(31-32) It is like a grain of mustard seed.—See Notes on Matthew 13:31-32. Slight variations in this report are (1) the “great branches,” and (2) the birds lodging “under the shadow” of the tree. read more
Mark 4:8 The mate of an American whaler, Mr. Whalon, was captured by the cannibals of Hiva-Oa, one of the Marquesan islands, and rescued bravely by the intervention of a native Christian, Kekela, who was subsequently rewarded by President Lincoln for his gallant charity. Mr. Stevenson, in his volume In the South Seas (pp. 89, 90), quotes an extract from Kekela's letter of thanks, adding, 'I do not envy the man who can read it without emotion'. After telling of the rescue, Kekela proceeds: 'As... read more
CHAPTER 4:30-34 (Mark 4:30-34)THE MUSTARD SEED"And He said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof. And with many such parables spake He the word... read more
Chapter 4 1. Teaching by the Seaside. The Parable of the Sower. (Mark 4:1-20 . Matthew 13:1-23 ; Luke 8:4-15 .) 2. The Word to shine forth in testimony. (Mark 4:21-25 .Luke 8:16-18; Luke 8:16-18 .) 3. The Parable of the Growth of the Seed and the Harvest. (Mark 4:26-29 .) 4. The Parable of the Mustard Seed. (Mark 4:30-34 .Matthew 13:31-35; Matthew 13:31-35 ; Luke 13:18-19 .) 5. The Storm on the sea and the wind rebuked. (Mark 4:35-41 .Matthew 8:23-27; Matthew 8:23-27 ; Luke 8:22-25... read more
His teaching now at the seaside corresponds to Matthew 13:1-58, but only two of the seven parables in Matthew are mentioned here, for Matthew gives a full dispensational picture, while Mark dwells simply on public service and its results. The Lord speaks from the boat to the crowd on land. The sower is certainly Himself, God's true Servant, faithfully sowing the seed of the Word of God (v.14) broadcast in the field, which is the world (Matthew 13:38). This is not to be limited to the personal... read more
PARABLES AND MIRACLES This lesson contains the parables of the sower, the candle, the seed growing secretly and the mustard seed (Mark 4:1-34 ); and the miracles of the stilling of the storm, the healing of the Gadarene and the woman with the issue of blood, and the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 4:35 to Mark 5:43 ). The parables of the sower (Mark 4:1-20 ) and the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-34 ) are the only two out of the seven in Matthew 13:0 which Mark records. The whole of the seven... read more
The Parable of the Sower [An Analysis] Mark 4:0 The work of Christ and the general preaching of the Gospel are represented in this simple illustration. From it we learn 1. That a general proclamation is attended by particular results. This is notable, because one would have imagined that any declaration of God's will would have elicited an instantaneous, universal, and satisfactory response. The only difference which could have been supposed would be that each would be striving to excel the... read more
(30) And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? (31) It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: (32) But when it is sown, it groweth up, and be cometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. (33) And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear ... read more
21-34 These declarations were intended to call the attention of the disciples to the word of Christ. By his thus instructing them, they were made able to instruct others; as candles are lighted, not to be covered, but to be placed on a candlestick, that they may give light to a room. This parable of the good seed, shows the manner in which the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. Let but the word of Christ have the place it ought to have in a soul, and it will show itself in a good... read more
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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