Mark 4:29

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:29

He putteth in the sickle - ΑποϚελλει , he sendeth out the sickle, i.e. the reapers; the instrument, by a metonomy, being put for the persons who use it. This is a common figure. It has been supposed that our Lord intimates here that, as soon as a soul is made completely holy, it is taken into the kingdom of God. But certainly the parable does not say so. When the corn is ripe, it is reaped for the benefit of him who sowed it; for it can be of little or no use till it be ripe: so when a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:26-29

Spiritual growth. There are common truths and a common interpretation underlying this and several other parables. In all this group the seed is the Word of God, the soil is the heart of man, the life is the spiritual history and development, the fruit is Christian character, and the harvest is eternal result and retribution. But the peculiar lesson of this parable is the nature of spiritual growth. It this case it is presumed that the seed is sown in good soil. I. IT IS HIDDEN , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:26-29

The seed cast upon the earth; or, the self-development of truth in the heart of man. I. THERE IS A PRE - ESTABLISHED HARMONY BETWEEN THE TRUTH AND HUMAN NATURE . The seed left in the soil germinates because of the mutual adaptation; so the Word of God. II. THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM HAS AN INNATE POWER OF DEVELOPMENT . Under the appointed conditions it is bound to grow. III. GOD DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH IT OR REMOVE IT ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:26-29

Man used and then dispensed with. I. WHAT GOD DOES BY AND THROUGH HIS SERVANTS . The mere sowing of the seed. 1 . Receiving the seed for one's self. 2 . Imparting it vitally to other minds. II. WHAT GOD DOES WITHOUT HIS SERVANTS . The pre-existence and independent growth of the seed a great mystery. Its hidden processes provocative of spiritual discipline to the sower. In God's hand and the womb of time ( Psalms 65:1-13 .). Committing it thereto,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:26-29

The progress of Divine life in the soul. Mark alone records this parable. It occupies the position of the parable of the tares in Matthew 13:1-58 , following "the sower," preceding "the mustard seed," but is not to be identified with it. It teaches us that Divine life, like ordinary seed, requires time for its development, that its growth is unnoticed and but little dependent upon human interference, and that it will have a glorious consummation. I. THE GROWTH OF THE DIVINE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:26-29

The beauty of growth. I. THE SMALL BEGINNING . What smaller or more seemingly feeble than the seed—the thought—the word—the volition? Yet in the beginning lies the end, in the acorn the oak. II. THE IMMENSE DIVINE POWER . We lie on the bosom of nature as the seed lies in the earth. For as winds blow and waters move and earth rests, God in his might and love bears up and onward the living soul. All things are ours to work our good. III. THE SECRECY AND ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:26-29

Spiritual vegetation or secret growth. I. RELATION TO THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING PARABLE . This parable, which may very appropriately be called "the secret growth," is recorded by St. Mark alone. It is peculiar to his Gospel. Its relation to the parable of the sower, which precedes it, is somewhat of the following kind:—The former parable describes the soil , this one, the seed ; the former the quality of the soil, and this the vitality of the seed. II. THE ... read more

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