Mark 4

1 et iterum coepit docere ad mare et congregata est ad eum turba multa ita ut in navem ascendens sederet in mari et omnis turba circa mare super terram erat

2 et docebat eos in parabolis multa et dicebat illis in doctrina sua

3 audite ecce exiit seminans ad seminandum

4 et dum seminat aliud cecidit circa viam et venerunt volucres et comederunt illud

5 aliud vero cecidit super petrosa ubi non habuit terram multam et statim exortum est quoniam non habebat altitudinem terrae

6 et quando exortus est sol exaestuavit et eo quod non haberet radicem exaruit

7 et aliud cecidit in spinas et ascenderunt spinae et offocaverunt illud et fructum non dedit

8 et aliud cecidit in terram bonam et dabat fructum ascendentem et crescentem et adferebat unum triginta et unum sexaginta et unum centum

9 et dicebat qui habet aures audiendi audiat

10 et cum esset singularis interrogaverunt eum hii qui cum eo erant cum duodecim parabolas

11 et dicebat eis vobis datum est mysterium regni Dei illis autem qui foris sunt in parabolis omnia fiunt

12 ut videntes videant et non videant et audientes audiant et non intellegant nequando convertantur et dimittantur eis peccata

13 et ait illis nescitis parabolam hanc et quomodo omnes parabolas cognoscetis

14 qui seminat verbum seminat

15 hii autem sunt qui circa viam ubi seminatur verbum et cum audierint confestim venit Satanas et aufert verbum quod seminatum est in corda eorum

16 et hii sunt similiter qui super petrosa seminantur qui cum audierint verbum statim cum gaudio accipiunt illud

17 et non habent radicem in se sed temporales sunt deinde orta tribulatione et persecutione propter verbum confestim scandalizantur

18 et alii sunt qui in spinis seminantur hii sunt qui verbum audiunt

19 et aerumnae saeculi et deceptio divitiarum et circa reliqua concupiscentiae introeuntes suffocant verbum et sine fructu efficitur

20 et hii sunt qui super terram bonam seminati sunt qui audiunt verbum et suscipiunt et fructificant unum triginta et unum sexaginta et unum centum

21 et dicebat illis numquid venit lucerna ut sub modio ponatur aut sub lecto nonne ut super candelabrum ponatur

22 non enim est aliquid absconditum quod non manifestetur nec factum est occultum sed ut in palam veniat

23 si quis habet aures audiendi audiat

24 et dicebat illis videte quid audiatis in qua mensura mensi fueritis remetietur vobis et adicietur vobis

25 qui enim habet dabitur illi et qui non habet etiam quod habet auferetur ab illo

26 et dicebat sic est regnum Dei quemadmodum si homo iaciat sementem in terram

27 et dormiat et exsurgat nocte ac die et semen germinet et increscat dum nescit ille

28 ultro enim terra fructificat primum herbam deinde spicam deinde plenum frumentum in spica

29 et cum se produxerit fructus statim mittit falcem quoniam adest messis

30 et dicebat cui adsimilabimus regnum Dei aut cui parabolae conparabimus illud

31 sicut granum sinapis quod cum seminatum fuerit in terra minus est omnibus seminibus quae sunt in terra

32 et cum seminatum fuerit ascendit et fit maius omnibus holeribus et facit ramos magnos ita ut possint sub umbra eius aves caeli habitare

33 et talibus multis parabolis loquebatur eis verbum prout poterant audire

34 sine parabola autem non loquebatur eis seorsum autem discipulis suis disserebat omnia

35 et ait illis illa die cum sero esset factum transeamus contra

36 et dimittentes turbam adsumunt eum ita ut erat in navi et aliae naves erant cum illo

37 et facta est procella magna venti et fluctus mittebat in navem ita ut impleretur navis

38 et erat ipse in puppi supra cervical dormiens et excitant eum et dicunt ei magister non ad te pertinet quia perimus

39 et exsurgens comminatus est vento et dixit mari tace obmutesce et cessavit ventus et facta est tranquillitas magna

40 et ait illis quid timidi estis necdum habetis fidem et timuerunt magno timore et dicebant ad alterutrum quis putas est iste quia et ventus et mare oboediunt ei

Mark 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

The parable of the sower. (1-20) Other parables. (21-34) Christ stills the tempest. (35-41)

Verses 1-20 This parable contained instruction so important, that all capable of hearing were bound to attend to it. There are many things we are concerned to know; and if we understand not the plain truths of the gospel, how shall we learn those more difficult! It will help us to value the privileges we enjoy as disciples of Christ, if we seriously consider the deplorable state of all who have not such privileges. In the great field of the church, the word of God is dispensed to all. Of the many that hear the word of the gospel, but few receive it, so as to bring forth fruit. Many are much affected with the word for the present, who yet receive no abiding benefit. The word does not leave abiding impressions upon the minds of men, because their hearts are not duly disposed to receive it. The devil is very busy about careless hearers, as the fowls of the air go about the seed that lies above ground. Many continue in a barren, false profession, and go down to hell. Impressions that are not deep, will not last. Many do not mind heart-work, without which religion is nothing. Others are hindered from profiting by the word of God, by abundance of the world. And those who have but little of the world, may yet be ruined by indulging the body. God expects and requires fruit from those who enjoy the gospel, a temper of mind and Christian graces daily exercised, Christian duties duly performed. Let us look to the Lord, that by his new-creating grace our hearts may become good ground, and that the good seed of the word may produce in our lives those good words and works which are through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God the Father.

Verses 21-34 These declarations were intended to call the attention of the disciples to the word of Christ. By his thus instructing them, they were made able to instruct others; as candles are lighted, not to be covered, but to be placed on a candlestick, that they may give light to a room. This parable of the good seed, shows the manner in which the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. Let but the word of Christ have the place it ought to have in a soul, and it will show itself in a good conversation. It grows gradually: first the blade; then the ear; after that the full corn in the ear. When it is sprung up, it will go forward. The work of grace in the soul is, at first, but the day of small things; yet it has mighty products even now, while it is in its growth; but what will there be when it is perfected in heaven!

Verses 35-41 Christ was asleep in the storm, to try the faith of his disciples, and to stir them up to pray. Their faith appeared weak, and their prayers strong. When our wicked hearts are like the troubled sea which cannot rest, when our passions are unruly, let us think we hear the law of Christ, saying, Be silent, be dumb. When without are fightings, and within are fears, and the spirits are in a tumult, if he say, "Peace, be still," there is a great calm at once. Why are ye so fearful? Though there may be cause for some fear, yet not for such fear as this. Those may suspect their faith, who can have such a thought as that Jesus careth not though his people perish. How imperfect are the best of saints! Faith and fear take their turns while we are in this world; but ere long, fear will be overcome, and faith will be lost in sight.