Mark 5:1-20

Mark 5:1-20

(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds – March 29, 2012)





We are looking at the third major section of Mark’s Gospel is from 3:7 – 6:6a.  In this section we have a summary Jesus’ later ministry in the area of Galilee.  In this larger section are six major movements:

1.      An introductory summary of Jesus’ Galilean ministry (3:7-12)

2.      The choosing of the twelve (3:13-19)

3.      Scandalous accusations from His own family and from the scribes from Jerusalem (3:20-35)

4.      Parables about the Kingdom of God (4:1-34)

5.      A series of miracles demonstrating His power (4:35-5:43)

a.       Calming the sea (4:35-41) – Power over nature

b.      Freeing a man from demons (5:1-20) – Power over the spiritual realm

c.       Raising of Jairus’ daughter (5:21-24, 35-43) – Power over death

d.      Healing of a woman with hemorrhage (5:25-34) – Power over disease

6.      Rejection by the people of His hometown of Nazareth (6:1-6a)

In this study we are going to focus on the --- miracle in the fifth movement in this section of Mark.



Mark 5:1-20



Verse 1 – “…the country of the Gerasenes…” - This is the northeast corner of the Sea of Galilee, called Decapolis. This area was mostly Gentile and very Hellenistic. The Synoptic Gospels vary on the spelling: Gerasa Luke 8:26), Gergesa , Gergusta , or Gadara (Matt. 8:28). All of these were towns in this area.[1]



Verse 2 – “And when He had come out of the boat…” - Maybe the disciples heard the screaming (v. 5) and were glad to let Jesus go first![2]



“a man from the tombs” - Matthew informs us that two demonized men met Jesus (8:28), but Mark and Luke focused on the one man who was the more vocal…[3] 



Verse 3 – “…had his dwelling among the tombs…” - These were probably cave-like rooms cut into the rocks of nearby hills which served as tombs and sometimes as haunts for demented people.[4]

Verse 4 – “…no one was strong enough to subdue him…” – The word translated “subdue” was used to describe the taming of wild animals.  This man was out of control and no-one could control him!



Verse 5 – “…crying out and gashing himself with stones…” - This behavior may be linked to expressions of self-destruction or to OT pagan worship practices (cf. I Kgs. 18:28). The graphic information about this man’s regular behavior must have come from the villagers.[5]



Verse 6 – “…he ran up and bowed down before Him…” - The first term implies hostility. The second implies respect and acknowledgment of Jesus’ position and authority (cf. v. 4b).[6]



Verse 7 - Three things indicate that the demon possessing the man was fully aware of Jesus’ divine origin and superior power: he knelt before Him (in homage, not worship); he used Jesus’ divine name in an attempt to gain control over Him (cf. 1:24); and he brazenly appealed to Jesus not to punish him. The words, Most High God, were used in the Old Testament, often by Gentiles, to refer to the superiority of the true God of Israel…[7]



Verse 8 – A parenthetical statement inserted by Mark to explain the man’s question in verse 7.



Verse 9 – The demon used Jesus name in verse 7 and now Jesus demands the demon to reveal his name. 



“Legion” - In the Roman Army 6,000 troops made up a Legion. This is another of the many Latin terms used in Mark. This may have been a metaphor of the degree of their control over the man. However, because of v. 13, which describes the demons causing the death of 2,000 hogs, it may be literal.[8]



Verse 10 – “…out of the country…” - This could refer to (1) the area of the tombs; (2) the Decapolis district; or (3) possibly to the Abyss…[9]



Verses 11-13 - Some people have criticized Jesus for destroying 2,000 pigs, but their accusations are foolish. Jesus could have sent the demons anywhere; but when He chose to send them into the pigs, He accomplished several purposes.

First, He demonstrated that the demons were real and that the deliverance was genuine. Second, He gave vivid proof that Satan is a destroyer (Rev. 9:11; John 10:10) and that, to Satan, a pig is as good as a man! If you surrender your life to Satan and sin, you end up living and dying like an animal. What a warning this was to those who saw it; but apparently they did not take it to heart, for they asked Jesus to depart from them. As the Creator, Jesus owns all things (Ps. 50:10) and can dispose of them as He sees fit. Finally, the destruction of the pigs revealed the spiritual condition of the people of that district: they would rather have their swine than have the Savior! Money was more important than the healing of the two men or the salvation of their own souls.[10]



The great danger we face in dealing with this story, which by the way appears in three of the four gospels, is that we'll get so caught up in issue of demon possession and the spectacular thing Jesus did in casting the demons into the heard of swine that we miss the practical lessons which are here... it seems to me the over‑arching theme of this story is what happens when a person is touched by Jesus...and with that in mind, want to  share with you from vv.15-20 three practical truths about what happens to us when we are touched by Jesus...



I. When we are touched by Jesus, our lives will begin to change

1.   Can't think of  person in Bible who came into presence Jesus, took  seriously what Jesus had to say, and went away from  encounter unchanged...just doesn't happen that way...when  make serious commitment our lives to Lord, change  sure to follow...

2.   Changes in this man were dramatic and obvious...verse 16 summarizes the changes...says he was "sitting down, clothed, and in his right mind..."

--before met Jesus running wild among tombs/after sitting down at Lord's feet...

--before met Jesus, according Luke's account of  event, refused wear clothes/after was fully clothed...

--before met Jesus obviously out of his mind and out of control of his life/after was in his right mind...

3.   Obviously, the Lord caused some radical changes occur in his life...



1.   How is God changing you? What is God doing in your life?...(not what are you  doing for God?...can wear selves out attempting do  things for God and in process be out of touch with  Him!)..but what changes are taking place as result God being at work in you?...change experienced by this man was sudden and dramatic...doesn't always happen that way...as matter of fact, not even the norm...normally, God does His work in us in subtle and gradual ways...but for those who know Him...for those who seek His face...for those who are committed to Him, the change is taking place...

2.   Scripture teaches in Romans 8 that God's will for every Christian is that we be conformed to image of Christ...that we become more like Jesus...that's the main work of God in our lives...making us more like Him...and it's God's desire to be at work in us, often in subtly and occasionally in dramatically,  doing just that...



II.  When we are touched by Jesus, we'll have desire to live in close relationship with Him

1.   Notice strong contrast in vv.17‑18 between how people from the town felt about Jesus and how man Jesus had touched felt about Him...people were  frightened...wanted nothing do with Him...begged Him to leave...in effect said, "Disturbing our lives...go  away and leave us alone.."...v.17 one of saddest in Bible.."And they began to entreat Him to depart..."...imagine that!...the only one who could give life...make life complete they were casting out!...

2.   But notice how the man who had had the demons responded...v.18 "...was entreating Him that he might accompany [be  with] Him..."...think about it, amazing statement...by all indication had never heard of or seen Jesus until that moment...no idea where come from/going...but knew had  changed his life forever and wanted be with Him...

3.   That's what happens when we're genuinely touched by Jesus...we'll just want  to be closer to Him...



1.   Which more like?...people who begged Him leave or man  begged allow go with?...of course, all would immediately say, "Have same desire that man had...desire live  close Jesus...never push Him out life..."

2.   But if that true, doesn't make sense to place self in  position where most likely meet Him...for example, if  desire be close to Jesus won't we‑‑

‑‑    make reading, studying, and allowing Holy Spirit apply to our lives truths of Bible a priority in  our lives...after‑all, this written Word tells us  about living Word...this is our best source of  information about Him.. if desire know/live close  Him, won't neglect word...

-          make prayer a priority in our lives...how can claim  desire be close to Him if don't talk to and listen  to Him?...prayer basic means communication with  Jesus....if desire be close won't neglect prayer  life...

-          make fellowship with His people a priority  in our lives...has told us where His people gather,  there He is...if want be close to Him, must be close  His people...



1.   Can imagine young man/woman saying to bride/husband  to be, "I love you but I don't want to be near you"...or parents saying to children, "We love you but we  don't want you around us..."...that's absurd...but no more absurd than Christian saying by his/her actions,  "Lord, we love you but leave us alone and we'll call  when we need something..."

2.   If we've been touched by Jesus, we'll have deep desire live  in closer and closer fellowship with Him...



III.  When we are touched by Jesus, we'll be characterized by radical obedience to Him

1.   Lord's response to this man's request little surprising...often invited people "Follow Me"...but in this case  said "No...go home and tell them what has happened.."

2.   Difficult command...knew him...chained him...would question validity..."Here comes that crazy man...wonder  what up to now..."

3.   But notice response in v.20..."And he went..."..no complaining... arguing...negotiating...just did it!..



1.      That's the most fundamental test of whether or not  person has really been touched by Jesus...of whether or not living in relationship with Him...it actually boils down to rather simple question, but question which has great implications for our lives...Are we doing the  things God wants us to do?...Are we being obedient to Him?





[1] Utley, R. J. D. (2001). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (62). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[2] Utley, R. J. D. (2001). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (62). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (114). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[4] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Mk 5:2–5). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Utley, R. J. D. (2001). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (63). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[6] Utley, R. J. D. (2001). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (63). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[7] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Mk 5:6–7). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Utley, R. J. D. (2001). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (63). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[9] Utley, R. J. D. (2001). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (63). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[10] Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (114–115). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

Mark 4:35-41

Mark 4:35-41

(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds – March 22, 2012)



We are looking at the third major section of Mark’s Gospel is from 3:7 – 6:6a.  In this section we have a summary Jesus’ later ministry in the area of Galilee.  In this larger section are six major movements:

1.      An introductory summary of Jesus’ Galilean ministry (3:7-12)

2.      The choosing of the twelve (3:13-19)

3.      Scandalous accusations from His own family and from the scribes from Jerusalem (3:20-35)

4.      Parables about the Kingdom of God (4:1-34)

5.      A series of miracles demonstrating His power (4:35-5:43)

a.       Calming the sea (4:35-41)

b.      Freeing a man from demons (5:1-20)

c.       Raising of Jairus’ daughter (5:21-24, 35-43)

d.      Healing of a woman with hemorrhage (5:25-34)

6.      Rejection by the people of His hometown of Nazareth (6:1-6a)

In this study we are going to focus on the first miracle in the fifth movement in this section of Mark.



Mark 4:35-41

1.   The Sea of Galilee, a rather small fresh water lake in northern Israel also known in the Scripture as the or the Sea of Tiberias or the Lake of Gennesaret, is one of the most unique bodies of water in all the world...it is relatively small, only about 8 miles from east to west and 14 miles from south to north...there are many lakes in Texas which cover more area...

2.   But the unusual thing about this body of water is that it sits 628 feet below sea level...all around the Sea of Galilee, and especially on the east side, are mountains with deep ravines...sometimes when the warm air from the lake begins to rise, these ravines can serve as funnels to channel cooler wind down to the lake...when conditions are just right, the cooler wind from the upper atmosphere races down the ravines smashing into the Sea of Galilee with tremendous force...when that happens the surface of the water becomes a raging mass of gigantic waves...such wind storms can occur even on a perfectly clear day without any notice whatsoever...

3.   Today, in journey through Mark's Gospel have come to passage which describes time when Jesus and His disciples were caught in such a storm on the Sea of Galilee...the storm was so intense that in the parallel passage in Matthew's Gospel, it is described with the Greek word "seismos" which means earthquake...it was as if the entire lake were being shaken...listen to what happened...(text - Mark 4:35-41)



T.S. - Since the earliest days of the church, Christians have attached great significance to this event...God's people have longed recognized there is much for us to learn from this story about weathering the storms of life...want to share with you some thoughts about weathering life's storms...



I.    To weather the storms of life must recognize that no-one is immune from them

1.   Majority of the disciples of Jesus were fisherman by trade...they had spent most of their lives fishing the Sea of Galilee...they knew the small lake like the back of their hands...they instinctively knew its idocyncricies...they were well aware of the possibility of a sudden, unexpected, unsignalled storm...and they shouldn't have been surprised by the storm in which they found themselves...

2.   But, I suspect they were...after all, weren't they crossing the lake at Jesus command?...v.35 says Jesus told them, "Let us go over to the other side."...wasn't this the same Jesus they had seen heal the man with a crippled hand in chapter 3 and the man who was paralyzed in chapter 2 and the man with leprosy in chapter 1?... He had power and knowledge like they had never seen in any person...surely He wouldn't suggest they cross the Sea of Galilee if a storm were coming...they must have reasoned that because they were obeying Jesus, nothing bad could  possibly happen to them...



1.   Not unlike people today who believe if right with God and if obedient to God nothing bad will ever happen in your life... many people have mistaken idea that the storms of life come only to those who are disobedient to God...while it's true that disobedience can and often does get us into trouble (story of Jonah in Bible is good example of that...Jonah ended up in a storm because he disobeyed God), it's also true that many of the storms which buffet us in this world have nothing to do with disobedience (story of Job is a good example of that…Job ended up in a storm due to no fault of his own)...must not fail to see the disciples were in the storm precisely because they had obeyed Jesus!

2.   Truth of matter is, whether you obey or disobey, you will face some storms in this world...come in many different forms...may be grief beyond description at death of loved one...may be failing health...may be broken relationships...may be loneliness or depression or financial crisis or family problems or any number of other things, but of one thing can be sure -- the storms will come...neither you nor I nor anyone else on face of this earth is exempt from them...

3.   And the starting point of weathering the storms of life is not having attitude "It can't happen to me"...it can and it will...



II.  To weather the storms of life we must recognize the great lessons of life are learned in them

1.      I'm not sure where heard it or how many times shared it with you...but there's little verse stuck in my mind that think of when walking with someone through adversity...says...

"I walked a mile with pleasure, she chattered all the way; but I was not the wiser for all she had to say.

I walked a mile with sorrow, never a word said she; but, oh, the things I learned that day when sorrow walked with me."

2.   There is an interesting phrase that some theologians use…it's the phrase "storm theology" [Hughes, Mark, v.1, p.115]...reference to the great theological truths we can learn in midst of life's storms if we're open to allowing God to teach us...Simon Peter, who was in the boat that day and who probably related this event to Mark, became one of the first proponents of storm theology...he wrote in I Peter that Christians should welcome the storms/trials of life precisely because of what God can teach us in them...

3.   And certainly in the midst of the storm that day on Sea of Galilee disciples learned some lasting lessons about the power of Jesus and the importance of faith...their understanding of Jesus grew as a result of being caught in that storm...



1.   There is a truth in that we must not miss...key to making it through the storms of life is not found in the question "Why?" as in "Why is this happening to me?  Why do I deserve such a thing in my life?"…often, actually more often than not, there is no acceptable answer to that question...the key to making it is in question "What?" as in "What can God teach me in this experience?  What should I learn from this?"...

2.   Without the storms, trials, stresses, sorrows, and even failures in life we would be, as one writer put it,"spiritual pygmies, unsufferably self-centered, proud, and empty people..." [Hughes, p.114]...just as the pressure of the earth crushing coal eventually transforms the coal into diamonds, so the pressures of life can make us into something better...

3.   That's why Ruth Graham, in her book Sitting by the Fire Laughing could write this prayer for herself:

      Dear God, let me soar in the face of the wind: up, up, like the lark -- so poised and so sure, through cold or the storm with wings to endure.  Let the silver rain wash all the dust from my wings.  Let me soar as He soars; let me sing as He sings; let it lift me...Let it buffet and drive me, but, God, let it lift.

4.   And one key to weathering the storms of life is allowing the storms to lift us to God...



III.    To weather the storms of life we must recognize God's caring presence during them

1.   The picture of Jesus sleeping soundly in stern of the boat in the midst of the raging storm is remarkable...there is obvious contrast here between His great faith and the disciples' great fear...it had been long and tiring day for Jesus...was so exhausted and had such great confidence in God that while boat was being tossed to and fro on the waves, while the sails were being ripped apart by the wind, and while water was pouring into the boat, Jesus continued sleeping peacefully...

2.   The disciples concluded from this that either He wasn't aware of their situation or that He didn't care what happened to them ...either way, they felt abandoned and alone...



1.   Easy conclusion for us reach in midst of storms of life...start to think no-one, not even God, cares about me...no-one can understand what I am going through...no-one knows what I am feeling...when get to thinking like that, this event can remind us God is not just God of the good days;  He's also God of the stormy days as well...

2.   In the book When All the Bridges Are Down is this beautiful statement about God's caring presence with us in times of adversity:

      ...thank you, too, God for being the God of darkness and gloom-filled days.

      In those burden-laden times when all the roads seem closed or useless, and under the weight I am tempted to seek an easy out.  Then I remember you, standing on the mount of your temptations, and I hear the voice telling you to cast yourself down.             And I know that you have tasted of my doubts and of my fears.

[When] I stand in the darkness of loneliness, feeling abandoned,rejected...glad for the darkness to hide my tears.   And I remember you, standing alone, looking down on the city you loved, weeping in rejection.  But your tears were not for yourself, but for those who had rejected you.  Remembering, I know you feel my lonely thoughts, my rejection and my darkness, and I am grateful.

      I am grateful, God, that it is ever you way to walk with [us], to enter our lives, and share our burdens.

      It is also your way to put a song in our hearts and laughter on our lips.  You made beauty and warmth and pleasure from the beginning of time, that you might bring us out of gloom to walk in joy with you.

      Even in darkness, you remain the God of sunlight.  Thank you, oh thank you, God.



1.   How can we weather the storms of life?  This event in the life and Jesus and His disciples gives us some help with just that question...instead of saying--

·         “It can’t happened to me” recognize that storms in some form or another will come to all of our lives...

·         “Why me?” Asked "What can God teach me in this experience?"

·         “Poor me”  remember a God who cares and understands is walking with us through the experience...

Mark 4:1-32

Mark 4:1-32

(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds – March 8, 2012)

We are looking at the third major section of Mark’s Gospel is from 3:7 – 6:6a.  In this section we have a summary Jesus’ later ministry in the area of Galilee.  In this larger section are six major movements:

1.      An introductory summary of Jesus’ Galilean ministry (3:7-12)

2.      The choosing of the twelve (3:13-19)

3.      Scandalous accusations from His own family and from the scribes from Jerusalem (3:20-35)

4.      Parables about the Kingdom of God (4:1-34)

5.      A series of miracles demonstrating His power (4:35-5:43)

6.      Rejection by the people of His hometown of Nazareth (6:1-6a)

In this study we are going to focus on the fourth movement in this section of Mark.

Introductory statement (verses 1-3)

Only two times in Mark’s Gospel is there a lengthy section of the sayings or teachings of Jesus.  One is in chapter 4 and the other in chapter 13.  In chapter 4 Mark gives us a selection of Jesus’ parables.  The statement in verse 2, “And He was teaching them many things in parables…” indicates that Mark selected from the many things Jesus taught the particular things highlighted in this chapter.

Mark introduced the word “parable” in 3:23 and used it seven times in this chapter (4:2, 10–11, 13, 33–34). The word means “to throw alongside.” Jesus used familiar images to help explain the spiritual truths in His message about “the kingdom” (vv. 11, 26, 30). He used this approach so that He could arouse the careless and instruct the concerned, and yet conceal the truth from His enemies who would use it against Him (vv. 10–12).[1]  For those who choose to believe, parables force them to think and to see new truths.  For those who refuse to believe, parables obscure truth.

 Notice this chapter begins with the phrase “And He began to teach again by the sea.”  There were probably two reasons for this.  First, because of the growing hostility of the religious leaders, especially the scribes who had come from Jerusalem to observe Him, He stopped teaching in the synagogues.  Second, the crowds around Him had become much too large for the relatively small space in the synagogues.

 The parable of the sower and soils (verses 3-20) – It is important to follow the sequence of these verses.

·         Verses 3-9 contain the parable

·         Verses 10-11 contain an explanation of why Jesus taught in parables. 

·         Verses 12-20 contain an explanation of the parable



VERSES 3-9 – The parable

4:3 “ ‘Listen to this’ ” This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. Remember, parables were given orally. The rabbis would teach, then summarize, then illustrate. Jesus follows this pattern (cf. William L. Blevins’ Birth of a New Testament, pp.1–13).

“sower” This was a very common sight in Galilee. This parable makes so much sense when one realizes how these village farmers plowed all of the ground around their villages. These farrows were across paths, weeds, etc. Then they sowed the entire field by hand. Jesus used this common practice to illustrate spiritual receptivity (i.e. four kinds of soils).

4:4 “beside the road” This refers to the public footpaths through the collective fields of the villages. When these fields were plowed the trails disappeared briefly but they quickly reappeared with use.

4:5 “rocky ground” This referred to a rocky formation, under just a few inches of soil, not loose rocks in the field. The shallowness of the soil was not obvious to the viewer.

4:7 “among the thorns” This referred to the well-established thorn patches that were also not visible after plowing.

4:8 “yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold” Different types of soil and location allowed different amounts of fruit. There are several manuscript variants related to the preposition en. However, the variety of Greek manuscript variations really does not change the meaning of the text. Probably all three should be en, which would follow an Aramaic influence.

4:9, 23 “ ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear’ ” This is a Semitic idiom. It shows the need for careful thought and personal application (cf. Matt. 11:15; 13:9, 43; Luke 8:8; 14:35; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9). This probably reflects the Hebrew prayer, the Shema (cf. Deut. 6:4), which meant “to hear so as to do.” Hearing must result in action (cf. James 2:14–26).[2]



VERSES 10-12 – An explanation of why Jesus taught in parables. 

4:10  The change of scene here is significant. Verses 10-20 occurred later but Mark put them here to illustrate the principle stated in Mark 4:11, 33-34, and thereby show the importance of parables.



4:11-12 These verses must be viewed in the context of unbelief and hostility (cf. 3:6, 21-22, 30). To those who believed, to you (emphatic first position in Gr.), the disciples, God had given the secret [mystery] of the kingdom of God (cf. 1:15). But to those on the outside (of the circle of disciples, the unbelieving crowd) everything, His whole message and mission, was stated in parables. The word “parables” here has the special sense of “enigmatic speech.” The crowd did not really understand Jesus.[3]

Both groups were confronted by Jesus and His message (cf. 1:14-15). God enabled the disciples to see in Him the “secret” (mystērion) about the kingdom. This refers to the disclosure of God’s present kingdom plan which is to be an Age of “seed-sowing” (cf. 4:13-20; 13:10). It was previously hidden to the prophets, but now was revealed to people of His choice (cf. Rom. 16:25-26).

The basic “secret,” common to all the kingdom parables, is that in Jesus, God’s rule (kingdom) has come into human experience in a new spiritual form. The disciples had believed in Jesus. God had already given (dedotai, perf. pass.) them this “secret,” though so far they understood little of its full impact.

On the other hand those blinded by unbelief saw in Jesus nothing but a threat to their existence. They rejected Him and did not come to know the “secret” of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ parables served to conceal its truths from them.

They were like the Israelites in Isaiah’s day (Isa. 6:9-10). Isaiah said that this spiritual blindness and deafness that comes to people is God’s judgment. [4]



VERSES 13-20 – Explanation of the parable is simple because Jesus interprets the parable for us.



“sower” – Represents Jesus and all who sow (proclaim) the good news of Jesus



“seed”Described as “the word” in v.14, meaning the word or message of God.  Matthew says it is “…the word of the kingdom…”



Four responses to the message of God are revealed in this story.  Some refer to this not as the parable of the sower but the parable of the hearers because the story is about ways people respond to the message of God.  It is interesting to note that three out the four responses described are negative.  That’s a reminder that not everyone, not even a majority of people, are going to respond to the gospel.



·         “…beside the road…” – Those who hear and reject the word.  They are closed to God’s word and vulnerable to the evil influence of Satan.

·         “...on rocky ground…” – Those who hear and accept in superficial way.  At the first sign of difficulty or disappointment, they fall away revealing the shallowness of their belief.

·         “…among thorns…” – Those who hear but are too preoccupied with this world to think of the next world. 

·         “…good soil…” – Those who hear the word, accept it, allow it to take root in their lives, and bear fruit by sharing the word with others….



In our journey through Mark we have already seen these four responses to Jesus:

·         The religious leaders heard and rejected Jesus

·         The multitudes that followed after Him were superficial, looking for a miracle from Him

·         His family members were overly concerned about this world

·         The disciples responded with genuine belief





The parable of the lamp (verses 21-24)



VERSE 21 - There are many ways to interpret the little parable about the lamp in v.21...

·         Some interpreters say lamp represents Jesus who is the light of the world and whose identity was becoming known [Hurtado, New International Biblical Commentary]...

·         Others say lamp represents the witness of the disciples who were to bear witness to Jesus [Wiersbe]...

·         Still others say the lamp represents truth in general which must be proclaimed [Barclay]…



VERSE 22 - At first reading may appear to be threatening statement...you know, "You'd better watch out or the Big Policeman in the sky will get you!"...but that's not at all the intent of these words...in Matthew's Gospel Jesus prefaces this statement by saying, "Do not fear..."[Matt.10:26]...not meant to be negative motivator but a positive one...in effect saying, "Don't forget that God is with you.  He sees everything you do.  Live your life publicly and privately in full awareness of that."



VERSES 24-25It is important not to misinterpret what Jesus is saying hear...this is not a get rich quick scheme as some of the prosperity preachers on television or radio would have you believe...you've heard their pitch..."The more money you give (preferably to their ministries) the more God will give back to you."...don't think Lord is talking here about material things... instead, He's laying down a basic principle of human relationships...and principle is that generally, not in every particular instance, but generally people will treat us like we treat them...want you hear what William Barclay says about this verse... think his is an astute observation:  "One of the great facts of life is that we see our own reflection in other people.  If we are cross and irritable and bad-tempered, we will find other people equally unpleasant.  If we are critical and fault-finding, the chances are that we will find other people the same.  If we are suspicious and distrustful, the likelihood is that others will be so to us.  If we wish others to love us, we must first love them.  The [person] who would have friends must show himself friendly." [Barclay, p.102]



These verses remind us that as we let the light of Jesus shine through our lives, God is pleased and others are blessed.



Two parables about the kingdom of God (verses 26-34) - In the teachings of Jesus, the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven (and I think those terms are used to mean same thing) plays central role...there are more than 100 references to kingdom or kingdom of God or heaven in the teachings of Jesus...the kingdom of God is not an outward political, military kingdom, even though that's kind of kingdom people in first century world were expecting the Messiah to establish...nor is the kingdom of God the church, even though the true church is made up of people who are participants in the kingdom of God...in the Scripture, the kingdom of God/heaven is an intensely personal thing...means the reign or rule of God in the lives of people...Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done" and those phrases mean the same thing...the kingdom of God is the will of God being done in our lives...with that in mind, look at what Jesus said about the kingdom in Mark 4:26-34…want to point out three basic truths about the kingdom of God from these verses…



1.   We cannot earn our way into God's Kingdom

1.   Think that is basic point of the little parable of the seed in vv.26-29...the analogy in the parable is fairly simple...though a person can plant a seed, that person certainly can't make a seed grow...as matter of fact Jesus said the person can't even explain how it grows...however, the seed does grow and eventually the crop is harvested...the person who enjoys the fruit of the harvest did not produce the fruit...he/she is merely the recipient of the fruit...

2.   This parable is not comparing the kingdom of God with the man who sows seed or the seed or the harvest or the sickle...the comparison is between the kingdom of God and the entire process of a seed falling to the ground, germinating, sprouting, growing, and producing fruit....and basic idea is that we can no more earn our way into God's kingdom than we can make fruit come from a seed...that is not something we can do or produced...however, it is something we can receive and enjoy...

2.   God's kingdom will accomplish its intended purpose

1.   People in 1st century world, as people in our world very much impressed by size...they often equated bigness with power and success and influence...consequently, when they thought of the kingdom of God, they thought in terms of God breaking into human history in a dramatic way...they felt God would come with awesome power, swift results, wicked would be struck down, and righteous would be vindicated...

2.   Was extremely difficult for the early disciples to reconcile their preconceived ideas about what would happen when the Messiah would come and establish God's kingdom and what happened in the coming of Jesus...after all--

--God did not reveal himself in overwhelming power; He came to our world as a baby!

--Jesus did not talk about military conquest; He talked about love, forgiveness, and servanthood!

--The masses of people in 1st century world and the influential religious leaders were not rallying around Him; His followers consisted mainly of people labelled as sinners and outcasts...certainly weren't the beautiful people of the 1st century!

--The power structures of the Jewish nation (not to mention the Roman Empire) were apparently left unchanged by His coming...

3.   In light of all that early disciples needed word of encouragement about the future of this new kingdom...could it really survive?...was there anyway for it to accomplish its purpose?...was it worth committing their lives to?...and the parable of the mustard seed in vv.30-32 was intended to answer such questions...just because something has small, inauspicious beginning does not mean it is insignificant...one would hardly guess the potential of a mustard seed by looking at its size...from that tiny seed can come a large plant reaching a height of 8 to 10 feet...the plant was so big the birds would use it as a tree...

4.   And point Jesus was making is that even though God chose for His kingdom break into history in quiet way, through life of an obscure Galilean, in insignificant place far from the power centers of the world, the kingdom would grow and would no doubt accomplish its intended purpose...

3.   The Kingdom of God is open to all people

1.   The statement at end of v.32 about birds nesting under the shade of the mustard plant is interesting...one commentator points out birds are fond of little black seeds produced by mustard plant...not uncommon see cloud of birds hovering around and even nesting in such a plant...but more to statement than that...

2.   The phrase "...the birds of the air can nest under its shade" is a quote from several OT passages...in OT great empires were often described as tree...and the nations which were part of a great empire were described as birds nesting in a tree...in using this particular analogy, Jesus was saying that just as great empires are made up of many different nations, so the Kingdom of God would be made up of many different kinds of people...



[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (112). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[2] Utley, R. J. D. (2001). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (53–54). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[3] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Mk 4:10–12). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Mk 4:11–12). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.