Mark 4:26-32 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 4:21-34

The lessons which our Saviour designs to teach us here by parables and figurative expressions are these:? I. That those who are good ought to consider the obligations they are under to do good; that is, as in the parable before, to bring forth fruit. God expects a grateful return of his gifts to us, and a useful improvement of his gifts in us; for (Mark 4:21), Isa. a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? No, but that it may be set on a candlestick. The apostles were... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 4:26-29

4:26-29 He said to them: "This is what the Kingdom of God is like. It is like what happens when a man casts seed upon the earth. He sleeps and he wakes night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows--and he does not know how it does it. The earth produces fruit with help from no one, first the shoot, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. When the time allows it, immediately he despatches the sickle, for the time to harvest has come." This is the only parable which Mark alone relates... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 4:30-32

4:30-32 He said: "How shall we find something with which to compare the Kingdom of God, or what picture will we use to represent it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the ground, is the least of all the seeds upon the earth. But, when it is sown, it springs up and it becomes greater than all the herbs; and it sends out great branches so that the birds of the heaven can find a lodging under its shade." There are in this parable two pictures which every Jew... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:26

And he said ,.... He went on saying the following parable, which was delivered at the same time that the parable of the sower was, though omitted by Matthew; and is here placed between that, and the other concerning the grain of mustard seed; which shows the time when it was spoken. The design of it is to set forth the nature of the word, and the ministration of it; the conduct of the ministers of the Gospel, when they have dispensed it; the imperceptibleness of its springing and growth; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:27

And should sleep ,.... That is, the man that casts in the seed, who represents the ministers of the Gospel: and, as applied to them, is not to be understood of natural sleep, and indulging themselves in that; much less of spiritual sloth and indolence, as if they cared not what became of the seed sown, whether it sprung up, and came to any thing, or not; for neither of these belong to the characters of the true ministers of the word: for though bodily sleep in them, as in other men, is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:28

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself ,.... Without any further help, or cultivation from the husbandman; though under the influence of the sun, dews, and showers of rain from heaven: this is said, not to denote that man of himself, upon hearing the word, can bring forth the fruit of grace in himself; he cannot regenerate himself, nor quicken, nor convert himself; he cannot believe in Christ, nor love the Lord of himself; nor repent of his sin, nor begin, or carry on the good work;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:29

But when the fruit is brought forth ,.... Unto perfection, and is fully ripe; signifying that when grace is brought to maturity, and faith is performed with power, and the good work begun is perfected; then, as the husbandman, immediately he putteth the sickle ; and cuts it down, and gathers it in; because the harvest is come ; at death or at the end of the world, which the harvest represents: when all the elect of God are called by grace, and grace in them is brought to its... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:30

And he said ,.... Still continuing his discourse on this subject, and in order to convey to the minds of his disciples clearer ideas of the Gospel dispensation, the success of the Gospel, and the usefulness of their ministration of it, for their encouragement, how unpromising soever things might then be: whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God, or with what comparison shall we compare it ? It was usual with the Jewish doctors, when about to illustrate anything in a parabolical way to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:31

It is like a grain of mustard seed ,.... That is, the kingdom of God spoken of in the preceding verse, is like unto a grain of mustard seed; by which is meant, either the Gospel, or the Gospel church state, or the grace of God in the hearts of his people, and it may include them all: the Gospel is so called, because it treats of the two latter; but more especially, because it brings life and immortality to light, or points to the kingdom of heaven, directs the way unto it, and shows what... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:32

But when it is sown, it groweth up ,.... So the Gospel, when it was preached, it spread notwithstanding all the opposition made against it by, the Jews and Gentiles: there was no stopping it; though the Jewish sanhedrim charged the apostles to speak no more in the name of Jesus, they regarded them not; though Herod stretched forth his hands against the church, and killed one apostle, and put another in prison, yet "the word of God grew and multiplied", Acts 12:1 , and Gospel churches when... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 4:21-34

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 4:26-29

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 4:30-32

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:32

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