Mark 4:1-20 ESV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:16

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground ,.... Such sort of hearers of the word are signified by the stony ground, on which the seed were sown, who are constant hearers of the word, and have some understanding of it, and some sort of affection for it, and yet their hearts are not truly broken by it; they are not brought to a thorough sight and sense of sin, and of their need of Christ, and salvation by him; their stony hearts are not taken away, and hearts of flesh given... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:17

And have no root in themselves ,.... The word has no root in their hearts, only in their natural affections: nor is the root of grace in them; there is no heart work, only speculative notions, and flashy affections: and so endure but for a time : they continue hearers and professors of the Gospel but for a small season; like the Jews, who rejoiced in the ministry of John the Baptist for a while, and then left him: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:18

And these are they that are sown among thorns ,.... Such hearers of the word are designed by the thorny ground, upon which other seed fell, as it was sown, who are of worldly dispositions; who are immoderately careful and anxious about the things of this life, and are bent upon acquiring earthly riches, and gratifying their carnal and sensual appetites: such as hear the word ; who notwithstanding are prevailed upon through custom, or the dictates of their consciences, to attend upon the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:19

And the cares of this world ,.... The perplexing and distressing cares of it to get as much of it as they can, for themselves and families, fill their minds, and possess their souls even when and while they are hearing the word: and the deceitfulness of riches; or riches which are deceitful, especially when trusted in, and being obtained, they do not give the satisfaction they promise: and the lusts of other things entering in: carnal desires after other objects, which are pleasing to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:20

And these are they which are sown on good ground ,.... Such hearers who are intended by the good ground on which other seed fell, are those who are made good men by the grace of God; for there is none good naturally, nor that doeth good, no not one; these are such who hear the word, and receive it ; as the word of God, in whose hearts it works effectually; who receive it not into their heads only, but into their hearts; and having received it, hold it fast, and abide by it in the worst... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:2

He taught them many things by parables - See every part of this parable of the sower explained on Matthew 13:1 ; (note), etc. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:4

The fowls - Του ουρανου , of the air, is the common reading; but it should be omitted, on the authority of nine uncial MSS., upwards of one hundred others, and almost all the versions. Bengel and Griesbach have left it out of the text. It seems to have been inserted in Mark, from Luke 8:5 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:9

And he said - He that hath ears to hear, let him hear - The Codex Bezae, later Syriac in the margin, and seven copies of the Itala, add, και ὁ συνιων συνιετω , and whoso understandeth, let him understand. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:10

They that were about him - None of the other evangelists intimate that there were any besides the twelve with him: but it appears there were several others present; and though they were not styled disciples, yet they appear to have seriously attended to his public and private instructions. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:11

Unto you it is given to know - Γνωναι , to know, is omitted by ABKL, ten others, the Coptic, and one of the Itala. The omission of this word makes a material alteration in the sense; for without it the passage may be read thus: - To you the mystery of the kingdom of God is given; but all these things are transacted in parables to those without. Griesbach leaves it doubtful. And Professor White says, probabiliter delendum . I should be inclined to omit it, were it not found in the... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:11

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