In Mark 4, Jesus Christ asks how will you understand any of the parables if you don't understand the parable of the sower.
- Mark 4:13 And He said unto them, "Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Mark 4:1-25: The Parable of the Sower
Mark 4:1 And He began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto Him a great multitude, so that He entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
We are given the setting. A natural amphitheater is set. Jesus is in a boat and he pulled away from the shore. His voice can now be heard from a great distance off the water.
Jesus taught in parables. He did this because everybody has different levels of instruction, and parables allow us all to understand what is being said. There is no other way to salvation than Christ's Word.
The method of sowing seed at this time was broadcasting, it is even common today. When you broadcast seed, you have a small bag harnessed around your neck, the bag is filled with seeds. As the sower walks, they cast seeds from side to side. However, the sower has no control where the seeds will fall or which ones will even sprout. This is what Jesus wanted us to be aware of. The seed is the True Word of God, the field is the world, and the sower is the person who teaches the word.
- Mark 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
The seeds that landed here were exposed to the birds who took them away before they could sprout, root, and grow. (1st seed, did not take root and mature).
- Mark 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
Depth: Greek word. Strong's Number *899*. Bathos (bath'-os). profundity, i.e. (by implication) extent; (figuratively) mystery. Metaphorically used as "meat" of the Word.
- Mark 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
The seed dried up and died as soon as the sun hit it. This is likened to someone hearing the Word of God, but having a hardened heart. Therefore, the seed can not take root. You must have root in God's Word in order to protect yourself against satan's lies and deception. (2nd seed, did not take root and mature).
- Mark 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
Thorns are weeds. The thorns deprived the seeds of moisture, sun, and soil. The thorns are symbolic of satan's lies and false doctrines that spread and sound so good, but in reality they are just a cheap imitation lacking basis in truth. People today chase "feel good" doctrines and traditions of men, which stray away from God's true word. (3rd seed, did not take root and mature).
- Mark 4:8 And other fell on the ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred.
This seed was not lost, 1 seed out of the 4 took root and matured. The "good ground" is prepared ground. You will be more successful in planting seeds by preparing yourself through increasing knowledge and understanding God's Word, were-by God can utilize you. It is just as a farmer prepares his field before he plants his crop, he will receive a better yield. For many it is not intended that they understand. However, just one little spot of fertile ground will produce many times over, some thirty, some sixty, and some hundred fold.
- Mark 4:9 And He said unto them, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
This is the reason Jesus spoke in parables. The ones that have ears to hear, will understand what is being told.
- Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable.
After all the people had departed, the disciples remained with Christ, and they asked Jesus to explain this parable. The did not understant it. He will explain it to them in the next few verses.
- Mark 4:11 And He said unto them, "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
In the ancient manuscripts it reads, "Unto you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God."
- Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (It is important for us to understand that God sends the "spirit of slumber" on a person for protection. It is not out of hate, instead it is out of His love and compassion for his children.
- Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should beconverted, and their sins should be forgiven them ."
This is fulfilling the prophesy of
Isaiah 6:9.
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (9) And He said, "Go, and tell this People, 'Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.' (10) Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed." (Isaiah is writing this to those people living in the last days. The spirit of slumber is spoken of in Romans 11:7-8. It is not a curse. Infact, it is done for the protection of the weak-minded who would not be able to against satan in the end times. Where there is no knowledge; in ignorance there is no sin unto the death of the soul and spirit. God will lift the spirit of slumber off those that He will, when it is His time.
- Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, "Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
If you do not understand the parable of the sower and the parable of the tares, you will not understand any parables to their full extent.
- Mark 4:14 The sower soweth the word.
Jesus explains to His diciples that this sower is of the Word, not plant seeds.
- Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Sata tries by all types of different means to take the true Word of God away from people and plant his false doctrines into their minds and hearts. Do not be discouraged when some people reject the Word of God. As a planter of the seed, it is not your responsibility as to whether the Word is taken or not. It is our job to plant seeds, God will take care of the rest. (1st soul lost).
- Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
The effect of hearing and understanding the Word has an immediate result. At first when they understand they are excited.
- Mark 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
When any affliction or persecution comes against them, and challenges their faith and beliefs, they immediately are offended to the point of denying Christ and His Word. (2nd lost soul).
- Mark 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
- Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
There is no sin in having the riches and things of this world, as long as they do not become idols and a priority over God. They are all part of the blessings of God, and we should thank him for them.
- Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring fourth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some an hundred."
These are the ones that receive the Word right into their minds and they accept and understand what is being said. Those that have heard and recieve the word will always pass the Word on.
- Mark 4:21 And He said unto them, "Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
If there is darkness anywhere and you light a candle, the light can be seen even from a long distance away. God's Word is the light of this world age, and just because some will not understand you, that shouldn't stop you from making His light visible. Sow the seed.
- Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
You are responsible for sowing the seed, and that is what you will be held accountable for. Everybody has free will and the opportuinty to decide for themselves, be an example and don't try to make somebody believe.
- Mark 4:23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."
If you understand God's Word, broadcast and spread the Word, and if they are meant to understand, they will understand.
- Mark 4:24 And He said unto them, "Take heed what you hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
God will only give you what you can handle. When He reveals something to you and you spread it, more will be revealed unto you.
- Mark 4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath."
He that has spent time to study God's Word will be rewarded and reap awards in Heaven for being a faithful servant. He that hasent spent time to learn our Father's Word will be stripped of what little he does know.
http://www.biblestudysite.com/sower.htm
http://www.theseason.org/mark/mark4.htm
