Mark 4:1-9
See the parable of the sower explained in the notes at Matthew 13:1. See the parable of the sower explained in the notes at Matthew 13:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the parable of the sower explained in the notes at Matthew 13:1. See the parable of the sower explained in the notes at Matthew 13:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 13:10. On Mark 4:12, see the notes at John 12:39. WHEN HE WAS ALONE - That is, separate from the multitude. When he withdrew from the multitude a few followed him for the purpose of more instruction. Mark 4:13 KNOW YE NOT THIS PARABLE? - This which is so plain and obvious... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 13:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS A CANDLE BROUGHT ... - A candle is not lit up to be put immediately under a measure or a bed, where it can give no light. Its design is to give light. So my preaching by parables is not designed to obscure the truth, but to throw light on it. You should understand those parables, and, understandi... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NOTHING HID ... - See the notes at Matthew 10:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE HEED WHAT YE HEAR - Or, consider well what you hear. Make a good improvement of it. WITH WHAT MEASURE YE METE ... - You shall be treated according to the use you make of your opportunities of learning. If you consider it well, and make a good improvement of what you hear, you shall be well rew... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE THAT HATH ... - See the notes at Matthew 13:12. The meaning here seems to be, he that diligently attends to my words shall increase more and more in the knowledge of the truth; but he that neglects them and is inattentive shall become more ignorant; the few things which he had learned he will... [ Continue Reading ]
SO IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD - The gospel, or religion in the soul, may be compared to this. See the notes at Matthew 3:2. This parable is recorded only by Mark.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHOULD SLEEP, AND RISE NIGHT AND DAY - Should sleep in the night and rise by day, for so the expression is to be understood. That is, should live in his usual way, without exerting any influence over the growing grain. By this we are not to infer that men are to use no diligence in the obtaining... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE EARTH BRINGETH FORTH FRUIT OF HERSELF - That is, it is done without the power of man. It is done while man is engaged in other things. The scope of this passage does not require us to suppose that our Saviour meant to say that the earth had any productive power of itself, but only that it pr... [ Continue Reading ]
IMMEDIATELY HE PUTTETH IN THE SICKLE - This is the way with the farmer. As soon as the grain is ripe it is cut down. So it is often with the Christian. As soon as he is prepared for heaven he is taken there. But we are not to press this part of the parable, as if it meant that all are removed as soo... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREUNTO SHALL WE LIKEN ... - This shows the great solicitude which Jesus had to adapt his instructions to the capacity of his disciples. He sought out the most plain and striking illustrations - an example which should be followed by all the ministers of the gospel. At the same time that the instr... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 13:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPAKE HE THE WORD - The word of God. The doctrines of his gospel. AS THEY WERE ABLE TO HEAR IT - As they could comprehend it. They were like children; and he was obliged to lead them along cautiously and by degrees to a full understanding of the plan of salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT A PARABLE SPAKE HE NOT UNTO THEM - That is, the things pertaining to his kingdom. On other subjects he spake without parables. On these, such was their prejudice, so many notions had they contrary to the nature of his kingdom, and so liable would plain instructions have been to give offence,... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 8:18. Mark 4:36 EVEN AS HE WAS IN THE SHIP - They took him without making any preparation for the voyage; without providing any food or raiment. He was sitting in a ship, or boat, instructing the people. In the same boat, probably ill fitted to encounter a storm on the lak... [ Continue Reading ]