Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Mark
Book: Mark
Chapter: 4
Overview:
The Parable of the Sower.
(1-20) Other parables.
(21-34)
Christ stills the tempest.
(35-41)
1-20 This
Parable contained instruction
So important, that all
capable of hearing were bound to attend to it. There are many
things we are concerned to know; and if we understand not the
Plain truths of the
Gospel, how shall we learn those more
difficult! It will help us to value the privileges we enjoy as
disciples of
Christ, if we seriously consider the deplorable
state of all who have not such privileges. In the great
Field of
the
Church, the
Word of God is dispensed to all. Of the many
that hear the
Word of the
Gospel, but few receive it,
So as to
bring forth
Fruit. Many are much affected with the
Word for the
present, who yet receive
No abiding benefit. The
Word does not
leave abiding impressions upon the minds of men, because their
hearts are not duly disposed to receive it. The
Devil is very
busy about careless hearers, as the fowls of the
Air go about
the seed that lies above ground. Many continue in a
Barren,
false profession, and go down to
Hell. Impressions that are not
Deep, will not last. Many do not mind
Heart-work, without which
religion is nothing. Others are hindered from profiting
By the
Word of God,
By abundance of the world. And those who have but
little of the world, may yet be ruined
By indulging the body.
God expects and requires
Fruit from those who enjoy the
Gospel,
a temper of mind and
Christian graces daily exercised,
Christian
duties duly performed. Let us look to the
Lord, that
By his
new-creating
Grace our hearts may become good ground, and that
the good seed of the
Word may produce in our lives those good
words and
Works which are through
Jesus Christ, to the praise
and
Glory of
God the
Father.
21-34 These declarations were intended to
Call the attention of
the disciples to the
Word of
Christ.
By his thus instructing
them, they were made able to instruct others; as candles are
lighted, not to be covered, but to be placed
On a
Candlestick,
that they may give
Light to a room. This
Parable of the good
seed, shows the manner in which the
Kingdom of God makes
progress in the world. Let but the
Word of
Christ have the place
it ought to have in a soul, and it will show itself in a good
Conversation. It grows gradually: first the
Blade; then the
Ear;
after that the full
Corn in the
Ear. When it is sprung up, it
will go forward. The work of
Grace in the soul is, at first, but
the
Day of small things; yet it has mighty products even now,
while it is in its growth; but what will there be when it is
perfected in
Heaven!
35-41 Christ was asleep in the storm, to try the
Faith of his
disciples, and to stir them up to pray. Their
Faith appeared
weak, and their prayers strong. When our wicked hearts are like
the troubled
Sea which cannot
Rest, when our passions are
unruly, let us think we hear the
Law of
Christ, saying, Be
silent, be
Dumb. When without are fightings, and within are
fears, and the spirits are in a tumult, if he say, "Peace, be
still," there is a great calm at once. Why are ye
So fearful?
Though there may be cause for some fear, yet not for such fear
as this. Those may suspect their
Faith, who can have such a
thought as that
Jesus careth not though his people perish. How
imperfect are the best of saints!
Faith and fear take their
turns while we are in this world; but ere long, fear will be
overcome, and
Faith will be lost in sight.