jesus Christ as a supernatural person, one with the Father, and fully able to give eternal life to them that come unto God through him. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Mark 4

CHAP. IV. The parable of the sower, and the meaning thereof. We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others. The parable of the seed growing secretly, and of the mustard-seed. Christ stilleth the tempest on the sea. Anno Domini 30. read more

Thomas Coke