Mark 4:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:7-19

The Word choked in the heart. Thorns make a good hedge but a bad crop. The soil here described was in itself rich, good soil. But it could not grow both thorns and wheat, and, when occupied by the one, failed to yield the other. I. WHAT ARE THE THORNS THAT OVERGROW THE SOIL ? Thorns, thistles, brambles, briers, are signs of neglect. They are the emblems of the primeval curse, for the garden was by our first parents exchanged for the thorny wilderness. In our parable the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:8-20

The Word fruitful in the heart. Most varied results attend the preaching of the gospel. Look at our Lord's own ministry. On the one hand, we are told, "He did there no mighty works because of their unbelief;" "yet they believed not upon him; 'and we find him exclaiming, "Woe unto you, cities!" etc. On the other hand, "the multitude heard him gladly;" of the Samaritans, "many more believed because of his word," and sometimes, in their eagerness, "they pressed upon him to hear," etc. Nor was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 4:11

The reward of discipleship. The sense of the word "mystery." Eleusinian and other heathen mysteries. Something previously hidden, but revealed in the gospel; or rather, something hidden from certain conditions of the moral nature of man, but revealed to other conditions. I. IT AGREES WITH THE MANIFEST END OF DISCIPLESHIP . The learner seeks for knowledge. The disciple of any master desires to receive his special doctrine or discovery. It is the highest, the esoteric,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:11-12

To know the mystery . The Greek verb γνῶναι , to know, is not found in the best manuscripts, in which the words are ( ὑμῖν τὸ μυστὴριον δέδοται ), unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God. Our Lord here explains why he spake to the mixed multitude in parables; namely, because most of them were as yet incapable of receiving the gospel: some would not believe it, others reviled it. Therefore our Lord here encourages his own disciples to search out his words spoken in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 4:10-13

See the notes at Matthew 13:10-17. On Mark 4:12, see the notes at John 12:39-40.When he was alone - That is, separate from the multitude. When he withdrew from the multitude a few followed him for the purpose of more instruction.Mark 4:13Know ye not this parable? - This which is so plain and obvious.How then will ye know all parables? - Those which are more difficult and obscure. As they were themselves to be “teachers,” it was important that they should be acquainted with the whole system of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 4:10-12

Mark 4:10-12. When he was alone That is, retired apart from the multitude. Unto them that are without So the Jews termed the heathen: so our Lord terms all obstinate unbelievers; for they shall not enter into the kingdom; they shall abide in outer darkness. So that seeing they may see, and not perceive They would not see before; now they could not, God having given them up to the blindness which they had chosen. 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 4:11

is = hath been. know = got to know. Greek. ginosko, App-132 . Compare 1 Corinthians 2:14 . All the texts omit "to know" and read "has been given the secret" of the Kingdom, &c. mystery = secret. Not before made known: i.e. its proclamation would be received only by a few. the kingdom of God . See App-114 . that are without = outside (that circle). Occurs only in Mark. Compare 1 Corinthians 5:12 , 1Co 5:13 . 1 Thessalonians 4:12 . In Matthew "to them", In Luke "to others". done = come... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Mark 4:11-12

Mark 4:11-12. Unto them that were without— Τοις εξω, the people out of the vessel,—the multitude on the shore. See εξω, used in a similar sense in the history of Peter's denial of his Master, Matthew 26:69. The following words at first sight seem to import, that Jesus spoke to the people obscurely, in parables, on purpose that they might not understand what he said, for fear they should have been converted and pardoned. Nevertheless it is evident from St. Mark himself, that this was not our... read more

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