MARK 4:10-20

MARK 4:10-20

MARK 4:10-20 - He at once expounded it to them, assuring them that the message He had to proclaim was not to be hidden from them unto whom it was given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; although to those who were content to remain in ignorance He would teach in parables without explaining their meaning, in order that they might go on in their self-chosen path of blindness and indifference to spiritual verities. If they had no desire for instruction they were to be left in ignorance. This was the righteous judgment of God upon those who refuse to turn to Him and so find forgiveness of sins. 

By the expression, “The mysteries of the kingdom of God,” we are to understand the secrets concerning the coming days when the rejected King would return to heaven, but as the principles of His kingdom were diffused through the world there would be developed in the earth a system where Christ would be recognized as the rightful King, and His Word acknowledged as the rule of the kingdom. This is the sphere of profession commonly called Christendom, which means, literally, Christ’s kingdom. In it are found those who are real and unreal, who profess subjection to His authority, whether truly born of God or not.

He explains the parable by saying that the seed referred to is the Word—the truth He came to proclaim. The wayside hearers are those who are utterly without exercise as to spiritual things. They hear the Word with the outward ear but are so under the control of Satan that he takes away all consideration for the seed sown in their hearts. The stony ground hearers seem at first to give evidence of real conviction but, like Bunyan’s Mr. Pliable, they are easily persuaded to make a Christian profession and just as easily turned from it when difficulties arise. They are stumbled because they have no root in themselves.

The thorny ground hearers apparently receive the Word even with joy, but the quest for wealth and the desire for worldly advantage choke the Word so that it becomes unfruitful.

  The good ground hearers are such as not only hear the Word but also receive it in faith in their hearts; and these bring forth fruit unto God, thus manifesting the reality of their confession. It is true that all do not produce to the same degree; but all bear fruit to some extent: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. 

   In considering the work of preaching the gospel we must take into account God’s blessed purpose of grace and the condition of the hearts of men to whom the message comes. To some it is a matter of no moment. They are indifferent to it from the first and never become concerned. Some are interested for a time. Their emotions are stirred, but there is no depth of exercise. Others, again, have a measure of concern, but they are men of double mind. They would like to make the best of both worlds, and so they never give eternal things their proper place. Others, prepared by the Spirit’s convicting work, are eager to know the way of life, and so receive with “meekness the engrafted Word” (James 1:21) and bring forth fruit unto God.