Mark 4

Christ declares the state of the kingdom of God by divers similitudes first of a sower whose seed fell upon several grounds 1 relates the cause why he speak the similitudes 10 and interpret the foregoing similitudes to his disciples in particular14. afterwards of a candle that is set on a candle stick 21 of the measure wherewith men meet out 24. of the seed that grows up to its ripeness but by degrees 26. of the mustard seed 30 passeth over the sea with the disciples sleeping in the ship is awaked and stilleth the tempest 35.

1. And began again to teach about the sea [understanding the lake of the sea and Gennesareth on which Capernaum lay unto which Christ often went because commonly there was much people and therefore a fit place for to teach Matthew 13:1 Mark 2:13] and there gathered a great multitude unto him so that being entered into the ship he sate down on the sea and the whole multitude was on the land by the sea.

2. And he taught them many things by similitude [Gr parables see Matthew 13:3] and he said unto them in his doctrine [that is in the teaching [or as he taught.]

3. Hearken behold a sower went out for to sow.

4. And it happened that in the sowing one part of the seed fell by the way side and the fowls of heaven came and eat it up.

5. And another fell on stony (ground), where it had not much earth;[For a little is soon warmed by the Sun, and moistened by the sun; But when the heat continues, it is also scorched up]and it came up presently because it had no depth on earth.

6. But when was risen up it was and because it had no root [that is no sufficient or firm root] it withered.

7. And other in the thorns and the thorns grew up and choked the same and it yielded no fruit.

8. And other [namely grain or part of the seed] fell into good earth and yielded fruits which came up and grew and the other bear thirty and the other [Gr. the one] sixty and the other [Gr. the one] an hundred sold.

9. And he said unto them he that hath ears to hear let him hear [see the exposition Matthew 13:9]

10. And now when he was alone they which were about him [viz. those out of whom he took his seventy disciples] with the twelve asked him the similitude.

11. And he said unto them to you it is given to understand the misery of kingdom of God [namely clearly and plainly]but to those which are without [namely which are without the number of my sheep or which are no true members of the church John 10:26 Romans 9:6,7,8] all these things happen in parables .

12. That seeing they might see and observe and hearing hear and not understand left at any time they should be converted and their sins be forgiven them. [By these words taken out of Esa 6.9 is declared the judgment of upon those who are disobedient to the gospel see Matthew 13:14. 2 Thessalonians 2 verse 11, 12.]

13. And he said unto them know ye not this similitude? and how shall ye understand the similitude ?

14. The sower is he that soweth the word [that is preacheth the doctrine of the gospel]

15. And these are they which are sown by the way side [meaning that by which are sowed by the way side are signified they that &c.] wherein the word is sown:[Gr. where that is in which see further the exposition of the similitude in the annotations on Matthew 13 verse 18&c .] and when they have heard it Satan cometh immediately and taketh away the word which was sown in their hearts .

16. And these are they likewise which are sowed on the stony places who when they have heard the word presently receive the same with joy.

17. And have no root in themselves but are for a time afterwards when affliction and persecution come for the words sake they are presently offended [that is they stumble at this that they with the professors of the gospel are subject to persecution and afterwards fall of.]

18. And these are they which are sown in the thorns namely they that hear the word

19. And the cares of this worlds [Gr. seculi that is of things pertaining this life] and the seduction of riches and the lusts coming in about the other things.[namely honor pleasure and revenge and the like]choak the word and it becometh unfruitful.

20. And these are they that are sown in good earth: which hear the word and receive it and bear fruits the one thirty and the other sixty and the other an hundred (sold).

21. And he said unto them cometh the candle also [that is a candle lightened and brought?] to be set under the corn measure or under the bed? [Or bed-sted] it is not for to be set on a candle stick?

22. For there is nothing hid that shall not be revealed [that is Christ taught his disciples nothing to keep secret but what in due time they were to teach all men] neither is there anything done to be hidden but that it should be made manifest.

23. If any man hath ears for to hear let him hear [that is let him observe it]

24. And he said unto them look to it what ye hear with measure ye meet it shall be measured unto ye [that is according as ye shall faithful impart your gifts of knowledge so others shall the Lord also increase the same unto ye see Matthew 25:21, 29]

25. For whoso hath to him shall be given and he that hath not from him shall that also be taken which he hath.

26. And said thus it is with the kingdom of God [that is with the progress of the preaching of the Gospel see Matthew 21:23] like as if a man should throw the seed into the earth.

27. And then should sleep and rise night and day [that is afterwards up and down and take no further care as Psalms 3:6 and the seed should sprout forth and grow tall [that is great or shot up high] himself knows not how .

28. For the earth brings forth fruits for itself [that is by its concreated power and nature it brings forth fruit of that which is sown in it Genesis 1:11 by this similitude Christ teacheth that the word of God being preached doth get itself and increase in the hearts of man not properly by the labor and care of the teacher but by the secret working of the spirit of God which comes to be observed by degrees by the growing forth of the fruits there 1Corinthians 3.7] first the blade then the ear then the full corn in the ear .

29. And when the fruits put forth itself it straightway he thrust the sickle therein because the harvest is present [Gr standeth there]

30. And he said whereunto shall we compare the kingdom of God? Or unto what similitude shall we liken it?

31. Namely to a mustard seed [what this similitude imports see Matthew 13:13] which when it is sown in the earth is the least [Gr the lesser] of all the seeds that are on the earth.

32. And when it is sown it riseth up and becometh the greatest [the more or greater] of all potherb and maketh getteth great branches so that the fowls of heaven may nestle under its shadow.

33. And by many such similitudes he spake the word [namely of the gospel] unto them according as they were able to hear it [namely according as they understood these common earthly things although they apprehended not the spiritual things which were thereby represented.]

34. And without similitude he spake not unto them but he declared all things to his disciples in private.

35. And on the same day when it was now become evening he said unto them let us pass over to the other side [namely of the sea of Galilee over against Capernaum towards the land of the Gadarens as appears by the following chapter verse 1]

36. And they having dismissed the multitude took him along as he was in the ship and there were yet other small ships with him.

37. And there was a great storm of wind and the waves beat over into the ship so that it was now full.

38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship sleeping in a pillow and they raised him up and said unto him master [Gr. teacher] doth it not trouble thee [or dith it not concern thee?] that we perish?

39. And being raised up he rebuked the wind and said to the sea hold thy peace be still and the wind was laid and there was a great calm.

40. And he said unto them why ye are so fearful? How have ye no faith? [That is no firm assurance confidence for they were not altogether withoutfaith but of little faith Matthew 8 verse 26 Luke 8:25.]

41. And they feared with great fear and said one to another who is this I pray that even the wind and the sea are obedient to him ?