Mark 4

Prudence indeed is necessary and commendable; but it is extremely apt to cause men to come into lukewarmness, indolence, and timidity: and zeal like that of Christ, will seldom escape the charge of being excessive and indiscreet, from the more decent part of mankind, or even from professors of the gospel, who can scarcely conceive, that invisible and future things require more earnestness, than our most important temporal concerns. But let men beware how they ascribe the operations of the Holy Ghost to the power of the devil, or how they deride and revile them: for in so doing, they may be guilty of such blasphemy as shall never find forgiveness, but expose them to eternal damnation. Let the servants of Christ go on with their work, in dependence on his power, and avoiding all contentions with each other, which only weaken the common cause: then they will have an almighty Helper ready to overcome their strong enemy, and to deliver sinners from his hateful dominion.”

— T°. Scott.; a.: Chap. IV. Ver. 26—29. “‘This parable, which is not found in any other gospel, represents the manner in which the kingdom of God gains ground in the world. In this respect, he who faithfully and diligently preaches ‘the word of the truth of the gospel,’ may be likened to a husbandman, who sows his seed with suitable care and attention, and then leaves it. Accordingly, he sleeps by night, and rises in the morning to attend on his other business; not being solicitous about the seed, as if the increase depended on his constant attention. In the mean time it springs up, and by imperceptible degrees, grows to maturity; and he is so far from managing the process, that he does not comprehend it: for the earth, made fruitful by the Creator’s power and goodness, and receiving the influence of the sun, rain, and varying seasons, as ordered by him, spontaneously produces the increase.

A small blade first appears, and, during the changes of the weather, it sometimes appears more flourishing, and at others seems to wither: yet at length it ears, fills, and ripens; and the husbandman gathers in the crop,—which God has given him as the increase of his seed sown. Thus faithful preachers sow ‘the good seed of the word,’ and use the other appointed means of obtaining success: ‘but God alone gives the increase.’ When they have the opportunity of watching the effects of their own labours, they find their hopes and fears continually fluctuate, they meet with disappointments which they can by no means prevent, and success where they had almost given up the hope of it: but much of the good done will generally be unknown at the time, and perhaps becomes visible after their death.

However, the labour of that man, who is faithful and diligent, will not be in vain: the seed finds some hearts prepared by the preventing grace of God to receive it: under the influences of the Spirit it springs up; and from convictions of sin, and inquiries after salvation, it grows up into a more solid judgment, deeper experience and humility, and greater simplicity; and thus proceeds to increasing fruitfulness in good works. In this manner, souls are prepared for heaven: and when their measure of services and trials are completed, and they are made ready for the glory and felicity intended for them, the Lord will gather them as the wheat of his harvest into his garner: and they, who have been the instruments of their conversion and sanctification, will at last glorify God for the blessed increase of their patient labours, which perhaps at the time they concluded to be almost entirely unsuccessful. God, by his ministers, sows the seed; and he by ministering angels gathers in the harvest.: Ver.

30—32. “We should not despise feeble beginnings, either in individuals or in the diffusing of the light of divine truth in dark places; as ‘the kingdom of heaven is like the grain of mustard-seed,’ and as great consequences often spring from feeble causes and instruments. These things will not be obvious to others, but Christ will expound them to his disciples. and if we follow him closely, he will afford us his special presence; and he will teach us self-denial by his precepts and his example. Storms may indeed assail us, and our fears may be great; but faith will apply to him for help, and meet no disappointment. Even when he seems to slumber, he restrains the violence of the winds and waves, and the fury of wicked men and apostate spirits: and when he awakes for our help, he will speak every tempest into a calm, and turn all our terrors into adoring love and gratitude.”’— T’. Scott.

Notes on the verses

Chap. IV. Ver. 1—20. And he began again to teach, &c.—The parable of the sower, which here follows, with its explanation, has been already considered on (Matthew 13:1-23). Ver. 10. Alone—That is, the multitude being gone, they see, and do not per- Ver. 12. That seeing.—[Rather, ‘So that seeing they perceive, and hearing they hear, and do not understand.’] The phrase appears to be proverbial; and relates to those who might see what they now overlook through inattention and folly. See the parallel texts.—Bagster. Ver. 21. Is a candle brought, &c.—See (Matthew 5:15), where we have the same sentiment spoken on another occasion. Ver. 26—29. So is the kingdom of God.—This seems to us connected with the parable of the tares, (Matthew 13:24), &c. Ver. 30—34. And he said, &c.—The parable of the mustard seed, and following remarks, will be found (Matthew 13:31-36), &c.—Mustard.—{Mustard is a well known plant of the tetradynamia siliquosa class, distinguished by its yellow cruciform flowers, with expanding calyx, and its pods smooth, square, and close to the — seed was probably the smallest known to the Jews; and though its ordinary height does not exceed four feet, yet a species rose to the height of from three to five cubits, with a tapering, ligneous stalk spreading branches. See Scheuchzer.|—Bagster. Ver. 36. Even as he was—That is, without rest or refreshment.—In the original he renders the word bark: it was doubtless a small sailing vessel.: Ver.

37. It was now full—Namely, with water. See (Luke 8:22). Ver. 38. On a pillow.—But Wesley renders it, “on the pillow in the stern;” understanding “a particular part of the vessel, near the rudder.”