Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:3
3. Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow—What means this? See on :-. First Case: THE WAYSIDE. (Mark 4:4; Mark 4:15). read more
Mark 4
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:4
4. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the wayside—by the side of the hard path through the field, where the soil was not broken up. and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up—Not only could the seed not get beneath the surface, but "it was trodden down" (Luke 8:5), and afterwards picked up and devoured by the fowls. What means this? See on Luke 8:5- :. Second Case: THE STONY or rather, ROCKY GROUND. (Mark 4:5; Mark 4:16). read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:5
5. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth—"the rocky ground"; in Matthew (Matthew 13:5), "the rocky places"; in Luke (Matthew 13:5- :), "the rock." The thing intended is, not ground with stones in it which would not prevent the roots striking downward, but ground where a quite thin surface of earth covers a rock. What means this? See on Matthew 13:5- :. Third Case: THE THORNY GROUND. (Mark 4:7; Mark 4:18; Mark 4:19). read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:7
7. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit—This case is that of ground not thoroughly cleaned of the thistles, c. which, rising above the good seed, "choke" or "smother" it, excluding light and air, and drawing away the moisture and richness of the soil. Hence it "becomes unfruitful" ( :-); it grows, but its growth is checked, and it never ripens. The evil here is neither a hard nor a shallow soil—there is softness enough, and depth enough; but... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:8
8. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit, c.—The goodness of this last soil consists in its qualities being precisely the reverse of the other three soils: from its softness and tenderness, receiving and cherishing the seed from its depth, allowing it to take firm root, and not quickly losing its moisture; and from its cleanness, giving its whole vigor and sap to the plant. In such a soil the seed "brings forth fruit," in all different degrees of profusion, according to the measure... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:9
9. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. After this parable is recorded the Evangelist says: read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:10
10. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve—probably those who followed Him most closely and were firmest in discipleship, next to the Twelve. asked of him the parable—The reply would seem to intimate that this parable of the sower was of that fundamental, comprehensive, and introductory character which we have assigned to it (see on :-). Reason for Teaching in Parables (Mark 4:11; Mark 4:12; Mark 4:21-25). read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:11
11, 12. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them, &c.—See on :-. read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:13
13. Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?—Probably this was said not so much in the spirit of rebuke, as to call their attention to the exposition of it which He was about to give, and so train them to the right apprehension of His future parables. As in the parables which we have endeavored to explain in :-, we shall take this parable and the Lord's own exposition of the different parts of it together. read more
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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