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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Mark 4:13 - 4:20
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mar_4:13-20
13And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables? 14The sower sows the word. 15These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 16In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; 17and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. 18And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."
Mar_4:13 "'Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables'" This statement is unique to Mark, but shows that Jesus expected the disciples to understand. His family did not understand, the crowds did not understand, the religious leaders did not understand, and even the disciples, without special attention and explanation, did not understand.
This parable is a paradigm for the others. Here are several key principles for interpreting parables:
1. take note of the historical and literary contexts
2. identify the central truth
3. do not push the details
4. check the Gospel parallels
5. look for the unexpected twist or culturally surprising statement which will be the call to action based on the new kingdom ethic
Mar_4:14 The seed refers to gospel proclamation. Matthew's parallel (cf. Mar_13:19) calls it "the word of the Kingdom."
Mar_4:15 "Satan" This robbery of truth is expressed so clearly in 2Co_4:4. The Matthew parallel (cf. Mat_13:19) adds that "they do not understand it," then Satan takes it out of the mind and heart so they don't think more about it. See Special Topic at Mar_1:13.
▣ "takes away" This Greek term airô can mean (1) to destroy (cf. Joh_11:48) or (2) to take a person's life (cf. Luk_23:18; Act_12:19); no word, no life!
Mar_4:16 "when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy" Initial acceptance of a truth is not the only criterion (cf. Mar_4:17; Mar_4:19). Biblical faith is not based on a past emotional decision, but on a growing relationship. Salvation is not a fire insurance policy or a ticket to heaven, but a restored "image of God," which allows intimate, daily fellowship with God. A joyful germination is no substitute for a fruit-bearing relationship (cf. Mar_4:20).
Mar_4:17 "and they have no firm root in themselves" This parallels John's use of believe in Mar_8:30 ff.
▣ "when affliction or persecution arises" Perseverance is the evidence of true faith.
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▣ "because of the word" Notice that persecution is related to the gospel (cf. Mat_5:10-12; 1Pe_2:11-12; 1Pe_2:21; 1Pe_3:14-17; 1Pe_4:12-16). God's Son, God's word, and God's people are targets in a fallen world.
Mar_4:18 The third kind of soil refers to those who hear the word, but external problems (cf. Mar_4:19) cause it (i.e., the seed – the word) to die. Notice the clear difference between germination and fruit-bearing! A good start does not win the race, but a good finish (cf. John 15; Hebrews 11).
Mar_4:19 "worries of the world and deceitfulness of riches" These refer to the temptations of this fallen world (or age).
Mar_4:20 "thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold" The amount is not as significant as the fruit bearing!