Mark 4
Mar.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.
So, let’s picture this, he went out a little from the shore in a boat, in what was like an amphitheater. So that all could hear him.
Mar.4:2] And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
In parables, because it is not for everyone to have ears to hear, or eyes to see. This parable of the sower is he that plants the seed (word of God) among Gods children. A good work that all should be doing for the Lord.
Mar.4:3] Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
[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.
Some fall on deaf ears, these will not hear the word of the Lord.
Mar.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 fell on some who when they heard the word of the Lord, they loved him but when pressure from those in the world came upon them, they fainted by the way. They had no backbone.
Mar.4:7] And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
These fell on bad spirits and they had no use for Gods’ word.
Mar.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.
[9] And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And we need to remember that we plant the seed but only God can make it grow. These seeds found righteous people that could pass the word of the Lord. Not all can produce 100, but what we are given, that we plant.
Mar.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:
Not all are to understand, but those he has chosen. This is you and me, for we study the word of God, and to those that love him, he will bless.
Mar.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.
[13] And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Jesus just said that if you don’t know this parable then how will you know any parable. This makes this very important to understand. Now, Jesus will explain the parable to the twelve and let no man tell you otherwise.
Mar.4:14] The sower soweth the word.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
Now Jesus will bring forth another parable, this time for his twelve.
Mar.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?
The light in us is Jesus Christ. We don’t hide his truths from the world, but shine with boldness.
Mar.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.
When Jesus asks if you can hear know this, he just gave something that you need to understand if you’re an elect.
Mar.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.
You will be given more responsibility the more you know.
Mar.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.
[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.
We plant and God only can make it grow.
Mar.4:28] For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
[29] But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Jesus is showing us the kingdom of God here. The day shall come that his angels have the sickle and will reap, where we have sown. Remember that man that had but one coin and buried it, let us not be him.
Mar.4:30] And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
[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:
[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.
Again, with parables he teaches those that have eyes to see and ears to hear. This mustard seed grows tall, but notice the birds that lodge in its branches. These are the Kenites, they are always hanging around, mostly in our churches. But while we are talking about that, let me remind you about false teaching. Judgement begins at the pulpit for a reason. For that we go to 1Pet.4:17 and it 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?
And in Galatians 6:6-8 we read.
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.
Back to Mark, and it reads.
Mar.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.
So only to his twelve did he explain the parables to.
Mar.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.
[37] And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
The ship was taking on water. And we will see that we can compare this to our lives today. That when a little trouble comes our way, don’t panic. But trust in the Lord always.
Mar.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?
[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.
[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?
To busy being afraid, and not realizing the Son of God was in the ship with them. Don’t you fall into this trap of the world. Know that Christ will never leave you or forsake you. Or that seed that blasted in the sun and had no faith, don’t let that be you. 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