Today’s titles are; Verses 1-20 The parable of the Sower. Verses 21-25 A candle under a bushel. Verses 26-29 Parable of the Seed. Verses 30-32 Parable of the mustard seed. Verses 33-34 Jesus’ use of parables. Verses 35-41 Jesus quiets the sea. Before we get started, know that parables are given for those who’s eyes or ears have been opened by God to understand. Mark 4 and verse 1 reads.
Mark 4:1] And 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.
Let’s picture what has happened. Jesus went out from shore in a small boat, and the multitude being on the shore, with high walls around them. This created what is like an amphitheater so that all could hear him speak.
Mark 4:2] And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Notice it says in His Doctrine, in another place here in Mark he says the same thing. Let’s see the depth of Mark, let’s go to Mark 12 and verse 38 reads.
Mark 12:38] And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
[39] And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
[40] Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
[41] And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
Jesus always brings the Kenites into every topic for a reason. Here with parables, they will not understand, but God’s Elect will understand. Jesus speaks boldly, without apology, and so should we. Now, about these parables, listen and have your ears wide open. Mark 4 and verse 3 reads.
Mark 4:3] Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
This Sower is one who broadcasts God’s Word, our jobs in these end times.
Mark 4:4] And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
These fowls of the air are unbelievers. They will never seem to have a chance of understanding. Their eyes and ears are closed by the LORD. Saved for another day, the millennium.
Mark 4:5] 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.
These heard and loved the Word of God. But when pressured by those of the world, they faint by the wayside. They have no backbone.
Mark 4:7] And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
These are those who the Kenites came and choked, that no fruit would come by them.
Mark 4:8] 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 an hundred.
We never know by broadcasting where the seed (The Word of God) will land. The important thing is that we cast the Word out. Do not cast your pearls before swine. Meaning if they don’t want to hear the Word then don’t cast them the Word or they will trample on it. Making the case worse for them then if they had never heard the Word.
Mark 4:9] And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Ears to hear is said 8 times in Revelation. 8 is new beginnings. But also said 19 times just here in Mark alone, from this verse through to Mark 13:7. This is said for those who the LORD has chosen to hear, God’s Elect. Now, these next few verses Jesus himself explains the parable of the Sower to his disciples, no reason for anyone else to teach any different. If they do, they are not of God.
Mark 4:10] And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
[11] And 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:
Given to those who seek him and to those without is the parable spoken. This is the reason he spoke in parables. In Timothy we learn what a pastor needs to be, let’s go to 1Tim.3 and verse 7 reads.
1Tim.3:7] Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
So, who are those “without”? These are those that are consumed by the world. These are the children of God we are sent to, to plant the seeds of God. We plant, and only God can make them grow. Jesus continues explaining the parable, Mark 4 and verse 12 reads.
Mark 4:12] That 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.
Not all can or will hear the Word of God, lest they are held accountable. This was a very important verse that many look over. He quotes Isaiah so we need to go to Isaiah 6 and pick it up with verse 8 and it reads.
Isa.6:8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Establishing this is written to those that are the Elect in the end times.
Isa.6:9] And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
[10] Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
[11] Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
[12] And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
Now we have established that it is written to the Elect in the end times. This would now pertain to you and me, and what was said to us today by Jesus above? Accountability would hurt them that are blinded. But God is the one who opens ears or closes ears, taking away the accountability from them until the millennium. Back to Mark 4 and verse 13 reads.
Mark 4:13] And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
If you don’t understand this parable, then how will you understand any parable is what Jesus just said to them, and to us today. Now listen carefully, Jesus explains the parable of the Sower.
Mark 4:14] The sower soweth the word.
We teach the Word of God.
Mark 4:15] And 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.
Satan can take away from some simply by the best way he knows how, with Pride. Notice that way side is separated from the word wayside, they are still the same. They are the lost sheep of God’s flock.
Mark 4:16] And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
[17] And 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.
These had no backbone. Because the world mattered more to them than the Word.
Mark 4:18] And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
[19] And 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.
These we should think of the Tares from Matthew 13, don’t root them up because the roots are tangled. Save them for the angels.
Mark 4:20] And 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.
These are those we cast the Word to and they receive it, no different from when we received the truth and rejoiced. Now, Jesus just explained who was who in the parable of the Sower. The parable was for those of us who plant the seeds, broadcast his Word, on those who would receive the seed. As Sowers, our job is to cast the seed and recognize where the seed lands and to whom it lands on. When we fish for men, don’t overload their donkey with all you know. But with wisdom, plant a little truth, wait for them to come back to you with a question, then sink the hook gently and reel them in slowly. God gives to all what they can handle, some thirtyfold and some sixty, and others a hundred. This, like other parables, is written for admonition on who the ends of the world have come. 1Cor.10:11. Now, Jesus teaches his disciples about that Light, the light that shines in us as we work in this world serving the LORD.
Mark 4:21] And 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?
Do you light a candle and hide it from giving its light to the room? Has he opened your eyes to the truth, and will you not share it with others? Going back to the parable of the Sower, is it not our jobs as his servants to share the Word of God with the light of Jesus shining through us.
Mark 4:22] For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
[23] If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Manifested is Made Known. It says; There is nothing hid that should not be made known. Neither was anything kept a secret, but that you share it with others. What is given to his Elect is for a purpose, and that purpose is to share it with others. Broadcast the seed, serve the LORD.
Mark 4:24] And 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.
This simply means; When God gives to you and you have given to others, then he will give more to you to give to others. This is called being a workman like those in the vineyard who came early in the morning and worked all the day for a penny.
Mark 4:25] For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
And this should remind you of those who worked in the field, and of that wicked servant who buried his coin.
Mark 4:26] And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
[27] And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
Only God can make it grow, but we are to broadcast the seed.
Mark 4:28] For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
Fishing with gentle patience and as a witness of the mighty works of God for his lost sheep.
Mark 4:29] But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
It is at the time the fruit comes forth that the harvest comes, the end times. The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Mat.9:37. But, know that all will be harvested, the good, the bad and the ugly. Let’s go to Joel 3 and verse 13 reads.
Joel 3:13] Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
[14] Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
The harvest is for the end times, the LORD’S Day. This is for the Elect to know and understand. Let’s go to Revelation 14 and verse 12 reads.
Rev.14:12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
[13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
We are the laborers, the Sowers, and our works do follow us.
Rev.14:14] And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Like unto the Son of man, because he was the Son of God.
Rev.14:15] And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
This is why we plant seeds, that God may touch them as He touched us, that God may open the eyes of those who knew there was more to God’s Word than they had been taught. Back to Mark 4 and verse 30 reads.
Mark 4:30] And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Likening the kingdom of God to another parable, listen closely.
Mark 4:31] It 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:
The smallest of the herbs as a seed. But it too must be sown.
Mark 4:32] But 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.
Though it is the smallest of seeds, it grows taller than all the other herbs. These fowls are the Kenites, the Tares. Whenever you plant seeds, expect the Kenites to come and try and take away the truth from God’s children. This is speaking directly about our churches today. Remember, he is speaking about these end times. There will be many that call themselves Christians, but are antichrist, they are false teachers. Let’s go to 1Pet.4 and verse 17 reads.
1Pet.4:17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Judgement begins at the pulpit. Now let’s go to Galatians 6 and verse 6 reads.
Gal.6:6] Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
[7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
[9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
[10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Feed his sheep, feed his lambs. Back to Mark 4 and verse 33 reads.
Mark 4:33] And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
[34] But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
He spoke only in parables to the multitude, but explained all to his disciples.
Mark 4:35] And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
[36] And 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.
Note here that we have other ships but Christ is only in one. Don’t overlook Passover to the other side. Think spiritually here.
Mark 4:37] And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
The water was coming over the sides. Let’s compare it to our lives today. When a little trouble comes our way, don’t panic, for the LORD will never leave you nor forsake you.
Mark 4:38] And 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?
Remember the words Passover to the other side? Passover is the highest sabbath, meaning Rest. We rest in Jesus. Now, did they just accuse Jesus of not caring? Read Psalms 44 in its entirety for a good lesson on accusing the LORD of sleeping. The LORD never sleeps, but He even knows our thoughts.
Mark 4:39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
We are to never argue with Satan, but rebuke him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s go to Psalms 89 and verse 7 reads.
Psa.89:7] God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
The fear (Reverence) of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Prov.1:7. We also find in Psalms 93 and verse 4 reads.
Psa.93:4] The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
And finally in Psalms 104 and verse 6 reads.
Psa.104:6] Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
[7] At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
Now, Jesus will have something to say about this to his disciples. They should know scriptures. Back to Mark 4 and verse 40 reads.
Mark 4:40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
[41] And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Jesus was in the boat with them and they were afraid. I could understand if you didn’t have Jesus with you, but know that a little faith, even the faith of a mustard seed could move a nation. Or as the seed that blasted in the sun, Mark 4:6 the ones that had no backbones. Yes, many should fear, but not us, we have Jesus with us and he will never leave us or forsake us. Great study today, let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible