Mark 4

Commentary

The Parable of the Sower

(Matthew 13:1-9; Luke 8:4-15)

1And he began again to teach by the sea side: 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. 2And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The Purpose of Jesus' Parables

(Matthew 13:10-17)

10And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

The Parable of the Sower Explained

(Matthew 13:18-23)

13And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14The sower soweth the word. 15And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. 18And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

The Lesson of the Lamp

(Luke 8:16-18)

21And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

The Seed Growing Secretly

26And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

(Matthew 13:31-32; Luke 13:18-19)

30And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

33And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 34But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Jesus Stills the Storm

(Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25)

35And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Parable of the Sower
(Matthew 13:1–9; Luke 8:4–8)

1 Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea, and sat down. All the multitude were on the land by the sea. 2 He taught them many things in parables, and told them in his teaching,

3 “Listen! Behold, the farmer went out to sow, 4 and it happened, as he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil. 6 When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 Others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some brought forth thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much.” 9 He said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The Purpose of Jesus’ Parables
(Isaiah 6:1–13; Matthew 13:10–17; Luke 8:9–10)

10 When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables, 12 that ‘seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.’”

The Parable of the Sower Explained
(Matthew 13:18–23; Luke 8:11–15)

13 He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 16 These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17 They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble. 18 Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word, 19 and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times.”

The Lesson of the Lamp
(Luke 8:16–18)

21 He said to them, “Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a stand? 22 For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light. 23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear. 25 For whoever has, to him will more be given, and he who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.”

The Seed Growing Secretly

26 He said, “The Kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed on the earth, 27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he doesn’t know how. 28 For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts forth the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed
(Matthew 13:31–32; Luke 13:18–19)

30 He said, “How will we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what parable will we illustrate it? 31 It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth, 32 yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”

33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 Without a parable he didn’t speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

Jesus Calms the Storm
(Psalm 107:1–43; Matthew 8:23–27; Luke 8:22–25)

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him. 37 A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled. 38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?” 39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

The Parable of the Sower
(Matthew 13:1–9; Luke 8:4–8)

1 Once again Jesus began to teach beside the sea, and such a large crowd gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people crowded along the shore.

2 And He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said, 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

5 Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings, and they yielded no crop.

8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprouted, grew up, and produced a crop—one bearing thirtyfold, another sixtyfold, and another a hundredfold.”

9 Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The Purpose of Jesus’ Parables
(Isaiah 6:1–13; Matthew 13:10–17; Luke 8:9–10)

10 As soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve and those around Him, they asked Him about the parable.

11 He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables, 12 so that,

‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,

and ever hearing but never understanding;

otherwise they might turn

and be forgiven.’ a”

The Parable of the Sower Explained
(Matthew 13:18–23; Luke 8:11–15)

13 Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some are like the seeds b along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

16 Some are like the seeds sown on rocky ground. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But they themselves have no root, and they remain for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

18 Others are like the seeds sown among the thorns. They hear the word, 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

20 Still others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, receive it, and produce a crop—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold.”

The Lesson of the Lamp
(Luke 8:16–18)

21 Jesus also said to them, “Does anyone bring in a lamp to put it under a basket or under a bed? Doesn’t he set it on a stand? 22 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light.

23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

24 He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you. 25 For whoever has will be given more. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

The Seed Growing Secretly

26 Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how. 28 All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within. 29 And as soon as the grain is ripe, he swings the sickle, because the harvest has come. c”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed
(Matthew 13:31–32; Luke 13:18–19)

30 Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth. 32 But after it is planted, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air nest in its shade.”

33 With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand. 34 He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.

Jesus Calms the Storm
(Psalm 107:1–43; Matthew 8:23–27; Luke 8:22–25)

35 When that evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side.” 36 After they had dismissed the crowd, they took Jesus with them, since He was already in the boat. And there were other boats with Him.

37 Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?”

39 Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.

40 “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?”

41 Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

 

Footnotes:

12 a Isaiah 6:9–10 (see also LXX)
15 b Or the word ; similarly in verses 16, 18, and 20; literally Now these are the ones
29 c See Joel 3:13, including LXX.

The Parable of the Sower

(Matthew 13:1-9; Luke 8:4-15)

1And again he began to teach by the sea, and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he, having gone into the boat, sat in the sea, and all the multitude was near the sea, on the land, 2and he taught them many things in similes, and he said to them in his teaching: 3'Hearken, lo, the sower went forth to sow; 4and it came to pass, in the sowing, some fell by the way, and the fowls of the heaven did come and devour it; 5and other fell upon the rocky ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately it sprang forth, because of not having depth of earth, 6and the sun having risen, it was scorched, and because of not having root it did wither; 7and other fell toward the thorns, and the thorns did come up, and choke it, and fruit it gave not; 8and other fell to the good ground, and was giving fruit, coming up and increasing, and it bare, one thirty-fold, and one sixty, and one an hundred.' 9And he said to them, 'He who is having ears to hear -- let him hear.'

The Purpose of Jesus' Parables

(Matthew 13:10-17)

10And when he was alone, those about him, with the twelve, did ask him of the simile, 11and he said to them, 'To you it hath been given to know the secret of the reign of God, but to those who are without, in similes are all the things done; 12that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest they may turn, and the sins may be forgiven them.'

The Parable of the Sower Explained

(Matthew 13:18-23)

13And he saith to them, 'Have ye not known this simile? and how shall ye know all the similes? 14He who is sowing doth sow the word; 15and these are they by the way where the word is sown: and whenever they may hear, immediately cometh the Adversary, and he taketh away the word that hath been sown in their hearts. 16'And these are they, in like manner, who on the rocky ground are sown: who, whenever they may hear the word, immediately with joy do receive it, 17and have not root in themselves, but are temporary; afterward tribulation or persecution having come because of the word, immediately they are stumbled. 18'And these are they who toward the thorns are sown: these are they who are hearing the word, 19and the anxieties of this age, and the deceitfulness of the riches, and the desires concerning the other things, entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20'And these are they who on the good ground have been sown: who do hear the word, and receive, and do bear fruit, one thirty-fold, and one sixty, and one an hundred.'

The Lesson of the Lamp

(Luke 8:16-18)

21And he said to them, 'Doth the lamp come that under the measure it may be put, or under the couch -- not that it may be put on the lamp-stand? 22for there is not anything hid that may not be manifested, nor was anything kept hid but that it may come to light. 23If any hath ears to hear -- let him hear.' 24And he said to them, 'Take heed what ye hear; in what measure ye measure, it shall be measured to you; and to you who hear it shall be added; 25for whoever may have, there shall be given to him, and whoever hath not, also that which he hath shall be taken from him.'

The Seed Growing Secretly

26And he said, 'Thus is the reign of God: as if a man may cast the seed on the earth, 27and may sleep, and may rise night and day, and the seed spring up and grow, he hath not known how; 28for of itself doth the earth bear fruit, first a blade, afterwards an ear, afterwards full corn in the ear; 29and whenever the fruit may yield itself, immediately he doth send forth the sickle, because the harvest hath come.'

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

(Matthew 13:31-32; Luke 13:18-19)

30And he said, 'To what may we liken the reign of God, or in what simile may we compare it? 31As a grain of mustard, which, whenever it may be sown on the earth, is less than any of the seeds that are on the earth; 32and whenever it may be sown, it cometh up, and doth become greater than any of the herbs, and doth make great branches, so that under its shade the fowls of the heaven are able to rest.'

33And with many such similes he was speaking to them the word, as they were able to hear, 34and without a simile he was not speaking to them, and by themselves, to his disciples he was expounding all.

Jesus Stills the Storm

(Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25)

35And he saith to them on that day, evening having come, 'We may pass over to the other side;' 36and having let away the multitude, they take him up as he was in the boat, and other little boats also were with him. 37And there cometh a great storm of wind, and the waves were beating on the boat, so that it is now being filled, 38and he himself was upon the stern, upon the pillow sleeping, and they wake him up, and say to him, 'Teacher, art thou not caring that we perish?' 39And having waked up, he rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be stilled;' and the wind did lull, and there was a great calm: 40and he said to them, 'Why are ye so fearful? how have ye not faith?' 41and they feared a great fear, and said one to another, 'Who, then, is this, that even the wind and the sea do obey him?'

The Favor of God Message paraphrase

The Parable of the Sower

¹ Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. A crowd so large gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge.

² He taught them many things by parables, and in His teaching said:

³ “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.

⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.

⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.

⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew, and produced a crop—some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

⁹ Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear!”

The Purpose of Parables

¹⁰ When He was alone, the Twelve and the others around Him asked Him about the parables.

¹¹ He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables

¹² so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’”*

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹³ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?

¹⁴ The farmer sows the word.

¹⁵ Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

¹⁶ Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.

¹⁷ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

¹⁸ Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;

¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

²⁰ Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

A Lamp on a Stand

²¹ He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?

²² For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.

²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”

²⁴ “Consider carefully what you hear,” He continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.

²⁵ Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.

²⁷ Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

²⁸ All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.

²⁹ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ Again He said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?

³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.

³² Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

Jesus’ Use of Parables

³³ With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.

³⁴ He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when He was alone with His own disciples, He explained everything.

Jesus Calms the Storm

³⁵ That day when evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”

³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him.

³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, don’t You care if we drown?”

³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰ He said to His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!”

Footnotes:

4:12: This is a reference to Isaiah 6:9-10, illustrating the idea that some will hear the truth of God’s kingdom but remain resistant or unwilling to understand and turn to Him for healing.

4:14: The “word” refers to the message of God’s kingdom, and the different soils represent the various responses of people’s hearts to that message.

4:21: A lamp on a stand illustrates that God’s truth is meant to shine and be visible to others, not hidden or kept secret.

4:25: This principle of giving more to those who have reflects the idea that spiritual growth comes to those who are open and receptive to God’s word, while those who resist will lose even what little they have.

4:27: The mystery of how the seed grows speaks to the unseen, natural power of God’s kingdom growing in the hearts of people, even when it’s not fully understood.

4:32: The mustard seed, though small, grows into something great, symbolizing how God’s kingdom starts small but expands to include and bless many.

4:39: Jesus’ calming of the storm shows His divine authority over nature, demonstrating that He is not only the Messiah but also the Lord over creation itself.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Mark 4?
2Introduction to Mark 4
3Context of Mark 4
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Mark 4 Unique Insights
7Mark 4 Connections to Yeshua
8Mark 4 Scriptural Echoes
9Mark 4 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Mark 4?

Introduction to Mark 4

Mark 4 stands as a pivotal chapter in the Gospel, where the Messiah’s teaching ministry reaches new depths through the power of parables. This chapter contains some of Yeshua’s most well-known agricultural metaphors, including the Parable of the Sower and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. These earthly stories with heavenly meanings reveal profound truths about the Kingdom of God and its mysterious growth in both individuals and throughout history.

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The chapter’s significance lies not only in its collection of parables but also in its revelation of how Yeshua taught the crowds versus His disciples, demonstrating different levels of spiritual understanding and the importance of seeking deeper meaning beyond surface-level interpretations. The chapter concludes with a dramatic demonstration of Yeshua’s divine authority over nature, weaving together His roles as master teacher and sovereign Lord.

Context of Mark 4

Within Mark’s Gospel, chapter 4 marks a transition in Yeshua’s ministry. Following His early miracles and growing opposition from religious leaders in chapters 1-3, He begins teaching extensively through parables. This shift in teaching method is not arbitrary but strategic, allowing Him to both reveal and conceal truth depending on the spiritual receptivity of His audience. The chapter falls within what scholars often call the “Year of Popularity” in Yeshua’s ministry, where large crowds followed Him along the Sea of Galilee.

In the broader context of Scripture, Mark 4 echoes numerous Old Testament themes. The agricultural imagery recalls Isaiah 55:10-11, where God’s Word is compared to seed that accomplishes His purposes. The metaphor of sowing and harvest appears throughout the Tanakh, from the creation mandate to the prophetic literature. Additionally, Yeshua’s calming of the storm connects to passages like Psalm 107:23-32, which depicts יהוה’s sovereignty over the seas.

The chapter also sets up important themes that will develop throughout Mark’s Gospel, particularly the mystery of the Kingdom of God, the importance of spiritual hearing, and the true identity of Yeshua. These themes culminate in the later chapters where the disciples’ understanding gradually grows until their full recognition of Yeshua as the Messiah.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Parable (παραβολή/parabolē): More than just a simple story, this term in Greek indicates placing one thing beside another for comparison. In Hebrew thought (mashal/משל), it encompasses various forms of figurative speech including proverbs, riddles, and analogies. The use of parables was a common rabbinical teaching method, but Yeshua elevated it to new heights.
  • Mystery (μυστήριον/mystērion): In verse 11, this word doesn’t mean a puzzle to be solved but rather divine truth previously hidden and now revealed to those with spiritual understanding. It’s related to the Hebrew concept of “sod” (סוד), referring to deeper spiritual meanings beneath the surface.
  • Hear/Listen (ἀκούω/akouō): This word appears repeatedly and carries the Hebrew sense of “shema” (שמע) – not just auditory reception but active obedience. The emphasis on hearing echoes the great Jewish prayer: “Hear, O Israel” (Deuteronomy 6:4).
  • Kingdom (βασιλεία/basileia): References the Kingdom of God, in Hebrew “Malchut Shamayim” (מלכות שמים). This term encompasses God’s sovereign rule, present reality, and future consummation – a concept central to Jewish messianic expectation.
  • Seed (σπόρος/sporos): Beyond its literal meaning, carries rich theological significance in Jewish thought, connecting to concepts of potential, growth, and multiplication found in the creation narrative and throughout Scripture.
  • Grow (αὐξάνω/auxanō): Implies both natural and supernatural growth, used in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew “צמח” (tzamach), often associated with messianic prophecies like Jeremiah 23:5.
  • Fear (φόβος/phobos): In verse 41, this isn’t mere fright but holy awe and reverence, similar to the Hebrew “yirah” (יראה), often associated with divine encounters in the Tanakh.
  • Peace/Be Still (σιώπα πεφίμωσο/siōpa pephimōso): Literally “be silent, be muzzled” – terms of authority used for commanding demons elsewhere in Mark, suggesting this is more than just controlling weather but exercising authority over spiritual forces.
  • Path/Way (ὁδός/hodos): Used in the parable of the sower, connects to the Hebrew “derech” (דרך), a rich biblical metaphor for lifestyle and spiritual journey.

Compare & Contrast

  • Mark 4:3-8: The Parable of the Sower could have been told using any number of agricultural scenarios, but the choice of sowing seed was particularly relevant in first-century Jewish agricultural life. The seemingly wasteful method of broadcasting seed even on poor soil reflects actual farming practices of the time and serves as a powerful metaphor for the generous spreading of God’s Word.
  • Mark 4:11-12: The citation of Isaiah 6:9-10 is significant. The Greek text follows the Septuagint rather than the Hebrew Masoretic text, emphasizing the judicial aspect of parables in hiding truth from those who refuse to truly hear.
  • Mark 4:21-22: The lamp imagery could have used other light sources common in antiquity (like torches), but the choice of a household lamp (λύχνος/lychnos) specifically recalls the menorah in the Temple, connecting everyday spiritual life with Temple worship.
  • Mark 4:26-29: The phrase “the earth produces by itself” (αὐτομάτη/automatē) is a rare word in the New Testament, used in the Septuagint for the spontaneous growth in the Sabbath year (Leviticus 25:5), suggesting divine provision apart from human effort.
  • Mark 4:30-32: The mustard seed parable uses deliberate hyperbole – while mustard plants grew large, they weren’t typically the largest garden plant. This overstatement serves to emphasize the surprising nature of Kingdom growth.
  • Mark 4:35-41: The Greek construction of Yeshua’s command to the storm uses language of extreme authority, similar to exorcism formulas, suggesting this is more than just controlling weather but demonstrating authority over cosmic forces of chaos.

Mark 4 Unique Insights

The chapter presents a fascinating interplay between revelation and concealment. The Greek text makes clear that Yeshua taught “as they were able to hear” (καθὼς ἠδύναντο ἀκούειν), suggesting a pedagogical principle found in rabbinic literature known as “l’fi da’atan” (לפי דעתן) – teaching according to the capacity of the learner. This mirrors the rabbinic concept of PaRDeS (פרדס), where Scripture can be understood at multiple levels: Peshat (simple), Remez (hint), Derash (search), and Sod (secret).

Early church father Origen saw in the four soils an allegory for different levels of spiritual understanding, connecting them to the four rivers of Eden. This interpretation, while not the primary meaning, reflects the early church’s recognition of multiple layers of meaning in Scripture, similar to Jewish interpretative methods.

The sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee (verse 37) wasn’t merely a natural phenomenon. The Greek word for “great storm” (λαῖλαψ/lailaps) suggests a demon-driven tempest, similar to the one in Job 1. Some rabbinical sources connected storms with spiritual warfare, seeing them as manifestations of the cosmic battle between order and chaos, reminiscent of Genesis 1.

The chronological placement of this chapter in Mark’s Gospel also carries significance. Coming after the conflict with religious leaders over Sabbath observance and before the encounter with the Gerasene demoniac, it forms part of a larger section demonstrating Yeshua’s authority over various domains: teaching, nature, demons, and ultimately, death itself.

Mark 4 Connections to Yeshua

The parables in this chapter reveal profound truths about Yeshua’s messianic mission. The Parable of the Sower anticipates the varied responses to His ministry and the future spread of the Gospel, while the Parable of the Mustard Seed foreshadows the surprising nature of His Kingdom – not the political triumph many expected, but a spiritual reality growing from humble beginnings to encompass all nations.

Yeshua’s authority over the storm demonstrates His divine nature in a uniquely powerful way. The disciples’ question, “Who then is this?” echoes Psalm 89:8-9, where יהוה alone has power over the seas. This miracle, therefore, isn’t just about weather control but reveals Yeshua’s identity as the divine Son of God, exercising the very power of יהוה Himself. The peaceful resolution of the storm also points forward to His ultimate calming of the chaos of sin and death through His death and resurrection.

Mark 4 Scriptural Echoes

The agricultural imagery throughout the chapter recalls numerous Old Testament passages:

These connections demonstrate how Yeshua’s ministry fulfills and extends the promises and patterns found throughout the Tanakh.

Mark 4 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own spiritual receptivity. The four soils represent not just different types of people, but different states our own hearts can be in at various times. We’re called to cultivate good soil through regular exposure to God’s Word, protective barriers against the enemy’s attacks, and deep roots that can withstand life’s trials.

The parables about growth remind us that the Kingdom’s advance often seems imperceptible day by day, yet is unstoppable in the long run. This encourages patience in our spiritual growth and ministry efforts, trusting God’s timing and methods rather than demanding immediate results.

Finally, the storm narrative invites us to trust Yeshua’s presence and power in our own storms. Just as He was in perfect control while appearing to sleep, He remains sovereign over our circumstances even when He seems inactive. Our call is to trust His character and authority rather than panic at our circumstances.

Did You Know

  • The Greek word for “parable” (παραβολή) appears 13 times in this single chapter – more than any other chapter in Mark’s Gospel.
  • The “measure” mentioned in verse 24 likely refers to a seah (סאה), a common Jewish unit of dry measure, about 7.3 liters.
  • The Sea of Galilee lies 700 feet below sea level and is surrounded by hills, creating conditions where violent storms can arise suddenly – exactly as described in the narrative.
  • The cushion Yeshua slept on (verse 38) was likely the leather seat used by the helmsman of the fishing boat.
  • Archaeological discoveries have found evidence of farming practices in first-century Galilee that match exactly with the agricultural details in these parables.
  • The mustard seed was proverbial in rabbinic literature for something very small, appearing in sayings like “faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.”
  • The word translated “great wind” in verse 37 (λαῖλαψ) is used only three times in the New Testament and suggests a furious squall with cyclonic winds.
  • The phrase “be still” used to calm the sea is the same Greek word (φιμόω) used for muzzling a wild animal or silencing a demon.
  • The disciples’ fear after the storm (verse 41) uses a Greek term (φόβος μέγας) that typically describes the response to a theophany – a direct encounter with God.
  • The boats mentioned in verse 36 may explain how this story was preserved in such detail – there were multiple witnesses present.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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