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Mark Chapter
Four
I. Content of the Chapter
The Parable of the
Kingdom of God and the Living Example
A.
The parable of
sowing the seed (v.1-9);
B.
The reason why the
Lord used the parable and the importance of understanding this parable
(v.10-13);
C.
The explanation for
the parable of sowing the seed (v.14-20);
D.
The parable of the
lamp and the measure (v.21-25);
E.
The parable of the
seed which grows and yields the full grain (v.26-29);
F.
The parable of the mustard
seed (v.30-32);
G.
Without a parable Jesus
did not speak to the people (v.33-34);
H.
The living example
of calming the wind and the sea (v.35-41);
II. Verse by Verse commentary
Mark. 4:1 “And again He began to teach
by the sea.
And a great multitude was gathered to Him
so that He got into a boat and sat
in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. ”
YLT: “And 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
”
Meaning of Words: “teach”: instruct; “gather”: collect assemble;
Literal Meaning: “sit”
it was a habitual
gesture of the Jewish rabbis when they were teaching others (see Matt.13:3).
Spiritual Meaning: “sea” was vast and
symbolized the Gentile world (Dan. 7:3
17). “A great multitude”
they were the
people of
This verse indicated that the Lord had
came out of
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Though
the Lord is a Jew
He is the Savior of all men (1Tim. 4:10).
2)
There
are hundreds of millions men who haven’t been saved in the world (sea) and are
living an aimless and self-indulgent life. We should have the burden to help
them.
3)
The
Lord is in the “boat” ---- the assembly. If we want to seek Him
we have to
come to the assembly.
4)
We
should not learn from the “great multitudes” who followed or pressed on Him
only
but learn from the women who stretched out her hand to touch Him (Mark.
5:24-34)
thus drawing grace from the Lord through the hand of faith.
5)
The
Lord’s works had both the aspect of “doing” as well as the aspect of “speaking”.
What He had done was just to meet the very demand of men and solve their
problems. All that He had spoken were messages of life (the majority of this
chapter were the matters concerning the seed of life).
6)
The
Lord had no formality or ostentation in His work at that time
as what He
Himself said that “as you go
preach” (see Matt. 10:7) ---- “and again He began
to teach by the sea”. Moreover
He flexibly used local materials in His
preaching instead of using the stiff regulations or letters ---- took the
matters in the daily life as the materials
such as sowing seeds
lightening
lamps and etc.
Mark. 4:2 “Then He taught them many things by parables
and
said to them in His teaching:”
YLT: “and he taught
them many things in similes
and he said to them in his teaching:”
Meaning of Words: “parables”: illustrations and samples;
Literal Meaning: “He taught them many
things by parables”
“parable” is a way to express profound truth with things
everyone is familiar with. If the parables are not opened
men will still
linger in their vague ideas. It is not helpful to those who do not truly seek
the Lord if they have vague idea concerning the mysteries of the kingdom of
heaven.
Mark. 4:3 “"Listen! Behold
a sower
went out to sow.”
YLT: “`Hearken
lo
the sower went forth to sow;”
Literal Meaning: “Listen! Behold”
the Lord
called the hearers to pay attention to the teachings in the parables.
Spiritual Meaning: “a sower went out to sow”
“a sower” referred to the Lord Himself. “Seed” was God’s words
especially the
words of the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
We
are born again
not of corruptible seed
but of incorruptible
by living and
abiding word of God (1Pet. 1:23).
2)
There
is life in the Lord’s word and the life will grow. However the word of the Lord
profits us only if it is mixed with faith in those who heard (See Heb. 4:2).
Mark. 4:4 “And
it happened
as he sowed
that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of
the air came and devoured it.”
YLT: “and it came to
pass
in the sowing
some fell by the way
and the fowls of the heaven did come
and devour it;”
Spiritual Meaning: “way” is the place where
men communicate with each other. “Wayside” symbolizes the heart that
communicates with and receives worldly things randomly. “The birds” symbolize
the wicked one (See v.15)
i.e. Satan.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Men’s
“hearts” are the battlefield of God and Satan. The reason why men do not
receive the Lord is that the devil has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving
(2Cor. 4:4).
2) The hearts of “wayside” have received various kinds
of concepts. Those preconceived ideas weaken the effect of God’s
words in their hearts.
3)
If
our hearts are busy communicating with thousands of persons and things all the
day
there will be no room for the word of God in our hearts. Even if we hear
the word of God
it is still in vain.
4)
The
hearts of “wayside” are also hearts that are hardened. Since there is no
stamping ground for the “word”
the word will be taken.
Mark. 4:5 “Some fell on stony
ground
where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because
it had no depth of earth.”
YLT: “and other fell
upon the rocky ground
where it had not much earth
and immediately it sprang
forth
because of not having depth of earth
”
Literal Meaning: “stony places” are not
lands full of small stones but lands on the rocky ground with a layer of unfertile
soil.
Spiritual Meaning: “stony places” are the
lands that have not been ploughed
symbolizing the heart of men who live by natural
love and whose depth of heart has not been dealt with. Therefore their heart is
still as hard as stony hearts (see Ezek. 36:26).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should take root
downward and bear fruit upward (Is. 37:31). If we want the word of God to take
effect in us
we have to let the word of the Lord be rooted and founded in our
hearts.
2) We must let the Lord remove
the hardness of our hearts (“stony places”) and then the word of the Lord will
be rooted and developed in our hearts.
3) If one does not deal with
any hidden sin or lust of the flesh
it will make his heart hardened as “stones”
so that there will be no room for the word of God to grow in his heart.
4) “They immediately sprang up
because they had no depth of earth.” It is easy to go out for those who do not
let the word of God root deeply in them. Many people love to show off for they
haven’t deeply touched the Lord.
5) If Satan can not completely
rob the word of life from men (see v.3) to make them totally forget the word
it will make men linger in the “superficial” condition and do not seek deeper
after men have received the word.
Mark. 4:6 “But when the sun was
up it was scorched
and because it had no root it withered away.”
YLT: “and the sun
having risen
it was scorched
and because of not having root it did wither;”
Meaning of Words: “scorched”: burned;
Literal Meaning: “no root”
or “the root is
not complete” so that it is unable to absorb sufficient water.
Spiritual Meaning: “the sun” symbolizes
tribulations and persecutions (see v.17).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Only
those who do not fear to pay price for the word of God are able to partake in
the kingdom of heaven.
2)
Every
one who is afraid to take cross has not rooted in depth (“no root”). Every one
who stands in the Lord has gone through hardships (“was scorched by the sun”).
3)
“Root”
is unseen. “Have no root” means lacking the unseen or hidden part. The difficulty
of many believers is that ---- though they have the obvious life
they lack the
hidden life.
4)
To
those who have root
the scorch of the sun (difficult circumstances) will help
them to grow. To those who have no root
when the sun is up they are scorched and
they will wither away.
5)
Many
people receive the Lord’s word with their emotion. The moment they hear the
word of the Lord
they receive it with joy (see v.16) yet without any cautious
thinking. Such man is not reliable.
6)
Christians
who are swayed by their emotion are easy to be satisfied and also to get
hungry. They are easy to be joyful and also to be sad. They are easy to be
fervent and also to be indifferent.
7)
We
Christians’ life should not be “superficial”. We should not have only the open
life before men
but also have the hidden life before God.
8)
The
cross does not only separate sinners ---- whoever is saved
or whoever will
perish. Besides
it also separates believers ---- whoever is overcomer
or
whoever will lose.
Mark. 4:7 “And some seed fell
among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it
and it yielded no crop.”
YLT: “and other fell
toward the thorns
and the thorns did come up
and choke it
and fruit it gave
not;”
Meaning of Words: “choke”: crowd
drown
throng;
Literal Meaning: “the thorns grew up and
choked it”
it means that the necessary space for plants to grow is deprived by
the thrones so that the plants cannot receive their necessary sunlight and nutriment.
Spiritual Meaning: “thorns”
they were
yielded after God cursed the earth because of man’s falling (Gen. 3:17-18)
which symbolized things out of natural life
including the cares of this world
the deceitfulness of riches and lust of other things (see v.19).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
If
the devil can not tumble a believer with persecution
it will choke him by
deceitfulness and delusions
making him maintain his life only without bearing
any fruit.
2)
We
can not love the world and God’s word together in our heart. The double-minded
believers are unable to be perfected unto maturity.
3)
The
heart of “thorns” has never been dealt with. On one hand it is not favorable
for the growth of God’s words. On the other
it may easily hurt others.
4)
Thorns
are able to grow without men’s sowing. Men need not to be taught to covet
or
be anxious
or commit sins ---- all these are inborn.
5)
What
really matters is whether men have enough room for the working of God’s word in
their hearts. Some are free outwardly but are choked in their hearts. Some are
restrained outwardly but are broad inwardly.
6)
Satan
often mixes something that is neither life nor of Christ into the life of
Christ in order to prevent Christ’s life in us from growing freely or from
gaining necessary status.
Mark. 4:8 “But other seed fell
on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up
increased and produced: some
thirtyfold
some sixty
and some a hundred." ”
YLT: “and 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.'”
Meaning of Words: “increase”: grow
enlarge; “produce”:
bear
bring (forth)
rushing;
Literal Meaning: “but others fell on good
ground and yielded a crop”
“good ground”
it means that such ground has few
(or even not) the previous three states (v.4-7). Good ground enables God’s word
to root deeply in men’s hearts and there is enough room for God’s word to
increase and bear fruit.
“Some a hundredfold
some sixty
some
thirty”
even though men have right heart
there are still differences in their
capacity (see 1Cor.15:41). However
one men’s part
we have responsibilities
that we should take. The more “self” has been dealt with
the more natural part
will be decreased and the more folds of fruit will we bear.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Three
kinds of ground among the previous four ones are not good and only the last one
is good ground that is able to bear full fruit by the Lord. The way to attain
fullness is straitened ---- the gate is always narrow and they are few who find
it (Matt. 7:13-14).
2)
What
is primary in the kingdom of heaven is man’s heart. It is impossible to reach
fullness if one’s heart is wrong. Therefore we should keep our hearts more than
anything that is guarded (Prov. 4:23).
3)
One’s
heart belongs to the man himself. To be what kind of man is totally depended on
what kind of man he desires to be
even God cannot force him.
4)
The
Lord values not only whether we have life but also whether we have borne fruit
and the condition of our bearing fruit.
5)
God
purges and deals with us by the cross ---- this is the condition for us to
bring forth more fruit (John. 15:2).
Mark. 4:9 “And He
said to them
"He who has ears to hear
let him hear!" ”
YLT: “And he said to
them
`He who is having ears to hear -- let him hear.'”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
Lord’s word is open to all
however the carnal Christians can not understand
the Lord’s word and only the spiritual Christians can hear (see 1Cor. 2:13-14).
2)
The
kingdom of heaven originates from the word of God and the beginning of all the
works of God also starts from His word (Gen. 1:3
Heb. 1:1-3). Since God has
treated us with grace to give us the spiritual ears
we should listen carefully
(Matt. 11:15
Rev. 2:7 and etc).
Mark. 4:10 “But when He was
alone
those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.”
YLT: “And when he was
alone
those about him
with the twelve
did ask him of the simile
”
Meaning of Words: “around”: near circumstance about;
Literal Meaning: “disciples” refer to the
group of men who are trained by the Lord to enter into the kingdom of heaven
and to be His people.
“Asked
Him about the parable”
there are two functions of “the parable”:
1.
To
those who do not seek the Lord with their hearts
it is a punishment for them
---- seeing they may see and not perceive
and hearing they may hear and not
understand (see v.13-14).
2.
To
those who seek the Lord with their hearts
it is encouragement for them to
remember easily
listen carefully and ask at all moments (see v.36
51).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
There
are many hearers of the word (v.1)
but few ones that really understand the
word. It is vain that hearing one may hear and but not perceive.
2)
If
one desires to understand the word
one shall privately come to the Lord and
have close fellowship with the Lord and obtain explanation from Him when “He is
alone”.
3)
If
believers want to perceive the mystery of the kingdom of heaven
they shall not
only “hear” the Lord’s word “by the sea (v.1)”
but also go into the house with
the Lord (see Matt. 13:36) and “ask” Him.
4)
In
order to enjoy the Lord’s word
believers shall not only “hear” the Lord’s
word
but also “ask” the Lord about His word ---- seek the word and learn the
word.
Mark. 4:11 “And He said to them
"To you it has been given to
know the mystery of the
YLT: “and 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;”
Meaning of Words: “mystery”: secret hidden thing; “outside”: forth outward;
Literal Meaning: “the
The mystery of God only reveals to those
who desire to live in. Since others have neither part nor lot in the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
All
spiritual and heavenly things are mysteries
e.g. the Lord’s presence
guidance
and words. Only believers know them
and all the unbelievers do not
know them.
2)
Only
those who really desire to live in the kingdom of heaven can understand the
mystery of the kingdom of heaven
for it is unprofitable for those who do not
really desire to live in the kingdom of heaven to know the mystery of the
kingdom of heaven.
3)
Only
those who have life experience in the Lord are able to understand the Lord’s
word
for the Lord’s word is about the things of the
Mark. 4:12 “so that "Seeing they may see and not perceive
And hearing they may
hear and not understand; Lest they should turn
And their sins be forgiven
them."' ”
YLT: “that 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.'”
Meaning of Words: “perceive”: seem know
understand; “understand”: consider
be wise; “lest”: if ever; “turn”: come again
convert;
Literal Meaning: “so that "Seeing they
may see and not perceive
and hearing they may hear and not understand”
for
natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God
and he cannot
know (1Cor.2:14).
Such unbelievers’ eyes are blind
ears
are deaf
and hearts are dull towards spiritual things ---- this is because their
thoughts have been blinded by the god of this world (2Cor. 4:4).
“Lest they should turn
And their sins
be forgiven them."'” ---- God does not fear men repent and turn to Him
but men turn from one good thing to another better and more spiritual thing and
yet lay God aside.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Without
vision
one can neither know spiritual things nor hear the Lord’s voice through
their natural comprehension only.
2)
Spiritual
things seem to be nothing to those who do not seek the Lord with their hearts.
It is of no effect even if they have heard.
3)
Men’s
merits
advantages
self-righteousness and self-complacency may sometimes
prevent men from receiving the grace of God.
Mark. 4:13 “And He
said to them
"Do you not understand this parable? How then will you
understand all the parables? ”
YLT: “And he saith to
them
`Have ye not known this simile? and how shall ye know all the similes?”
Meaning of Words: “understand (the first one)”: see know; “understand (the second one)”: perceive;
Literal Meaning: the real content of the
“Do you not understand this parable? How
then will you understand all the parables?” ---- It means that if men do not
understand this parable of sowing seeds
he will never know any other parable.
Note that the first “understand” refers
to men’s inward subjective understanding
and the second “understand” is the
outward objective knowledge.
Mark. 4:14 “The sower sows the
word.”
YLT: “He who is
sowing doth sow the word;”
Meaning of Words: “word”: utterance speech;
Mark. 4:15 “And these are the
ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear
Satan comes
immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. ”
YLT: “and 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.”
Meaning of Words: “take away”: remove carry;
Literal Meaning: if our hearts are willing
to receive too many worldly persons and things (see the notes in verse 4)
we
cannot keep God’s word in our hearts to ponder (Luke.2:19) so that we can not
understand the word. And then it is easy for the devil to snatch away the word
that we have heard.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“The
heart of the wayside” is the heart of evil communications (1Cor. 15:33). It
desires everything and loves everything. Such heart is so mixed and disordered that
God’s word is unable to be kept in them.
2)
“The
heart of the wayside” does not desire to receive God’s word at all. Though such
man has heard
he has not taken it precious. Once the wicked one slightly
provokes
he will disregard the Lord’s word.
Mark. 4:16 “These
likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who
when they hear the word
immediately receive it with gladness;”
YLT: “`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
”
Meaning of Words: “receive”: take attain;
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Natural
man is rather superficial and is thrall to passions. As long as something takes
his fancy
he will immediately “receive it with joy”. His reaction towards the
Lord’s word is quick but cannot endure long.
2)
Those
who act impetuously only love to hear good word but do not like to pay any
price for the word. They are hearers of the word
but not doers.
3)
“The
hearts of stony places” are easily to be touched by the Lord’s word in
Spiritual Revival Gatherings. However they are both easily to be fervent and to
be apathetic.
Mark. 4:17 “and they have no
root in themselves
and so endure only for a time. Afterward
when tribulation
or persecution arises for the word's sake
immediately they stumble. ”
YLT: “and have not
root in themselves
but are temporary; afterward tribulation or persecution
having come because of the word
immediately they are stumbled.”
Meaning of Words: “for a time”: temporary; “tribulation”:
trouble
sufferings; “stumble”: trip up
offend;
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Through
many tribulations
we must enter into the
2)
To
those who root deeply in the Lord
tribulations will help them to grow up and
become spiritually mature. However those who are superficial without root will collapse
at the first blow.
3)
“The
hearts of stony places” want to gain heavenly blessings but fear worldly
hardships. Even though they want to gain heavenly things
they are afraid of
losing earthly things and consequently they hang in the air like Judah (Matt.
27:5).
4)
“The
heart of stony places” may be called “half heart” ---- on one hand
such men
receive with gladness (see v.16)
and on the other
they are unwilling to pay
any price for tribulations ---- they only want to “gain” instead of “giving”. That’s
why they must have neither part nor lot in the
5)
“When
tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake”
it indicates that
tribulations will be raised after one has received the word of God. It is hard
to avoid being offended for any one who believes the faith for the sake of
peace and material benefits.
6)
“Immediately
receive it with gladness” (v.16)
“immediately they stumble”
“immediate”
reaction may not be good ---- fast believing
fast stumbling. One shall
carefully study and search when hearing God’s word (see Acts17:11; 1The.5:20-21).
Mark. 4:18 “Now these are the
ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word
”
YLT: “`And these are
they who toward the thorns are sown: these are they who are hearing the word
”
Mark. 4:19 “and the cares of
this world
the deceitfulness of riches
and the desires for other things
entering in choke the word
and it becomes unfruitful. ”
YLT: “and 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.”;
Meaning of Words: “cares”: solicitude
concerns; “deceitfulness”: delusion; “desires”: lusts
longing;
Literal Meaning: concerning those whose
hearts are full of various cares
deceitfulness and lusts
though God’s word
grows in their hearts
their fleshly lusts are always against the Spirit (Gal.
5:17
1Pet. 2:11) and there is no enough room and position (“choke”) for the
word
so they become “unfruitful”. “Unfruitful” means that the effect of God’s
word cannot be fully manifested (see Heb. 4:12)
i.e. it cannot bear fruit of
life (see Matt. 7:16-20).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
When
the lust comes
there will bring about the consequences as follows: (a) it
produces various cares and deceitfulness; (b) it obstructs the word of God from
yielding effects in men (choke); (c) it makes life immature (unfruitful).
2)
What
the Lord cares is not whether you have received the life of God
but whether
the life you have received from God has borne fruit. Though there are blades in
the cornfield
if it does not bear fruit
the owner of the cornfield will gain
nothing.
3)
What
most hinders the bearing fruit of God’s life is cares and deceitfulness in men’s
hearts
for they make us not abide in the Lord and be out of line with the Lord’s
words. And of course
we are unable to bear fruit (see John. 15:4-8).
4)
The
Lord does not say committing sins makes us bear no fruit
but cares make us
bear no fruit. Though money is not sin
it can encumber Christians and make us
not grow well.
5)
A
man cannot spin and reel at the same time. If a man wants the Lord’s word bear
fruit
he shall take his full heart towards the word ---- we believers should love
God and God’s word with all our heart
and with all our soul
and with all our
understanding (Matt.22:37).
Mark. 4:20 “But these are the
ones sown on good ground
those who hear the word
accept it
and bear fruit:
some thirtyfold
some sixty
and some a hundred." ”
YLT: “`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.'”
Literal Meaning: “bears fruit”
it means
that one does the word that he has heard and understood (Matt.7:24;
James.1:22-25)
i.e. let the word of God be manifested in us.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
seeds are the same but the fruit is different. The effect of the Lord’s word
differs from a hundredfold
sixty and thirty is the same
for the degree that
men receive the Lord’s words is different. The more one’s heart is open to God
the more easily the Lord’s word will take effect.
2)
A
man can completely decide what kind of land he will be and nobody can force
him. Whether one bears fruit and how much one bears fruit totally depend on
him. One has only himself to blame
and can never blame that God has not given
His grace.
3)
The
spiritual life can only bear fruit through spiritual revelation and vision. In
other words
we have to grow up fully first and have our senses exercised for
distinguishing both good and evil (Heb. 5:14) and then bear fruit of
righteousness (Pill. 1:10-11).
Mark. 4:21 “Also He said to
them
"Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or
under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? ”
YLT: “And 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?”
Literal Meaning: “Is a lamp brought to be
put under a basket or under a bed?”
here
it means the
lamplight should not be hidden.
“Be set on a lampstand”
it indicates
that the lamp should be set on a clear position to illuminate the surrounding
places.
Spiritual Meaning: “be put under a basket”
“basket”
is a kind of measure made by wood and used to measure grain
so it symbolizes
the cares of life. “Bed” symbolizes the coziness of life. That the lamp is put
under a basket shows that believers are obsessed by the cares of life (being
busy making a living). “Under a bed”
it means being occupied by the enjoyment
of life (seek the coziness of life) so that the light is overshadowed.
“Set
on a lampstand”
“lampstand”
the proper utensil to put lamp
symbolizes the
life of bearing witness of the Lord.
The
writer of the Gospel of Mark inserted the paragraph from verse 21 to verse 25
between the two parables of sowing the seeds
indicating that the Lord’s word
is light ---- once we have received it
we shall not hide it.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
spiritual light in us may often be eclipsed by both the enjoyment of life ---- “basket”
and the fleshly coziness ---- “bed”. Therefore
we shall usually live in the
church ---- “on a lampstand”
we will have light.
2)
The
enlightenment that we have received from the Lord’s word may be covered under
the basket or bed so that we can not shine because of our life cares and
enjoyment.
3)
Our
life attitude ---- whether we live for the Lord or ourselves (see Rom.14:7-8)
---- has decisive influence on whether the light will be manifested or hidden.
4)
If
we want to shine for the Lord in order to shine men around us
we have to
overcome the cares of life (Matt. 6:24-34).
5)
The
lamp shines
for the oil is lighted up. “Oil” refers to the indwelling Holy
Spirit. If we want to shine
we have to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph.
5:18).
6)
Everything
that can prevent the Lord shining from us is the “basket and bed”. Everything
besides the Lord
even the best thing
may turn to be the “basket and bed” that
hide the light.
7)
The
light of Christians not only changes the outside way of men
but also affects
their inner heart.
8)
If
we want to see whether a man is spiritual or not
we have not to see how he
acts in the gathering
but see how he acts in his family life.
Mark. 4:22 “For
there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed
nor has anything been kept
secret but that it should come to light.”
YLT: “for there is
not anything hid that may not be manifested
nor was anything kept hid but that
it may come to light.”
Meaning of Words: “keep secret”: hide
cover;
“reveal”: appear
manifest; “come to light”: appear
bring to light (which
enjoys the same etymon with the word “reveal”);
Literal Meaning: there are several kinds of
explanations for this verse: (1) the mystery of the
Mark. 4:23 “If anyone has ears
to hear
let him hear." ”
YLT: “If any hath
ears to hear -- let him hear.'”
Literal Meaning: “ear” is an important
organ of receiving the word of God’s kingdom. We should first “hear” the word of
God and then it will produce its effect in our “heart”.
Mark. 4:24 “Then He said to
them
"Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use
it will be
measured to you; and to you who hear
more will be given. ”
YLT: “And 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;”
Meaning of Words: “take heed”: look at
be
care of; “measure”: allot by rule
estimate;
Literal Meaning: “With the same measure you
use
it will be measured to you”
“measure” is a kind of container used to
measure food. Here
it is applied to refer to the attitude
motivation and
manner toward men as well as the degree of these conditions.
Spiritual Meaning: “With the same measure you
use
it will be measured to you”
it has two meanings: (a) how we teach the
mystery of the kingdom of God that we have received to others
God will also
reveal more mystery of the kingdom of God to us. (b) How we measure the word of
God (namely
our attitude toward the God’s word)
God will likewise give us with
the same measure (it indicates that the fullness of the revelation given by God
will be more than the willingness of our heart and the capacity to receive.)
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“Selfishness”
is a common fault of man in the world. However
we believers are willing to
share what we have received without any “hiding part”.
2)
One
shall not hide any enlightenment from the word of God for his own spiritual
benefits
but shall supply others with what he have received without any
reservation or condition.
3)
The
less the worldly things one can give
the more the spiritual things one will
give.
4)
The
more one gives
the more he will receive. The less one gives
the less he will
receive. It is an unchangeable principle. With a great measure with which you
mete
it shall be measured to you greatly (Luke. 6:38).
5)
The
word of God is given to everyone according to his capacity. Moreover
God will
give more to those who have large capacity.
6)
How
much revelation shall God give us is totally decided by our receiving measure.
God will give us just the measure that we can exactly receive.
Mark. 4:25 “For whoever has
to
him more will be given; but whoever does not have
even what he has will be
taken away from him." ”
YLT: “for whoever may
have
there shall be given to him
and whoever hath not
also that which he
hath shall be taken from him.'”
Spiritual Meaning: all those who have a right
heart and have an understanding of the truth will receive more continually.
However
all those whose mind has not opened have only a vague idea of the
truth
so even what they think they have understood will also be empty.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
This
verse shows the principle of the pursuit of spiritual things. The more you
truly desire
the more you will be given. Otherwise
even what you have before
shall be taken from you (see Matt. 25:29).
2)
The
more understanding of truth one has
the more will he seek. And the more one
seeks the truth
the more will he understand and receive the truth. In
addition
if one has no reaction to the truth he has received and does not
cherish it
he will receive nothing from the truth he has received.
3)
The
more one uses his spiritual gifts
the more gifts he will be given. However
if
he is slothful and seldom uses the gifts
what he has before will also be
taken.
Mark. 4:26 “And He said
"The
YLT: “And he said
`Thus is the reign of God: as if a man may cast the seed on the earth
”
Meaning of Words: “ground”: soil land;
Spiritual Meaning: “man” refers to the Lord
Jesus. “Seed” refers to God’s word
especially the word of the
Mark. 4:27 “and should sleep by
night and rise by day
and the seed should sprout and grow
he himself does not
know how.”
YLT: “and may sleep
and may rise night and day
and the seed spring up and grow
he hath not known
how;”
Spiritual Meaning: “he
himself does not know how”
it does not mean the Lord Jesus does not know
how His word produce the effect in men’s heart
but that the principle of the
growth of life is created by God and man can not fully understand it.
The parable of sowing seed from verse 3
to verse 8 shows that men’s heart plays such an important role in the growth of
the seed. And the parable of sowing seed from verse 26 to verse 29 indicates
that the growth of seed is completely decided by the power of God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
He
who sows the seed does not know how the seed should sprout and grow. The worker
of the Lord should only preach the word of God without worry
for the word of
God itself will have effect in man’s heart.
2)
Man
plants and waters
but God gives the increase (1Cor.3:6-7).
Mark. 4:28 “For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade
then the head
after that
the full grain in the head.”
YLT: “for of itself
doth the earth bear fruit
first a blade
afterwards an ear
afterwards full
corn in the ear;”
Meaning of Words: “by itself”: spontaneous
of own accord; “full”: covered over
complete;
Spiritual Meaning: “for the earth yields
crops by itself”
it indicates that “God’s word” itself
has the power of life and it will grow in the normal heart (ground) of men.
“First the blade
then the head
after
that the full grain in the head”
it shows that the growth of “God’s word” in
men’s heart has certain process and is according to some order and it will
increase unto ripeness after some days.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
For
every purpose there is time and manner (Eccl. 8:6).
2)
If
we have good heart (ground)
God’s word will surely have the life effect in us.
If we have not increased
the problem does not lie in God’s word
but in our
heart.
3)
The
growth of Christians’ life cannot be grown in one day
so we have to focus our
effort on this matter before God and dwell in the Lord so that the life will
increase gradually.
Mark. 4:29 “But when the grain
ripens
immediately he puts in the sickle
because the harvest has come." ”
YLT: “and whenever
the fruit may yield itself
immediately he doth send forth the sickle
because
the harvest hath come.'”
Spiritual Meaning: it will be the “harvest”
time when the end of the world comes. God will send the angel to harvest on the
earth (see Matt.13:39; Rev.14:15-16) and those are ripe will be brought together
into God’s granary (Matt. 13:30)
and thus they are taking part in the
fulfillment of God’ kingdom.
Enlightenment in the Word: the real service unto
Christ is out of the sovereignty of the living God ---- “of itself” (see v.28)
but not of any artificiality ---- “he himself does not know how” (see v.27). We
shall “sow the seed” diligently and harvest “when the harvest has come” and entrust
the process of growth totally to the hand of God.
Mark. 4:30 “Then
He said
"To what shall we liken the
YLT: “And he said
`To what may we liken the reign of God
or in what simile may we compare it?”
Meaning of Words: “like”: as; “picture”: reach a place arrive;
Mark. 4:31 “It is like a mustard seed which
when it is sown on the ground
is
smaller than all the seeds on earth;”
YLT: “As 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;”
Meaning of Words: “like”: in that manner (which is the different word from the previous verse);
Literal Meaning: “the kingdom of heaven is
like a mustard seed”
the Lord does not mean that the
kingdom of heaven is like “a mustard seed”
but like the whole parable from
v.31 to v.32.
Spiritual Meaning: the word of the Lord here
implies that:
1) The nature of the
2) The kingdom of heaven is like herbs
on the earth and it is temporary. It will be harvested after is has grown up.
3) The word of
the
4) The
“Sowed in his field”
the beginning of
the kingdom of God is the Lord Himself (“a man”) who sowed His word as seed (“the
mustard seed”) into the world (“his field”).
Mark. 4:32 “but
when it is sown
it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs
and shoots
out large branches
so that the birds of the air may nest under its
shade." ”
YLT: “and 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.'”
The Background: there is a kind of mustard
tree in the
Spiritual Meaning: “but when it is grown it
is greater than the herbs and shoots out large branches”
“shoots out large
branches”
it is not the will of the Lord but the result of the enemy’s
destruction. Here it shows the accidental development of the
1) The
2) It takes root deeply into
the land
unties with the world closely and plans to stay on earth long.
3) It can never be taken as
food like herbs
which has lost its function of the spiritual provision.
“The birds of the air come
and nest in its branches.” ---- “The birds of the air” are Satan (see v.4
15)
and its angels (Eph. 6:12). “Branches” refer to the organizations of
Christianity. It shows that the excessive development of the appearance of the
Some
Bible exegetes explained “shooting out large branches” as that the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
It
is not a good thing of the excessive development of the appearance of the
assembly
for it may easily bring in the hide of the enemy (“the birds of the
air”). The assembly should keep its identity of “little flock” on the earth
(Luke. 12:32).
2)
The
secret of overcoming is to keep our position given by the Lord and be willing
to be humble. God used Saul when he thought himself as the smallest. God found
David when Saul was proud later (1Sam. 9:21
16:1).
3)
If
we puff up and pretend to be great and to be spiritual though we are not so in
fact
we just consequently give room to the devil.
Mark. 4:33 “And with many such
parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to
hear it.”
YLT: “And with many
such similes he was speaking to them the word
as they were able to hear
”
Literal Meaning: “as they were able to hear
it”
it refers to men’s attitude of receiving the “word” as well as the
perceptive condition.
Enlightenment in the Word: when the Lord’s workers
preach the Lord’s words
they should preach according to the hearers’ perceptive
condition and ability. Therefore
they should try to know the conditions of the
hearers before preaching the Lord’s words.
Mark. 4:34 “But without a
parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone
He explained all
things to His disciples. ”
YLT: “and without a
simile he was not speaking to them
and by themselves
to his disciples he was
expounding all.”
Meaning of Words: “speak”: preach
say; “explain”:
solve further
expound;
Mark. 4:35 “On the same day
when evening had come
He said to them
"Let us cross
over to the other side." ”
YLT: “And he saith to
them on that day
evening having come
`We may pass over to the other side;'”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
If
we work for the Lord
we should not be seized by the work itself. We shall not
be reluctant to “cross over to the other side” and leave the crowed for the
sake of the great efficacious work or the great number of man that we have
gained.
2)
We
believers today are also sojourners in the world and
are crossing over to the other side ---- the better and heavenly city (Heb.
11:13
16).
3)
That
we follow the Lord is not though our own strength to “swim over to the other
side”
but through the status of being in the “boat” of grace to “cross over to
the other side”.
4)
Since
the Lord has said that “let us cross over to the other
side”
He will surely take the responsibility of His own words. The faith
of Christians is catching the Lord’s words. Once the Lord “has said” that let
us cross over to the other side
we should “believe” that we will surely cross over
to the other side.
5)
The
Lord said that “let us cross over to the other side”
not “drive down to the sea
bottom”. Since we have the sure words of the Lord
we will never sink in the
sea bottom even though the wind is strong and the wave is fierce.
Mark. 4:36 “Now when they had
left the multitude
they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little
boats were also with Him. ”
YLT: “and having let
away the multitude
they take him up as he was in the boat
and other little
boats also were with him.”
Spiritual Meaning: “boat” in the Bible
symbolizes the assembly; “sea” symbolizes the world. Though the boat is in sea
it is separated from the sea. Though the assembly sojourns in the world
it is
separated from the world. There was only the Lord and His disciples on the
boat. That is to say
the Lord and those who are of Him make up the so-called
assembly.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
Lord and disciples are the key elements of making up the assembly and both of
them are indispensable. If there is the Lord without the disciples
the
assembly will not exist on earth. If there are only disciples without the Lord
the assembly will have neither content nor reality.
2)
When
we follow the Lord
the most important thing is whether the Lord is on the
boat. It will be a big problem if the Lord is not on our boat.
Mark. 4:37 “And a great
windstorm arose
and the waves beat into the boat
so that it was already
filling.”
YLT: “And there
cometh a great storm of wind
and the waves were beating on the boat
so that
it is now being filled
”
Meaning of Words: “great”: big exceedingly; “tempest”: disturbance shake waver;
The Background: the
Mark. 4:38 “But
He was in the stern
asleep on a pillow. And they awoke
Him and said to Him
"Teacher
do You not care that we are
perishing?" ”
YLT: “and 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?'”
Spiritual Meaning: “asleep on a pillow”
it
symbolized that the Lord seemed to pay little attention to the disciples’ difficulty.
“They awoke Him”
it referred to the disciples prayers.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
assembly
in the world
is always attacked by the outside circumstances. Sometimes
the circumstance is so terrible that even the Lord’s presence seems to be lost
(“He was asleep”).
2)
As
long as we have the presence of the Lord
no matter it is openly (He is awake)
or secretly (“He was asleep”)
we will not be shaken even though the enemy
stirs up troubles.
3)
Terrible
circumstances always force us to come to the Lord to call upon Him.
4)
If
men see the fierce winds and surges
they will feel that all hope of being
saved is taken away. However
if we hold fast the Lord’s words
it is convinced
that we will not be killed (see Acts. 27:20
22-25).
5)
Men
may usually complain about the Lord’s “not caring”. However
it is not the Lord
does not care for us
but that we lack faith (see v.40).
6)
When
we follow the Lord
we shall learn to believe the Lord’s word absolutely ---- “cross
over to the other side (see v.35) ---- instead of doubting or fearing because
of the dangerous circumstances.
Mark. 4:39 “Then He arose and
rebuked the wind
and said to the sea
"Peace
be still!" And the
wind ceased and there was a great calm. ”
YLT: “And 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:”
Meaning of Words: “rebuke”: reprove
blame; “peace”:
dumb
hold peace (a commanding tone); “be still”: muzzle
be quiet (a commanding
tone); “calm”: tranquil;
Literal Meaning: “rebuked the wind
and
said to the sea”
the wind and sea had neither person nor consciousness. The
Lord was rebuking the ruler of the authority of the air behind the wind and the
sea (Eph.2:2) as well as the dirty spirit in the sea (see 5:13).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
Lord’s word that goes forth out of His mouth ---- it shall not return unto Him
void
but it shall do that which He pleases (Is. 55:11).
2)
The
waves in the sea were because of the wind in the air
so the Lord first “rebuked
the wind” and then made the sea still
which indicated that all the confusion
and roiling were due to “the ruler of the authority of the air” ---- the tricks
of the devil. However
the Son of God has been manifested in order to undo the
works of the devil and thus bring true peace to men.
3)
All
the trouble that the assembly is confronted with is stirred up by Satan and its
ministers.
Mark. 4:40 “But He said to them
"Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no
faith?" ”
YLT: “and he said to
them
`Why are ye so fearful? how have ye not faith?'”
Literal Meaning: “why are you so fearful? How
is it that you have no faith?” ---- The Lord reproached the disciples because they
had lost faith in the power of His words and became fearful. They only cared
for the winds and the sea before their eyes and forgot the words that the Lord
had earlier commanded them ---- “cross over to the other side” (v.35).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
What
the Lord reproached was not their awaking Him (v.25) ------prayer but their
fearfulness. The Lord likes us to “trouble” Him with prayers but does not like
us to trouble ourselves with fearfulness.
2)
He
who is fearful is the one who does not know the Lord and forget the Lord’s
words. Such man only sees other men as well as the circumstance
so he fears
both men and circumstance.
3)
We
should let the words of the Lord change the circumstance
not let the
circumstance change the words of the Lord.
4)
Our
prayers are supposed to be the manifestation of faith. However many times our
prayers show our little faith. The Lord does not like our prayers made by
little faith.
5)
To
those who really know the Lord and know to hold fast the words of the Lord
the
greater the outside wind is
the more his inside faith will be. The outside
wind can not blow away their faith and on the contrary the outside wind is
calmed by their faith finally.
6)
The
Lord not only rebukes the wind and the sea (v.39)
but also rebuked the wicked
heart of unbelief. He is not only the Master of the natural world and the
Master of men’s heart as well.
7)
The
wind outside is not terrible. What is really terrible is the inside wind. No
matter how terrible the outside wind is
as long as we do not let them blow
into our heart
there will be of nothing to fear.
Mark. 4:41 “And they feared exceedingly
and said to one another
"Who
can this be
that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" ”
YLT: “and they feared
a great fear
and said one to another
`Who
then
is this
that even the wind
and the sea do obey him?'”
Literal Meaning: the word “exceedingly” is the
same as the word “great” is the same word in the original. They were feared
exceedingly for seeing the great calm.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Tribulations
make us know Him more deeply------“who can this be?” just like Job heard of God
by the hearing of the ear
but after tribulations his eyes saw God (Job. 42:5).
2)
The
Lord is the king. The nature and all things shall obey Him. The demons hidden
behind circumstances shall obey Him also. We who are of Him shall more obey Him.
III. Outlines of the Spiritual
Lessons
Four Kinds of Heart
A. The heart of the wayside ---- those who are hard to receive the word of God so that the
word is taken by Satan (v.4
15);
B.
The
heart of the stony ground ---- those who receive the word of God with gladness
but have no root in themselves (v.5-6
16-17);
C.
The
heart of the ground of thorns ---- the word of God is choked by the cares of
this world
the deceitfulness of riches
and the desires for other things (v.7
18-19);
D.
The
heart of the good ground ---- the word of God can increase and bear fruit in
such ground (v.8
20);
The Word and Men’s Heart
A.
The
wayside where the word is sown (v.4
15) ---- the word
has not entered into man’s heart (man whose faith is not stable).
B.
The
stony ground where the word is sown (v.5-6
16-17) ---- only
a part of the word has entered into man’s heart (man whose faith is not
sufficient).
C.
The
thorns where the word is sown (v.7
18-19) ---- a half of the
word has entered into man’s heart (man whose faith is not firm).
D.
The
good ground where the word is sown (v.8
20) ---- the word has deeply entered
into man’s heart (man whose faith is great).
The Reason Why the Lord Preached with
Parables
A.
The
mystery of the
B. To those who do not desire to
seek the Lord (who are outside)
the parable is purposed to make them hear and not
understand (v.12).
C.
To
those who desire to seek the Lord
they can understand all the parable if they
have known the principle of the parables (v.13).
D.
To
those who like to hear the Lord’s word
with many such parables He spoke the
word to them as they were able to hear it (v.33).
E.
The
Lord only preached with parables to those who were outside
but explained
everything to His disciples (v.34).
The Dual Responsibilities of
Christians
A. We shall shine others with truth
(v.21);
B.
We
shall shine others with justice (v.22);
1.
We
should be honest (v.23).
2.
We
should treat others with justice (v.24).
C.
The
conclusion ---- the reward of God (v.25);
The Works of Man
A.
To
sow the seed laboriously (v.26);
B.
To
wait in rest (v.27-28);
C.
To
harvest joyfully (v.29);
The Seed of God
A. The sowing of the seed
(v.26) ---- it is according to the time (which can not be decided by man);
B.
The
growth of the seed (v.27) ---- it is rather wonderful (which can not be known
by man);
C.
The
yielding of the seed (v.28) ---- it has its order (which can not be changed by
man);
D.
The
harvest of the seed (v.29) ---- it is according to its law (which can not be handled
by man);
Who Can This Be?
A.
He
is the Lord who guides our way ---- Jesus said to them
"Let us cross over
to the other side" (v.35).
B.
He
is the Lord who is with us ---- when they had left the multitude
they took Him
along in the boat as He was (v.36).
C.
He
is the Lord who tries the disciples ---- Jesus was in the stern
asleep on a
pillow (v.37
D.
He
is the Lord who grants those who ask Him ---- they awoke Him…and there was a
great calm (v
E.
He
is the Lord who teaches the disciples ---- Jesus said to them
"Why are you
so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" (v.40)
F.
He
is the Lord of all things ---- that even the wind and the sea obey Him! (v.41).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou