26, 27. So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day—go about his other ordinary occupations, leaving it to the well-known laws of vegetation under the genial influences of heaven. This is the sense of "the earth bringing forth fruit of herself," in :-. read more
28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear—beautiful allusion to the succession of similar stages, though not definitely marked periods, in the Christian life, and generally in the kingdom of God. read more
29. But when the fruit is brought forth—to maturity immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come—This charmingly points to the transition from the earthly to the heavenly condition of the Christian and the Church. Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-32). For the exposition of this portion, see on :-. read more
33. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it—Had this been said in the corresponding passage of Matthew, we should have concluded that what that Evangelist recorded was but a specimen of other parables spoken on the same occasion. But Matthew ( :-) says, "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables"; and as Mark records only some of the parables which Matthew gives, we are warranted to infer that the "many such parables" alluded to... read more
34. But without a parable spake he not unto them—See on :-. and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples—See on :-. :-. JESUS CROSSING THE SEA OF GALILEE, MIRACULOUSLY STILLS A TEMPEST—HE CURES THE DEMONIAC OF GADARA. ( = Matthew 8:23-34; Luke 8:22-39). The time of this section is very definitely marked by our Evangelist, and by him alone, in the opening words. Jesus Stills a Tempest on the Sea of Galilee ( :-). read more
35. And the same day—on which He spoke the memorable parables of the :-, and of :-. when the even was come—(See on Mark 6:35). This must have been the earlier evening—what we should call the afternoon—since after all that passed on the other side, when He returned to the west side, the people were waiting for Him in great numbers (Mark 4:21; Luke 8:40). he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side—to the east side of the lake, to grapple with a desperate case of possession, and... read more
36. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship—that is, without any preparation, and without so much as leaving the vessel, out of which He had been all day teaching. And there were also with him other little ships—with passengers, probably, wishing to accompany Him. read more
37. And there arose a great storm of wind—"a tempest of wind." To such sudden squalls the Sea of Galilee is very liable from its position, in a deep basin, skirted on the east by lofty mountain ranges, while on the west the hills are intersected by narrow gorges through which the wind sweeps across the lake, and raises its waters with great rapidity into a storm. and the waves beat into the ship—kept beating or pitching on the ship. so that it was now full—rather, "so that it was already... read more
38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship—or stern. asleep on a pillow—either a place in the vessel made to receive the head, or a cushion for the head to rest on. It was evening; and after the fatigues of a busy day of teaching under the hot sun, having nothing to do while crossing the lake, He sinks into a deep sleep, which even this tempest raging around and tossing the little vessel did not disturb. and they awake him, and say unto him, Master—or "Teacher." In Luke ( :-) this is... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:25
25. For he that hath, to him shall be given; and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath—or "seemeth to have," or "thinketh he hath." (See on :-). This "having" and "thinking he hath" are not different; for when it hangs loosely upon him, and is not appropriated to its proper ends and uses, it both is and is not his. Parable of the Seed Growing We Know Not How ( :-). This beautiful parable is peculiar to Mark. Its design is to teach the Imperceptible Growth of the... read more