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Chapter 4
The following commentary is taken from verse-by-verse notes of Chuck Smith, Andrew Womack, Jimmy Swaggart, Tony Evans, and John Wesley. Also used at the notes of The Passion Translation and the New English Translation.
Verses 1-2.
Again, Jesus began to teach beside the lake. And a very great crowd gathered about Him, so that He got into a ship in order to sit in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was at the lakeside on the shore. And He taught them many things in parables (everyday life stories of understandable, common, temporal events which illustrate, teach, highlight, or speak of eternal, unseen truths), and in His teaching He said to them.
TPT. Jesus left the House (Israel) to teach by the Sea (Sea of Humanity).
Wesley. He taught them many things by parables — After the usual manner of the eastern nations, to make his instructions more agreeable to them, and to impress them the more upon attentive hearers. A parable signifies not only a simile or comparison, and sometimes a proverb, but any kind of instructive speech, wherein spiritual things are explained and illustrated by natural, Proverbs 1:6.
NET. Again, he began to teach by the lake. Such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat[a] on the lake and sat there while[b] the whole crowd was on the shore by the lake. 2 He taught them many things in parables,[c] and in his teaching said to them.
Note. Though parables can contain a variety of figures of speech (cf. 2:19-22; 3:23-25; 4:3-9, 26-32; 7:15-17; 13:28), many times they are simply stories that attempt to teach spiritual truth (which is unknown to the hearers) by using a comparison with something known to the hearers. In general, parables usually advance a single idea, though there may be many parts and characters in a single parable and subordinate ideas may expand the main idea further. The beauty of using the parable as a teaching device is that it draws the listener into the story, elicits an evaluation, and demands a response.
Smith. The purpose of a parable is to illustrate the truth. To tell a story can often bring the listener’s attention back. When you tell a story, suddenly people pay attention. And in the story, you are able to subtly able to illustrate the truth that you are trying to point out.
Womack. Jesus’ teaching of God’s truths and miracles drew the masses. The Word of God changes people’s lives (John 8:32). Faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Jesus was first a teacher of the Word. Miracles were expresses of His love and fulfilled the Word. Jesus explained to this disciples why He taught in parables in Matthew 13:10-17, Mark 4:10-12, and Luke 8:9-10.
The parables recorded here were not randomly chosen. They all teach that the Word of God is the foundation on which the kingdom of God stands (Mark 4:14).
Verses 3-9.
And he began again to teach by the seaside: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a Sower to sow: 4 and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6 but when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 And other fell on good ground and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred. 9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
NET notes. V. 3. A Sower went out to sow. The background for this well-known parable, drawn from a typical scene in the Palestinian countryside, is a field through which a well-worn path runs. Sowing would occur in late fall or early winter (October to December) in the rainy season. The use of seed as a figure for God’s giving life has OT roots (Isa 55:10-11). The point of the parable of the Sower is to illustrate the various responses to the message of the kingdom of God (cf. 4:11).
TPT notes. “The four kinds of soils speak of four kinds of hearts: hard hearts (activity of satan); hollow hearts (activity of the flesh); half hearts (activity of the world); and whole hearts.
NLT notes. To hear Jesus’ words is to believe them; to use them immediately in decisions, attitudes, and behavior; to base your life on them. To love Jesus is to hear his words, believe his words, act on his words, obey his words fully.
Wesley. V. 3. Hearken — This word he probably spoke with a loud voice, to stop the noise and hurry of the people.
Womack. This Sower broadcast in those days, like we sowed tobacco beds or lawn seed with our hands. He didn’t sow it in rows as we do today.
Jesus taught ten parables on this day:
Mark recorded four of these parables. Matthew recorded eight, while Luke recorded two.
It’s interesting that He used a natural example like a seed. This is because people can’t cheat on sowing and reaping. People can’t cram for a harvest. They can’t wait until the night before a harvest (like we would cram the night before a test to skew the teaching) and sow their seeds. This natural system is governed by the unchangeable laws of seed, TIME, and harvest.
This parable illustrates some of the unchangeable laws of how God’s Word works. The whole world operates from seeds. There would be no animal, plant, or human life without seeds. Likewise, the whole kingdom of God is dependent on the Word of God. God’s Word is to His kingdom the way the world is totally dependent on seeds.
The second type of heart condition described in this parable is one where a person understood the Word and was excited about it, but that person didn’t take the time to get God’s Word rooted inside. Therefore, the Word did germinate, but it couldn’t produce fruit because it didn’t have a good root system.
Roots develop underground, out of sight. Most people want the visible results of fruit, but they don’t want to develop the root system necessary to produce and sustain the fruit. A seed that germinates in shallow earth will put all its energies into growth above ground, because there is nowhere else for its growth to go. So, at first, it looks better than the seed that is putting its effort into building a good root system. But when the sun starts drying out the plant, the root system isn’t there to sustain it, and it will wither and die.
Most people don’t like the root-building process. They want to experience the benefits of the Word that are visible in their lives, but they don’t want to spend time alone with God in His Word, letting that Word get rooted and established in them. So, there can be visible results in a person’s life who listens to someone else minister the Word. But when things get tough, only the Word that has personal roots in our hearts will bear fruit.
Verse 7. No one intentionally sows thorns in their ground. Thorns are just a part of sin’s curse (Genesis 3:17-19). Likewise, people don’t intentionally sow “thorns” that will choke God’s Word and keep it from producing fruit. It just happens naturally. Unless we diligently pull the “weeds,” they will take over.
Verse 8. Mark 4:14 makes it clear that the seed represents the Word of God. The ground represents people’s hearts. There are four different types, or conditions, of hearts represented in this parable.
The first type of heart is one that has no desire toward God’s Word. The Word never gets inside of the heart but lays on the surface where it’s easily stolen away by the devil.
This same parable was recorded in Matthew 13:3-23. In Matthew 13:19, Jesus said that Satan has the ability to steal this Word from those who understand it not. Therefore, understanding is the first step in getting God’s Word down on the inside of us. This is why we teach children on a level they can understand. Without understanding, Satan has complete access to steal the truths of God’s Word from us.
The only one of these four types of ground, or hearts, where Satan has free access to steal away the Word is this first one where there is no understanding. Therefore, understanding is the first step in getting the Word of God to germinate in us.
Verse 9. Everyone in the crowd had physical ears on their heads. Jesus was speaking about spiritual ears in their hearts. Those who would listen with their hearts and let the Holy Spirit reveal this to them were the ones He was talking about.
Summary v. 3-9. The first type of people that Jesus described are those who don’t understand God’s Word (Matthew 13:19). Before God’s Word can penetrate people’s hearts, they have to understand what it’s saying. If the Word isn’t understood, then it will be like seed scattered on top of hard-packed ground (the wayside). The birds will eat the seed, and there will be no fruit. Mark 4:15 and this verse make it clear that these birds represent Satan, and Mark said the devil comes immediately to steal away the Word. Satan did not have direct access to the Word in any of the other types of hearts that Jesus described.
Satan cannot steal the Word from people if they will hide it in their hearts (Psalms 119:11). This first type of people simply heard the Word but didn’t receive it. They never applied it to their lives, and so they lost it. Notice that Luke linked belief and salvation with the Word being sown in our hearts in the same way as Romans 10:14-17. If there is no Word, there cannot be any belief or salvation (1 Peter 1:23). We must preach the Word, not just morality or social issues. Luke’s use of the word “saved” could include, but is not necessarily limited to, forgiveness of sins. Salvation includes much more than forgiveness of sins. This verse could describe people who didn’t receive the Word and, therefore, were eternally damned, or it could also be describing Christians who simply don’t receive the Word in certain areas of their lives and, therefore, don’t experience the victory that Jesus provided for them.
Verses 10-12.
10 When he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 He said to them, “The secret[a] of the kingdom of God[b] has been given[c] to you. But to those outside, everything is in parables, 12 so that although they look, they may look but not see,
and although they hear they may hear but not understand,
so they may not repent and be forgiven.”
Womack. V. 10.
NET notes. V. 11. “the mystery.” The key term secret (mustērion) can mean either (1) a new revelation or (2) a revealing interpretation of existing revelation as in Dan 2:17-23, 27-30. Jesus seems to be explaining how current events develop old promises, since the NT consistently links the events of Jesus’ ministry and message with old promises (Rom 1:1-4; Heb 1:1-2). The traditional translation of this word, “mystery,” is misleading to the modern English reader because it suggests a secret which people have tried to uncover but which they have failed to understand.
Swaggart. Those outsides were the scribes, pharisees, and others with a hardened heart. Using parables allowed Jesus to communicate spiritual truth to his disciples while keeping it hidden from the hard-hearted religious leaders.
Brewer. This was important because it delayed the ability of the Scribes to charge Jesus with blasphemy.
TPT notes. V. 11. Jesus spoke allegorically so that those who didn’t care to understand couldn’t understand. Yet he knew that the hungry ones would seek out the hidden meaning of the parables and understand the secrets of God’s Kingdom realm. It’s that way today. Pro. 25:2.
Smith. Parables are used to attract attention and to illustrate truth.
Wesley. When he was alone — That is, retired apart from the multitude. To them that are without — So the Jews termed the heathens: so, our Lord terms all obstinate unbelievers: for they shall not enter into his kingdom: they shall abide in outer darkness. So that seeing they see and do not perceive — They would not see before now they could not, God having given them up to the blindness which they had chosen.
Verse 13-14.
13 And He said to them, Do you not discern and understand this parable? How then is it possible for you to discern and understand all the parables? 14 The Sower sows the Word.
13 He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? Then[a] how will you understand any parable? 14 The Sower sows the word.
TPT notes. The Word is the “message of the Kingdom.”
Wesley. Know ye not this parable? — Which is as it were the foundation of all those that I shall speak hereafter; and is so easy to be understood?
Smith. Here is a key to the parables, that is: the Word. The seed is the Word.
Womack. The parable of the Sower is the key to understanding all His parables.
The parable is illustrating the importance of the Word of God. God’s Word contains total power (Psalms 138:2 and Hebrews 1:3), but it has to be planted in our hearts and allowed to germinate before it releases that power. The seed is God’s Word, and the types of ground are the four major categories of people’s hearts (“sown in his heart” - Matthew 13:19, also see Mark 4:15).
The Word was the same in each plot of soil (an incorruptible seed - 1 Peter 1:23), but there were different results in each case because of the condition of people’s hearts, not because of the Word. The Word doesn’t work for everyone, because not everyone will allow the Word to work. The variable in this parable is the condition of these hearts.
Jesus used truths about farming in the natural to illustrate how God’s Word operates in the spiritual realm.
This parable illustrates some of the unchangeable laws of how God’s Word works. The whole world operates from seeds. There would be no animal, plant, or human life without seeds. Likewise, the whole kingdom of God is dependent on the Word of God. God’s Word is to His kingdom the way the world is totally dependent on seeds.
Verses 15-20.
15 The ones along the path are those who have the Word sown in their hearts, but when they hear, Satan comes at once and by force takes away the message which is sown in them. 16 And in the same way the ones sown upon stony ground are those who, when they hear the Word, at once receive, accept, and welcome it with joy; 17 And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended. They become displeased, indignant, resentful, and they stumble and fall away. 18 And the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word; 19 Then the cares and anxieties of the world, the distractions of the age, and the pleasure, delight, false glamour, deceitfulness of riches, the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in, choke and suffocate the Word. It becomes fruitless. 20 And those sown on the good, well-adapted and prepared soil are the ones who hear the Word. They receive, accept and welcome the Word and they bear fruit—some thirty times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some even a hundred times as much.
NET. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: Whenever they hear, immediately Satan[a] comes and snatches the word[b] that was sown in them. 16 These are the ones sown on rocky ground: As soon as they hear the word, they receive it with joy. 17 But[c] they have no root in themselves and do not endure.[d] Then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away. 18 Others are the ones sown among thorns: They are those who hear the word, 19 but[e] worldly cares, the seductiveness of wealth,[f] and the desire for other things come in and choke the word,[g] and it produces nothing. 20 But[h] these are the ones sown on good soil: They hear the word and receive it and bear fruit, one thirty times as much, one sixty, and one a hundred.”
NET notes. V. 15. The word of Jesus has the potential to save if it germinates in a person’s heart, something the devil is very much against. V. 17. Grk “are temporary.” V. 19. Grk “the deceitfulness of riches: “the seduction which comes from wealth.” That is, their concern for spiritual things is crowded out by material things.
Swaggart. The seed is the Word of God. The sower is Jesus and His ministers. In one category of hearts, the heart is hard, and Satan comes and takes away the seed before it grows at all. Satan wants to drag everyone down into corruption and filth with him. Devil could be “evil one,” “slanderer,” or false accuser.”
The second category of “heart” is a stony heart. It’s like soil filled with rocks. A person has a superficial exposure to the Word. Any roots are extremely shallow and there is little growth. When we receive the Word, satan comes along with pressure, disappointments, problems, and obstacles. They probably don’t persevere.
The seed falling on ground in the midst of thorns is the person whose cares, worries, worries, and anxieties choke the Word, and the Word does not reach maturity. Cares comes from a Greek word meaning “to be drawn in different directions.” He’s distracted.
The good soil is self-evident.
Wesley. The desire for other things chokes the word — A deep and important truth! The desire for anything, otherwise than as it leads to happiness in God, directly tends to barrenness of soul.
Entering in — Where they were not before. Let him therefore who has received and retained the word, see that no other desire then enters in, such as perhaps till then he never knew.
It becometh unfruitful — After the fruit had grown almost to perfection.
Smith. So, the parable of the Sower is how God’s word is received in the hearts of men. With some people, the seed never has a chance to even take root. It has no effect. There are others who get excited, receive the Word with gladness and joy. They start off with a bang, but when persecution comes, a trial or testing, they fall away because there's no real depth. This third category covers probably a greater number of people in the church than almost any. Those who receive the word; it begins to develop in their lives, but it is among thorns. And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things choke out the effectiveness of the word in their lives, and so the Word does not bring forth fruit.
Jesus said to His disciples, "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should be My disciples, and that you should bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain." The greatest desire I have is that my life bring forth fruit that does remain.
Womack. Mark 4:14 - the seed represents the Word of God. The four types of soil represent four categories of people’s, each with a specific heart receptivity to the Word.
The heart has no desire for God’s Word. The Word never gets inside the heart but lays on the surface where it’s easily stolen by the devil.
This same parable was recorded in Matthew 13:3-23. In Matthew 13:19, Jesus said that Satan has the ability to steal this Word from those who understand it not. Therefore, understanding is the first step in getting God’s Word down on the inside of us. This is why we teach children on a level they can understand. Without understanding, Satan has complete access to steal the truths of God’s Word from us.
The only one of these four types of ground, or hearts, where Satan has free access to steal away the Word is this first one where there is no understanding.
The second type of heart is the person who understood the Word and is excited about it, but that person didn’t take the time to get God’s Word rooted inside. The Word germinated, but it didn’t produce fruit because it didn’t have a good root system.
Roots develop underground, out of sight. Most people want the visible results of fruit, but they don’t want to develop the root system necessary to produce and sustain the fruit. A seed that germinates in shallow earth will put all its energies into growth above ground, because there is nowhere else for its growth to go. So, at first, it looks better than the seed that is putting its effort into building a good root system. But when the sun starts drying out the plant, the root system isn’t there to sustain it, and it will wither and die.
Most people don’t like the root-building process. They want to experience the benefits of the visible Word in their lives, but they don’t want to spend time with God and His Word, letting that Word get rooted and established in them. So, there can be visible results in a person’s life who listens to someone else minister the Word. But when things get tough, only the Word that has personal roots in our hearts will bear fruit.
Afflictions and persecutions aren’t blessings from God. They come against us from the devil in an attempt to steal away the Word of God. Notice that they come for the Word’s sake. Persecution isn’t personal like we think. It’s all about the Word.
If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that yelps the loudest got hit. That’s the way it is with persecution. Those who persecute us the most are the ones who are under the most conviction. It really isn’t about us but about the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which they are resisting. Look at Saul on the road to Damascus. Acts 9.
Notice that the seed was scattered - not where furrows are made, and the seeds evenly spaced. This is sowing where the seeds are thrown everywhere. Likewise, God’s Word is supposed to be given to everyone. We don’t just pick a few here and there to share the Word with. We need to give it to everyone. It’s true that not everyone will receive, but that’s not our business. Our job is to sow everywhere. It’s up to the individuals whether or not they receive.
We can only focus on so many things. If we want fruitfulness, we need to focus on the Word and no other things that can occupy us. Just as the earth only has so many nutrients and weeds take nourishment that could be going to the desired plant, so all the things of this world will steal energy from us that could be going into the Word of God.
Notice that distracting things are not necessarily bad things. We have to be occupied with the affairs of this life to a degree. But there must be a proper balance among job, family, leisure, and the Word. We don’t strike this balance once and are through with it. This is something that constantly varies based on our seasons of life. The only way to maintain the proper balance is to maintain a vibrant relationship with the Lord. He will reveal to us any time we begin to be too focused on something other than Him (Philippians 3:15).
The strength of the laser lies in its focus. If the focus is diffused, the laser ceases to be powerful. Likewise, the power of the Christian is amplified by a single focus (Philippians 3:13).
What made ground “good?” It has less weeds and fewer rocks to drain the nutrients. So, for our hearts to be good ground doesn’t take more. It takes less–less occupation with the things of the world and more focus on the Lord.
Even among those who were fruitful, there are varying degrees of fruitfulness – not dictated by the Sower. It’s all about the condition of the soil. God’s Word is an incorruptible seed (1 Peter 1:23) and has the same potential in every situation. The Word is not variable.
This really encourages me. I know I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I may not have all the talents and abilities that others have. But if fruitfulness is all about having less, I can do that. Thank You, Jesus.
Verses 21-25.
21 He also said to them, “A lamp[a] isn’t brought to be put under a basket[b] or under a bed, is it? Isn’t it to be placed on a lampstand? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be revealed,[c] and nothing concealed except to be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, he had better listen!”[d] 24 And he said to them, “Take care about what you hear. The measure you use will be the measure you receive,[e] and more will be added to you. 25 For whoever has will be given more, but[f] whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
TPT notes. V. 21. The Jewish people considered the Torah, God’s Word, to be a lamp that gives light to see and understand. Israel was meant to be a light that gives illumination to the nations. Jesus also calls his followers those who “light up the world.” Mt. 5:14.
“The Word is a “seed” which grows within us and a “lamp” that glows within us.”
Swaggart. V. 22. Everything truth of the Gospel will be brought out.
Wesley. And he said, Is a candle — As if he had said, I explain these things to you, I give you this light, not to conceal, but to impart it to others. And if I conceal anything from you now, it is only that it may be more effectually manifested hereafter. Matthew 5:15; Luke 8:16; Luke 11:33. Take heed what ye hear — That is, attend to what you hear, that it may have its due influence upon you. With what measure you mete — That is, according to the improvement you make of what you have heard, still farther assistance shall be given. And to you that hear — That is, with improvement. He that hath — That improves whatever he has received, to the good of others, as well as of his own soul. Matthew 13:12; Luke 8:18.
Smith. And unless our ears are open by the Spirit of God, we don't have ears to hear. It is only as the Spirit gives us the capacity.
Womack. This parable continues the theme of fruitfulness. A candle or lamp is not to be hid but rather displayed so that everyone can benefit from its light. Likewise, Christians must let their light so shine before people that they might see their good works and glorify their Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). God has ordained Christians to go and bring forth fruit (John 15:16). The church’s great commission is to reach the world (Matthew 24:14 and 28:19-20).
What a sobering scripture. There are no secrets with God. In context, this could also be about no hidden truths but everything eventually being revealed through the Holy Spirit (Mark 4:11-12).
Our response to what the Lord speaks to us determines how much more revelation we get. Jesus won’t give us more revelation if we aren’t using what we already have?
We need to hold the truths of God’s Word in our hearts. To those who love and protect God’s Word, more will be given. But those who neglect what God has shown them, the few things they have will be taken from them. People will lose their revelations if they don’t use them.
Verses 26-29.
26 He also said, “The kingdom of God[a] is like someone who spreads seed on the ground. 27 He goes to sleep and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 By itself the soil produces a crop, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain[b] in the head. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he sends in the sickle[c] because the harvest has come.”
NET notes. V. 29. Because the harvest has come. This parable is found only in Mark (cf. Matt 13:24-30) and presents a complete picture of the coming of God’s kingdom: (1) sowing; (2) growth; (3) harvest. Some understand the parable as a reference to evangelism. While this is certainly involved, it does not seem to be the central idea. In contrast to the parable of the Sower which emphasizes the quality of the different soils, this parable emphasizes the power of the seed to cause growth (with the clear implication that the mysterious growth of the kingdom is accomplished by God), apart from human understanding and observation.
Wesley. So is the kingdom of God — The inward kingdom is like seed which a man casts into the ground - This a preacher of the Gospel casts into the heart. And he sleeps and rises night and day - That is, he has it continually in his thoughts. Meantime it springs and grows up he knows not how - Even he that sowed it cannot explain how it grows. For as the earth by a curious kind of mechanism, which the greatest philosophers cannot comprehend, does as it were spontaneously bring forth first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear: so, the soul, in an inexplicable manner, brings forth, first weak graces, then stronger, then full holiness: and all this of itself, as a machine, whose spring of motion is within itself. Yet observe the amazing exactness of the comparison. The earth brings forth no corn (as the soul no holiness) without both the care and toil of man, and the benign influence of heaven.
Smith. But the word of God will have its effect in your life. And gradually you will see your life being transformed and changed just by the power of the word that is coming into your heart day by day. The glorious power of God's word changing a person's life. For if you sow to the Spirit, then of the Spirit you're going to reap.
Womack.
The interpretation of this parable parallels that of the interpretation of the tares found in Matthew 13:36-43. Remember that this parable was spoken during the same teaching when Jesus gave the parable of the tares sown among the wheat. The seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11), which produces the children of the kingdom (the Church - Matthew 13:38), and the ground is the world. The church will continue to grow until this Gospel of the kingdom has been preached in all the world, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). The harvest is the end of the world when the church is fully ripe or complete.
God’s Word takes time to work. It works effortlessly and automatically, but it all takes time. We don’t have to understand it; we should just plant it and let it do the work.
The key is the seed staying in the ground. If this man had dug the seed up each morning to see what was happening and then replanted it, it would never grow. We just have to put God’s Word in our hearts and leave it there. We can’t get a harvest with a part-time seed.
Notice that this man didn’t know how seedtime and harvest worked. Mankind, with all of our wisdom, can’t make a seed. We’ve learned how to cooperate with the laws God created, but we really don’t totally understand the concept. That doesn’t keep us from reaping the benefits though. We sow seeds and reap the harvest even though we don’t have total understanding. Likewise, we don’t have to totally understand the process of how God’s Word produces fruit. All we have to do is sow it in our hearts and nurture it, and it will bring forth fruit of itself.
God created our hearts to release the power of His Word just like the ground releases the power in seeds. The ground doesn’t care what type of seed is planted. It will start the growth process. Likewise, our hearts don’t choose to release only the power in God’s Word. Any word planted in our hearts will begin to produce. We need to be very selective what we let in our hearts.
This growth doesn’t happen all at once. There is first the blade, then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear. There are always steps to the fulfillment of a vision or word from God. Those who haven’t taken baby steps will never take great steps.
The ground produces fruit automatically. Likewise, our hearts are made to automatically produce whatever seed we sow in it.
Notice that the earth is spoken of as being feminine. It has everything it needs to produce fruit except the seed or sperm.
In most instances, when grains, vegetables, or fruits are ripe, they must be harvested immediately. If not harvested quickly, grains will fall off stalks; be consumed by birds, insects, or rodents; or become moldy in humid weather. Fruits and vegetables will either rot, dry up on the vine, or be consumed by insects and birds. A very productive harvest can be totally destroyed if it is not harvested at the right time. Only God the Father knows the precise moment when the first fruits of the earth (James 1:18) will be harvested (Matthew 24:36). We can rest assured that it will be as soon as the church is completed.
Swaggart. The gospel will grow when the seed is planted. It may be slow; it may not seem to be growing but it is growing. God will have a people who follow Him, serve Him, and ultimately reign with Him.
“Brings for fruit of herself.” “Of herself” is translated from “automate.” The meaning is “self-moved” made up of “autos” (self) and “memaa: (to desire eagerly). The total meaning is “self-moved, spontaneously, without external aid and even beyond control.” From this, we get our word “automatic.”
Smith. God's word is being planted in your heart. As you come Sunday nights, and as we go over the word, and as you're hearing the word, the seed is being sown, the seed is being planted. And you go home, you sleep, you live life as normal, but the word of God is having its effect. You can't always see it immediately, but there is that growth. First the blade and then the stalk, then the ear, then the full corn. But the word of God will have its effect in your life. And gradually you will see your life being transformed and changed just by the power of the word that is coming into your heart day by day. The glorious power of God's word changing a person's life. For if you sow to the Spirit, then of the Spirit you're going to reap.
Verses 30-32.
30 He also asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God,[a] or what parable can we use to present it? 31 It is like a mustard seed[b] that when sown in the ground, even though it is the smallest of all the seeds in the ground— 32 when it is sown, it grows up,[c] becomes the greatest of all garden plants, and grows large branches so that the wild birds[d] can nest in its shade.”
TPT notes. This is an allegory to describe God’s Kingdom realm. In the beginning, it’s small and insignificant but it grows until it’s the biggest Kingdom of all. God’s Kingdom is growing on the earth, not diminishing. Ez. 17: 22-24.
Swaggart. A very small seed, but it grew into a mustard plant, which in Israel, can be from 6-9 feet tall. The larger ones had 1-inch branches with a wooden like quality. The Kingdom expands with the disclosure of the Gospel. These numbers swell and each will eventually rule and reign in the Kingdom. Despite all historic persecutions, the Kingdom has grown and expanded. The citizens of the Kingdom will rule and reign with the King.
Evans. The mustard seed could grow into a large bush where the birds could build nests.
Womack. This is recorded in Matthew 13:31-32. Jesus taught this parable about one year later (Luke 13:18-19). Indeed, the mustard seed is very tiny, yet when fully grown, can attain a height of ten feet or more. The smallest of all herb seeds produces the largest herb shrub or tree. The church grows from small beginnings to a kingdom that that fills all the earth (Daniel 2:34-35 and 44).
This parable can be applied on a personal level. Just as the kingdom of God must grow, there is growth in our own personal lives (Acts 9:22, Ephesians 4:15, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Peter 2:2, and 2 Peter 3:18). A seed grows downward for nourishment before it grows upward. The seed’s root system is not visible. It’s easy to become impatient for visible fruit. We can’t neglect our roots. I remember the day in Vietnam when I was on barracks guard while the other people in my company were going through the gas chamber. I was studying this verse and longing to be like this big tree that was greater than all the others and gave shelter to the fowls of the air. While I was dreaming of this, the Lord spoke to me that if He did grant me this growth with the puny root system I had at that moment, the first puff of wind would topple my tree. The first bird that sat on a branch would cause the whole thing to fall over. He really impressed on me that I needed to let the Word take root in me, and then growth would come. It changed my focus and directed me to meditate in the Word much more than I had. Thank You, Jesus!
Verses 33-34.
33 So[a] with many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.
Wesley. He spake the word as they were able to hear it — Adapting it to the capacity of his hearers; and speaking as plain as he could without offending them. A rule never to be forgotten by those who instruct others.
Womack. The Lord didn’t give the disciples more than they could handle. So, it is with us. With revelation comes responsibility and accountability (Luke 12:48). Increased revelation only increases our failure if we were not ready for it. Therefore, in love, the Lord deals with us as we are able to bear it. The disciples once asked Jesus why He spoke in parables (Matthew 13:10-17, Mark 4:10-13, and Luke 8:9-10). His reply was that this is done to hide these truths from the unbelievers. They had a special anointing from God to understand (1 John 2:20), but those outside of the faith didn’t.
Verses 35-41.
35 On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.”[b] 36 So[c] after leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat,[d] and other boats were with him. 37 Now[e] a great windstorm[f] developed and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped. 38 But[g] he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” 39 So[h] he got up and rebuked[i] the wind, and said to the sea,[j] “Be quiet! Calm down!” Then[k] the wind stopped, and it was dead calm. 40 And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?” 41 They were overwhelmed by fear and said to one another, “Who then is this?[l] Even the wind and sea obey him!”
Verse 39. Rebuked could be “commanded.”
Verse 41. This section in Mark (4:35-5:43) contains four miracles: (1) the calming of the storm; (2) the exorcism of the demon-possessed man; (3) the giving of life to Jairus’ daughter; (4) the healing of the woman hemorrhaging for twelve years. All these miracles demonstrate Jesus’ right to proclaim the kingdom message and his sovereign authority over forces, directly or indirectly, hostile to the kingdom. The last three may have been brought together to show that Jesus had power over all defilement, since contact with graves, blood, or a corpse was regarded under Jewish law as causing a state of ritual uncleanness.
Smith. First, He rebuked the wind and the waves, and then He rebuked the disciples. He rebuked them for having no faith. Why would He do that? The ship was full of water; it looked like it was going to sink. Why would He rebuke them for not having faith? Because you go back to the beginning, what He first said, "Let us pass over unto the other side." He didn't say, "Let's go under." He said, "Let us pass over to the other side." And when Jesus said, "Let us pass over to the other side," there's no way they could go under. You see, this is God speaking, and God's word must come to pass. And that's why He rebuked them, for little faith. Because they had His word that they were going to go over to the other side. He had told them, "Now, be careful what you hear."
Womack. They take him as he was in the vessel — They carried him immediately in the same vessel from which he had been preaching to the people. Peace — Cease thy tossing: Be still - Cease thy roaring; literally, Be thou gagged.
Womack. V. 35. The same day as what? The same day that He had been teaching them about the power of God’s Word. He had instructed them that God’s Word was a seed and that they needed to protect and act on that Word. Then He tested them to see if they had learned anything. He gave them a word, a seed, to see if they would be moved by His Word or by their senses and circumstances.
He told them to pass over the sea to the other side. He didn’t tell them to drown halfway across. The Creator of the sea told them to go to the other side. If they had understood what He was teaching them, they could have put faith in His Word and gotten to the other side by their faith in His Word. They didn’t need to awaken Him.
The Jews, as part of their daily schedule, divided evening into two sections. The first was from 3 p.m. to sunset and the second part of the evening was after sunset. Considering the time, it took to traverse the Sea of Galilee hindered by a raging storm, darkness may have already come by the time Jesus confronted the Gadarene demoniac. If the earlier of the two evening designations was meant here, the sea crossing, the incident with the demoniac, and the rejection of Christ by the people there may all have taken place before sunset. At any rate, nightfall was either near or already present by the time these three incidents had transpired. The incident of Jairus seeking Jesus’ help probably took place the next day.
Jesus did not say, “Let us go out into the midst of the sea and drown in a storm”; He was going to the other side. This shows that the disciples still didn’t understand Jesus’ authority. They were committed to Him as their Messiah, but they hadn’t yet realized that Jesus was Lord even over the physical elements (Mark 4:41). Many Christians still do this today. They receive the spiritual benefits of salvation but have not reaped the physical benefits of health, which are also part of our salvation.
Mark’s Gospel is the only one to mention the “other little ships.” They may have offered some a better vantage point to hear and see Jesus as He taught from the ship (Mark 4:1) than standing or sitting on the shore with the huge crowd. After the multitude was sent away, these other ships accompanied Jesus’, from which He had taught, as it began to cross the lake. If so, when the storm arose, many more lives were in danger than just Jesus and His apostles, and a far larger number of people may have witnessed Jesus stilling the storm than just that of His immediate circle of friends.
He had already told the disciples to take Him to the other side. They had a word from God that they were supposed to act on. Instead, the circumstances were more real and dominant than God’s Word, and they believed they were going to drown. They were supposed to handle this. Jesus’s part was to give them the promise and then they were supposed to obey it and get to the other side.
Notice that Jesus rebuked the wind, not the waves. Rick Renner reveals that the Greek word used for “rebuked” here is literally speaking of humiliating or shaming. Just saying “I rebuke you” to the devil doesn’t catch the true meaning of what Jesus did here. He totally shamed the demonic power that whipped up this wind. Similarly, when we rebuke the devil, we need to speak against him in such demeaning terms that it humiliates him and makes him flee in shame.
Notice also that after Jesus rebuked the demonic power that had stirred up this wind, He spoke peace to the sea. If Jesus had only rebuked the wind, then it would have taken a little while for the sea to calm down naturally. But He also spoke peace to the sea. When we rebuke sickness, we also need to speak supernatural healing to the body. That will speed up the total manifestation.
Jesus had a harder time calming the disciples than He had in taming the wind and the sea. Likewise, curing physical sickness and disease is much easier than curing sick thinking.
This is a good example of godly fear. The disciples weren't afraid in the sense that they feared Jesus punishing them, but this instance increased their honor and respect for Jesus. The Greek word translated "fear" is the same Greek word translated "reverence" in Ephesians 5:33. Their reverence for Jesus exceeded more than ever before.