Mark 4
Summary for Mark 4:1-34: 4:1-34 a In this section Mark collects a number of Jesus’ teaching parables. 4:1 b Jesus again uses a boat to avoid the press of the crowd when he is teaching (3:9 c; Luke 5:2-3 d).4:2 e Parables are often stories (Luke 15:11-32 f; 18:1-8 g) but can also be proverbs (Mark 3:24-25 h; Luke 4:23 i), similes and metaphors (Matt 5:14 j; 10:16 k), riddles (Mark 7:15 l; 14:58 m), comparisons (Matt 13:33 n; Luke 15:3-7 o), examples (Luke 10:30-35 p; 12:16-21 q), or allegories (Mark 4:3-9 r; 12:1-12 s).
Summary for Mark 4:3-9: 4:3-9 t The collection begins with the longest parable and its interpretation (4:13-20 u), focusing on various types of soil as an analogy for various conditions of the human heart.
4:10 v The scene changes from Jesus’ teaching a very large crowd from a boat to his being alone with the twelve disciples and ... others. Their question concerns all the parables (4:33-34 w), not just this one.
Summary for Mark 4:11-12: 4:11-12 x Jesus’ real followers were permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God—namely, that the Kingdom of God had come (1:14-15 y) and that Christ, the Son of God, was in their midst (1:1 z). For outsiders, it all seemed like riddles.
• Jesus’ reply to the disciples’ question suggests that the parables were intended to prevent outsiders from understanding them, so that they would be unable to repent and be forgiven. The quotation from Isa 6:9-10 aa (Greek version) suggests that it was an intentional judgment on the hearers. Jesus’ teaching in parables, and the resultant unbelief of outsiders, fulfilled what the Scriptures had predicted. The sensitive nature of Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God (a theme that would have made Roman authorities very uneasy) made teaching in parables useful in defusing this issue.
4:13 ab If Jesus’ hearers could not understand the parable, they might lack the grace of citizenship in Christ’s Kingdom. However, even the insiders required Jesus’ explanation.
Summary for Mark 4:14-20: 4:14-20 ac The interpretation of the parable of the four soils is allegorical. The farmer represents a preacher of God’s word (4:14 ad). The four types of soil that receive the seed represent different responses to the preaching of the word. The point of this parable and its interpretation is that hearers should be good soil and heed God’s word (4:9 ae). Only those who produce fruit and endure to the end will be saved (13:13 af; 8:35 ag; Rev 2:10-11 ah).
Summary for Mark 4:21-25: 4:21-25 ai These sayings are connected with the exhortation to hear (4:9 aj, 23-24 ak) and with the distinction between insiders and outsiders (4:11-12 al, 24-25 am). They illustrate what citizens of the Kingdom will do. 4:21 an A lamp is lighted to shine and give people light, not to remain hidden. Citizens of the Kingdom are responsible for putting the light of the Good News on a stand (4:17 ao).
Summary for Mark 4:22-23: 4:22-23 ap One day the lamp (i.e., Jesus; cp. John 8:12 aq) will shine his light on everything that is hidden, on every thought and secret action (Mark 13:26 ar; 14:62 as; see Phil 2:10-11 at). The time to listen is before this occurs (Mark 4:9 au).
4:24 av Those who listen and respond will be given more understanding, but those outside (4:11-12 aw) will have greater darkness (2 Cor 3:14-16 ax).
Summary for Mark 4:26-34: 4:26-34 ay Mark now gives additional seed parables (cp. 4:3-20 az). Their common theme is the secret of the Kingdom of God (4:11 ba). The parables of the seed growing secretly (4:26-29 bb) and of the mustard seed (4:30-32 bc) describe different stages of the seed-growth process. The Kingdom of God is hidden (4:21 bd), but growth is certain (4:26-29 be) and the result will be glorious (4:32 bf).
Summary for Mark 4:26-29: 4:26-29 bg This parable focuses on the seed and its inevitable growth.
• Just as the earth produces the crops on its own, the consummation of God’s Kingdom does not depend on human action.
• The leaf blade, the heads of wheat, and the ripened grain describe normal stages in a seed’s growth.
4:29 bh Harvest time is analogous to the final inauguration of God’s Kingdom. A sickle is a frequent symbol of the final judgment (Jer 50:16 bi; Joel 3:13 bj; Rev 14:14-19 bk).
Summary for Mark 4:30-32: 4:30-32 bl Jesus contrasts a very small beginning with a large result. The mustard seed is proverbially small (see Matt 17:20 bm).
Summary for Mark 4:33-34: 4:33-34 bn Mark’s summary of this section indicates that 4:3-32 bo is a collection of parables, not a chronological description of Jesus’ teaching on a specific day.
• Jesus’ private explanation of the parables to the disciples shows that they were not outsiders, even though they sometimes lacked understanding (cp. 4:13 bp).
Summary for Mark 4:35-5:43: 4:35–5:43 bq The three miracle stories in this section are connected by a shared location (the Sea of Galilee), the presence of the disciples, the use of a boat, and a common theme, Who is this man? (4:41 br).
Summary for Mark 4:35-41: 4:35-41 bs This passage focuses on the greatness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus’ authority over natural forces demonstrated his divinity.
• the other side: The eastern side of the Sea of Galilee was the region of the Gerasenes (5:1 bt).
• The fact that other boats followed shows Jesus’ fame.
4:38 bu Jesus was probably asleep under the stern, using a bag of ballast sand as a pillow. In 1986, a boat dating from Jesus’ time was discovered in the mud near the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is 26½ feet long, 7½ feet wide, and 4½ feet deep, with an elevated stern. It could hold up to fifteen people.
Summary for Mark 4:39-40: 4:39-40 bv The disciples still lacked faith in Jesus (4:41 bw), despite their numerous opportunities to experience his power and authority (1:21-34 bx, 40-45 by; 2:1-12 bz; 3:1-5 ca).
4:41 cb The disciples were absolutely terrified—a frequent response to Jesus in Mark (5:15 cc, 33 cd; 6:50 ce; 9:32 cf; 10:32 cg; 11:18 ch; 16:8 ci).
• Who is this man? Readers already know that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God (1:1 cj, 11 ck, 24 cl; 3:11 cm).
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