Mark 4:1-20
Introduction
In this passage, we have the first or three parables spoken by Jesus, one after another. This first parable is commonly known as The Parable of the Sower. In this case, Jesus tells the parable to the crowd and then He gives a private explanation to His disciples.
In this study I want to concentrate mainly on the explanation given by Jesus in verses 13 to 20. When studying this version of the parable, you should also look at the other two versions in Matthew and Luke.
Bear this in mind as we make our way through it.
Verse 2
In verse 2 we are told that Jesus taught the crowd many things in parables. A parable is, literally, something “cast alongside” something else. Jesus’ parables were stories that were cast alongside a truth in order to illustrate that truth.
So, why did Jesus speak in parables? We see the answer in verses 11 and 12. The first thing that we learn from verse 11 is that the parables are about the kingdom of God. And Jesus tells the disciples that He will tell them about the mysteries of the kingdom of God. But to everyone else they will remain a mystery and they will not understand the kingdom. Jesus does this by using parables. What this means is that only those who believe in Jesus will be able to understand the kingdom of God. And those who do not believe in Him will be left in the dark. If they don’t believe in Jesus there is no need for them to know about the kingdom because it doesn’t affect them.
In order to understand what the Parable of the Sower is about we first need to identify the key verse. This is an important principle for understanding any passage of scripture. In this case, the key verse is verse 20 and verse 20 tells us that the parable is about bearing fruit. It is very important that we keep this in mind as we examine the parable in detail.
Verse 3
Right at the beginning of His teaching, Jesus says, “Listen”. This is a command. Jesus is saying that we must listen and take to heart what He is saying.
The Sower or Farmer in the parable represents God. The seed is the word of God. See Luke 8:11. See also Mark 4:14. The Greek word translated as ‘word’ in both Luke’s gospel and Mark’s gospel is ‘logos’ and ‘logos’ is the written word. In other words, it is the scriptures. So, the seed is everything that God has to say to us through the scriptures.
You need to bear in mind that the seed is not the Gospel. There is a different Greek word for gospel and that is ‘euangelion’. The word of God includes the gospel but this parable is not specifically talking about the gospel.
Before we go any further, I want to point out that in verses 15 to 20 Jesus is describing what happens to various people when they hear the word. We know this because of His use of the word ‘ones’ throughout these verses.
Bearing in mind everything that we have learnt so far, now let’s go through the parable in detail.
Verse 15
Remember that this verse is linked to verse 4. You need to look at both verses together.
What happens to this type of person when they hear the word? The answer is that Satan immediately takes the word away from them. The word has no effect on this type of person at all. This tells us that they are not a Christian. They are not saved. From this verse we see that the birds that we read about in verse 4 represent Satan or his demons.
Now let’s digress for a moment and apply what we have just learnt from this parable to another parable in Luke 13:18-19. I want to do this in order to demonstrate the hermeneutical rule of scripture interpreting scripture.
So He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall we compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”
And add to this 1 Timothy 4:1:
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
Now we know from verse 15 of the Parable of the Sower that the birds in the Parable of the Mustard Seed are demons. In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, the tree represents the Church. And so, Jesus is warning us that demons will get into the Church and spread false doctrines. Think about that for a moment.
Now let’s move on to the next type of person.
Verses 16 to 17
Remember that these verses are linked to verses 5 and 6. You need to look at both sets of verses together.
What happens to this type of person when they hear the word? The answer is that they immediately receive it with joy. However, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, they fall away. They believe and put into practice the word that they have received for a while but when that word leads to difficulties for them, they fall away. This type of person is a Christian because they believe the word.
For example, the word of God says that Christians should not forsake the assembling together. But if they live in a country which then makes this illegal then a Christian might choose not to assemble with other Christians in order to avoid being imprisoned.
Notice the words ‘fall away’ in verse 17. The original Greek word that ‘fall away’ is translated from is ‘skandalizo’ which means to stumble or fall into sin. In other words, this type of person abandons the word that they initially believed when it causes them difficulties.
Verses 18 to 19
Remember that these verses are linked to verse 7. You need to look at all three verses together.
What happens to this type of person when they hear the word? The answer is that the worries of the world, the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things choke the word and it becomes unfruitful. They believe and put into practice the word that they have received for a while and it becomes fruitful. However, they let worldly issues take over their lives and the word becomes unfruitful. This type of person is a Christian because they believe the word. However, they love the world too much.
For example, the word of God instructs Christians to have fellowship with other Christians. However, a Christian might initially have regular fellowship but they love football and eventually they stop having fellowship in order to watch their favourite team play.
Verse 20
Remember that this verse is linked to verse 8. You need to look at both verses together.
What happens to this type of person when they hear the word? The answer is that they bear fruit, thirty, sixty and a hundredfold. This type of person is a Christian because they believe the word. The word is fully effective and lasting in this person.
The reason why the word is so fruitful in this type of Christian is because it is sown in ‘good soil’. So, its important for us to understand what this good soil is. The good soil is an honest and good heart. We know this from Luke’s account in Luke 8:15.
This type of Christian is serious about following Jesus and obeying His word. Nothing else matters more than this. They live by faith and they give priority to the Kingdom and God’s righteousness.
So, what is the fruit that they produce? It is the word worked out in the person’s life. Bear in mind that all true Christians bear fruit to some extent.
Do you have good soil in your life?