Mark 4:18-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 4:1-20

The foregoing chapter began with Christ's entering into the synagogue (Mark 4:1); this chapter begins with Christ's teaching again by the sea side. Thus he changed his method, that if possible all might be reached and wrought upon. To gratify the nice and more genteel sort of people that had seats, chief seats, in the synagogue, and did not care for hearing a sermon any where else, he did not preach always by the sea side, but, having liberty, went often into the synagogue, and taught there;... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 4:13-20

4:13-20 "Don't you understand this parable?" he said to them. "How then will you understand all the parables? What the sower is sowing is the word. The kind of people represented by the case in which the seed fell by the side of the road, are those in whose case the word is sown, and whenever they hear it, immediately Satan comes, and snatches away the word that was sown into them. Just so, the kind of people represented by the case in which the seed was sown on the rocky ground, are those,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:18

And these are they that are sown among thorns ,.... Such hearers of the word are designed by the thorny ground, upon which other seed fell, as it was sown, who are of worldly dispositions; who are immoderately careful and anxious about the things of this life, and are bent upon acquiring earthly riches, and gratifying their carnal and sensual appetites: such as hear the word ; who notwithstanding are prevailed upon through custom, or the dictates of their consciences, to attend upon the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:19

And the cares of this world ,.... The perplexing and distressing cares of it to get as much of it as they can, for themselves and families, fill their minds, and possess their souls even when and while they are hearing the word: and the deceitfulness of riches; or riches which are deceitful, especially when trusted in, and being obtained, they do not give the satisfaction they promise: and the lusts of other things entering in: carnal desires after other objects, which are pleasing to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:19

The deceitfulness of riches - This is variously expressed in different copies of the Itala: the errors - delights of the world - completely alienated ( abolienati ) by the pleasures of the world. The lusts of other things - which have not been included in the anxious cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches. All, all, choke the word! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:1-20

Spiritual sowing. It is a picturesque and memorable sight. Multitudes of people, of all classes and from every part of the land, have assembled on the western shore of the Galilean lake, where Jesus is daily occupied in teaching and in healing. To protect himself from the pressure of the crowd, and the better to command his audience, Jesus steps into a boat, and pushes off a few yards from the beach. There, with the fair landscape before him, corn-fields covering the slopes, the birds of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:1-20

The process of truth in the soul. " Word" in the parable stands for truth in general. It is the Greek logos , which contains everything relating to ideas and the reception of them. I. THE RELATION OF TRUTH TO THE SOUL . It is mysterious, because in it the secret of life lies. We know certain things about the seed; we know certain things about the soil; we know that their contact is necessary that germination and growth may take place. Sight, experience, teach us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:1-20

Parallel passages: Matthew 13:1-23 ; Luke 8:4-18 .— Parabolic teaching. I. THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER . 1 . Benefit of acquaintance with Scripture topography. To the right comprehension of Scripture acquaintance with Scripture topography is indispensable. This is easily obtainable at the present day from several books of travels now accessible to all. Much may be gained in this way even by those who have not had any opportunity of visiting Bible lands. 2 . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:1-25

The duty of faithfully hearing the Word. H e who taught by every act of his life, and who had already given many most important lessons with his lips, now, after the interruptions just recorded, "began to teach" more formally. It was "by the seaside," the multitude standing "by the sea on the land," and he "entered into a boat, and sat in the sea." "He taught them many things in parables." The first of these and one of the chief of the parables and the chiefest of all on the subject of "... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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