Mark 4:31

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 4:30-32

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 4:31

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:31

A grain of mustard seed - See on Matthew 13:31 , Matthew 13:32 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:26-34

The kingdom of God further illustrated by parables. No single parable holds the entire truth in itself; therefore, by "many such parables" Jesus "spake the Word unto the multitude." Of those spoken at this time, St. Mark selects only two others besides that of the sower, and both of them, as was the first, are drawn from seeds. How suitable a simile of that kingdom, whose inherent, vital, self-expanding force is one of its most distinguishing features! These two parables stand related: the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:30-31

"Whereunto shall we liken it?" An invitation to mutual effort of spiritual thought and imagination. An instance of sympathetic condescension. I. THERE ARE MANY SIMILITUDES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD . II. SOME ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS . Either absolutely or relatively to present circumstances. III. WE ARE NOT TO BE ONLY PASSIVE RECIPIENTS OF CHRIST 'S TEACHING . IV. SAINTS ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST IN THE DISCOVERY ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:30-32

Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it! In the first clause of this verse the best authorities give πῶς for τίνι , How shall we liken the kingdom of God ? and in the second clause, instead of the Greek of which the Authorized Version is the rendering, the best-approved reading is ( τίνι αὐτὴν παραβολῇ θῶμεν ), in what parable shall we set it forth ? Our Lord thus stimulates the intellect of his hearers, by making them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:30-32

The mustard seed. The kingdom of God has its intension and its extension, its rule over the individual soul, and its sway over human society, its invisible work within and its manifest and mighty achievement without; it transforms character and it renews the world. Perhaps it is fair to regard the preceding parable of "the seed growing secretly" as a parable of the history of the Word in the heart ; and this of the mustard seed as a parable of the fortunes and destiny of the Word in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:30-32

The grain of mustard seed; or, the growth of the kingdom of God relatively to its beginnings. I. THE BEGINNINGS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD , AS COMPARED WITH THOSE OF OTHER INFLUENCES AFFECTING THE WORLD 'S LIFE , ARE VERY SMALL AND INSIGNIFICANT . A parable and a prophecy. Two plants, either of which might have been referred to by Christ—Sinapis Orientalis , a garden herb, bushy in habit, with black or white seeds, from four to six in a pod; or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:30-32

Great issues from small beginnings. The lesson which our Lord intended to teach by the parable of the mustard seed is stated in the announcement of our subject. If he had wished to set forth the splendor of his kingdom, he would have chosen as an illustration the stately cedar or the fruitful vine. The mustard in its greatest growth is by no means majestic; but it is large in proportion to its seed, and although it was not literally "the smallest of seeds," it was the smallest of those... read more

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