Mark 4 – The Parables of the Kingdom
Mark 4 presents Jesus’ parables revealing deep spiritual truths about the Kingdom of God. Through the parable of the sower, the mustard seed, and the calming of the storm, Jesus teaches about faith, growth, and trust in Him amid life’s challenges.
The Mystery of the Kingdom Revealed
Jesus shifts His teaching style, using parables to conceal truth from the hard-hearted yet reveal wisdom to those with faith.
✔ The Parable of the Sower illustrates different responses to God’s Word.
✔ The Kingdom grows in ways unseen, like a mustard seed.
✔ Jesus’ authority over nature is revealed in the calming of the storm.
✔ Faith is required to understand and walk in God’s Kingdom.
📖 Key Verse: “And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” – Mark 4:9
🔎 Jesus’ parables teach that the Kingdom is both present and growing, but not all will receive it.
Mark Chapter 4 - Overview
Mark 4:1-20 – The Parable of the Sower
📖 Mark 4:3-4 – “Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side…”
🔎 The seed represents God’s Word, but not all hearts are prepared to receive it.
📖 Mark 4:14-15 – “The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately.”
🔎 Satan actively works to steal the truth before it takes root.
📖 Mark 4:16-17 – “These are they likewise which are sown on stony ground… when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.”
🔎 Shallow faith cannot endure trials—true faith must be deeply rooted.
📖 Mark 4:20 – “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit.”
🔎 The faithful produce a harvest—living proof of the Kingdom’s power.
Mark 4:21-25 – The Lamp Under a Basket
📖 Mark 4:22 – “For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested.”
🔎 Truth will always be revealed—God’s Word cannot be suppressed.
📖 Mark 4:24-25 – “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you.”
🔎 Those who listen and seek will be given greater understanding.
Mark 4:26-34 – The Kingdom Parables
📖 Mark 4:26-29 – “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground.”
🔎 Spiritual growth is often unseen, but God is working.
📖 Mark 4:30-32 – “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth.”
🔎 God’s Kingdom starts small but grows into something mighty.
📖 Mark 4:34 – “But without a parable spake he not unto them.”
🔎 Jesus used parables to separate those with true spiritual hunger from the hardened-hearted.
Mark 4:35-41 – Jesus Calms the Storm
📖 Mark 4:37 – “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship.”
🔎 Even those closest to Jesus face storms—faith is tested in trials.
📖 Mark 4:39 – “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.”
🔎 Jesus has authority over nature—He commands, and creation obeys.
📖 Mark 4:40 – “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”
🔎 Fear and faith cannot coexist—trust in Jesus calms the storms of life.
Mark Chapter 4 - Deeper Study
Overview: Lessons from the Parables & Storm
🔹 Timeframe: Jesus continues teaching near the Sea of Galilee.
🔹 Setting: Public teaching to crowds, private teaching to disciples.
🔹 Theme: Understanding, faith, and trust in God’s unseen work.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Faith must be rooted deeply to withstand trials.
🔑 The Kingdom of God grows in ways we don’t always see.
🔑 Jesus is in control, even in life’s storms.
🔑 Those who seek truth will receive greater understanding.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 The Seed of the Kingdom – Fulfillment of Isaiah 55:10-11, where God’s Word always accomplishes His purpose.
🔮 Jesus’ Authority Over Nature – Foreshadows Psalm 107:29, where God calms the sea.
🔮 Mustard Seed as a Picture of the Gospel – Reflects Daniel 2:35, where God’s kingdom grows to fill the earth.
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Why Parables? – Parables were common Jewish teaching tools, but Jesus used them to reveal deep spiritual truths only to the faithful.
📜 Fishermen & Storms – The Sea of Galilee was known for sudden, violent storms, making Jesus’ miracle even more astounding.
📜 Mustard Seed in Jewish Thought – Though small, the mustard seed was recognized as a symbol of great growth and potential.
💡 Final Reflection: Do We Truly Hear?
Mark 4 challenges us to ask: Are we truly listening to Jesus, or just hearing words?
📌 Do we allow God’s Word to take deep root in our lives?
📌 Are we trusting in God’s unseen work, even when we don’t understand?
📌 When storms arise, do we respond in fear or faith?
🚀 Jesus speaks—do we have ears to hear?
The Parable of the Sower
Mar 4:1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
Mar 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Mar 4:3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
Mar 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
Mar 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
Mar 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
Mar 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
Mar 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
Mar 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The Purpose of the Parables
Mar 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mar 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Mar 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Mar 4:14 The sower soweth the word.
Mar 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
Mar 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
Mar 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mar 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
A Lamp Under a Basket
Mar 4:21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
Mar 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
Mar 4:23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Mar 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Mar 4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
The Parable of the Seed Growing
Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mar 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
Mar 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
Mar 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Mar 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mar 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Mar 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Mar 4:33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
Mar 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Jesus Calms a Storm
Mar 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
Mar 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
Mar 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mar 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mar 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Date Written
Around 55-65 A.D.
Written By
John Mark
Language
Greek
Verses
41