The Gospel of Mark – Part 12

We can divide the chapter into four main sections:

• The public teaching, vv.1-9;
• The private explanation, vv.10-20;
• The parables in private, vv.21-34;
• The passage across the sea, vv.35-41.

The public teaching, vv. 1-9

Within the first section we have the public teaching of the parable of the sower.¹

The scene is set, vv. 1-3

Whilst the Lord had taught by the seaside before, Mark records what is a new departure in the ministry of the Lord, ‘he began again to teach’, v.1. The Lord had taught in a similar location before. He had taught a multitude before. However, this is the first time He had specifically ‘taught them many things by parables’, v.2. He had used parables in chapter 3 when addressing the Pharisees and scribes, but this is the first recorded use of parables in the teaching of the multitude.

The Lord is in the ship, separated from the multitude by a small stretch of water. In what is regarded as a natural amphitheatre setting, He begins to teach.²Some have suggested that this was also a natural setting for the work of a sower. Near to the natural irrigation afforded by the lake and the river that flowed from it, it might have been possible to see a sower on the slopes around the lake. In this way, the Lord relates His teaching using a picture that would be familiar to His hearers.

It is only Mark who records the word of the Lord that commands the attention of His hearers, ‘Hearken’, v. 3. Hiebert comments, ‘The present imperative calls for the continuing attention of the hearers’.³ From the commencement of this public declaration of the message through to its close in verse 9, the Lord is stressing the need for careful attention to the message delivered.

The seed falls, vv.4-8

Although ‘there went out a sower to sow’, v.3, the real emphasis in this parable is not on the sower but upon the seed and where that seed falls. All these types of ground are introduced for us, in verse 4, by the words, ‘And it came to pass’. This would indicate that it was not the purpose of the sower that the seed should fall into any of these areas other than the good ground. In this way the Lord directs our minds to the soil and its productivity. There are four basic situations into which the seed falls:

• i. ‘the way side’, v.4. This would most likely be a path or well-beaten track. As hardened ground, Luke tells us that the seed likewise became trodden under foot, 8. 5. From that point it was devoured by the fowls;
• ii. ‘stony ground’, v.5. The ground here has but a thin layer of soil covering a slab of rock.⁴On this basis there is quick growth without real root or moisture. The tender shoot cannot bear the heat of the day.
• iii. ‘among thorns’, v.7. This is ground that is infested with weeds. As such, the new seed is suffocated and has little,if any, light or moisture from which to grow and has no opportunity to yield fruit.
• iv. ‘good ground’, v.8. This ground yields fruit ‘that sprang up and increased’. What a difference between that which sprang up and withered, vv. 5,6,and that which sprang up and increased, v.8.

The picture demonstrates that there was no problem with the seed. In the good ground, it brought forth an amazing harvest, between three and ten times greater than that which would be expected naturally. It kept on yielding!

The solemn responsibility ,v. 9

As the Lord commences with the word ‘Hearken’, v. 34, so he closes his discourse with the words, ‘He that hath ears to hear, let him hear’. The Lord is stressing that it was not just a matter of listening to the parable. As Cole suggests, it is ‘a warning lest we dismiss it lightly without searching our own hearts’.⁵ They needed to heed what was taught and this was a continuing duty upon them all. Their responsibility is placed firmly upon them.

The private explanation, vv.10-20

The responsibility was placed upon all that heard the parable of the sower, but it was only those who were about the Lord, and remained with Him when the majority had left, that askedHim the meaning. There seems to have been a chronological gap here, possibly one of a few hours but one that did not distract the earnest seekers after truth.

The intention, vv.10-13

As the multitude, together with the scribes and Pharisees, had departed, the Lord is left alone with His disciples and a small group.⁶At this point,those that remain enquire of the Lord the meaning of the parable.

First, the Lord explains His reasons for teaching in parables.

There was a two-fold purpose in the use of parables. The parable was to veil the truth from those who would not hear but also to unveil the truth to those who would hear. ‘Unto you’, says the Lord, v.11. This small group of enquiring listeners would be given the key to understanding the parable. Whereas, ‘them that are without’, v.11, would remain mystified as to its meaning and application.

The Lord is here confirming the chosen path of those who had rejected His teaching and message. The context of these verses shows the extent of the Lord’s rejection, for in chapter 3 they had accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of the demons. As plain as the truth may be, it cannot be understood by those who have set their minds against it.

However, in verse 13 the Lord shows that to really know the meaning and significance of any parable, or portion of the word of God, requires divine intervention.

Second, the Lord explains the meaning of the parable itself.

The explanation, vv.14-20

To the small group of enquiring listeners, the Lord now explains the meaning of the parable. There are five parts to the explanation:

• i. The seed is ‘the word’, v. 14. Luke calls it ‘the word of God’, Luke 8. 11. The Lord was exemplifying what He had spoken about in the parable, and His hearers were, in their turn, examples of the different types of soil of which He spoke. Clearly, the seed is the same throughout and the causes of unfruitfulness cannot be attributed to the seed.
• ii. ‘they by the way side’, v. 15, are those who have hardened hearts and who are easy prey to the work of Satan, the evil one, Matt. 13. 19, in taking away the seed. It is to be noted the swiftness with which Satan works – ‘Satan cometh immediately’!
• iii. ‘these are they … on stony ground’, v. 16, who, in the emotion of the moment and occasion, receive the word with gladness. These people seem to be marked by vigour and enthusiasm but ‘have no root in themselves’, v. 17. The absence of any real faith is seen by the fact that, later, they are offended. Examined by the searchlight of affliction, they are found to be wanting. What a contrast: ‘immediately receive it with gladness’, v. 16, and ‘immediately they are offended’, v17!
• iv. ‘these are they which are sown among thorns’, v. 18. There seems to be a lack of singleness of eye with this group of people. They have an eye for other things and these distractions choke the word. The distractions are allowed in and, ultimately, the word of God is blocked out. The lack of results shows the emptiness of the people.
• v. ‘these are they … sown on good ground’, v. 20. The difference between the good soil and the other types is found in the middle of the verse, ‘receive it, and bring forth fruit’. It is not that they brought forth fruit once but that they continue to bear fruit; the word of God continues to have an effect in their lives. As MacArthur puts it, ‘three present participles mark continuing action’.⁷ It is interesting that the rate of return should be so great, for it far exceeded the normal.

The parable shows the lasting power of the word of God. It can accomplish great things in the lives of those that will hear it and receive it into their hearts by faith. Hiebert comments, ‘The life that continually takes in God’s Word, assimilates it, and is submissive to its demands, will be characterized by personal goodness and power for continued service’.⁸