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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 4:21-34

The lessons which our Saviour designs to teach us here by parables and figurative expressions are these:? I. That those who are good ought to consider the obligations they are under to do good; that is, as in the parable before, to bring forth fruit. God expects a grateful return of his gifts to us, and a useful improvement of his gifts in us; for (Mark 4:21), Isa. a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? No, but that it may be set on a candlestick. The apostles were... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 4:25

4:25 To him who already has still more will be given: and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This may seem a hard saying; but the whole lesson of life is that it is inevitably and profoundly true. (i) It is true of knowledge. The more a man knows the more he is capable of knowing. A man cannot enter into the riches of Greek literature before he has ploughed his way through Greek grammar. When he has the basic grammar still more will be given to him. A man cannot... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:25

For he that hath, to him shall be given ,.... He that has Gospel light and knowledge, and makes a proper use of it, he shall have more; his path shall be as the path of the just, which shines more and more to the perfect day; the means of grace and knowledge shall be blessed, to him, he attending constantly thereon, that he shall arrive to such a knowledge of the Son of God as to be a perfect man in comparison of others, who are in a lower class; and shall come to the measure of the stature... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:1-25

The duty of faithfully hearing the Word. H e who taught by every act of his life, and who had already given many most important lessons with his lips, now, after the interruptions just recorded, "began to teach" more formally. It was "by the seaside," the multitude standing "by the sea on the land," and he "entered into a boat, and sat in the sea." "He taught them many things in parables." The first of these and one of the chief of the parables and the chiefest of all on the subject of "... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:10-25

The lamp of parabolic teaching. Probably the opposition, malignity, and misrepresentation of the scribes and Pharisees were the occasion of the commencement by our Lord of a new style of public teaching. He did not wish at present to excite so much turmoil and violence as should lead to the interruption of his ministry. His design was to introduce into men's minds new ideas of the spiritual reign of God—ideas altogether in contradiction to their own carnal notions and hopes. He knew,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-25

The use of the spirit. I. THE FACULTIES OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT COMPARED TO LIGHT . We may take any division of them we please: intellectual, emotional, volitional; head, heart, hand;—the comparison holds good. 1 . Light is cheering, so is intellect; sound reasoning, bright fancy, lambent wit, genial humor, sound knowledge. 2 . With light goes heat. The sound head is generally associated with the large heart. Carlyle said that a great heart was the foundation of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-25

Parallel passage: Luke 8:16-18 .— Light and illumination. I. TEMPORARY OBSCURATION . The heathens in their mysteries had esoteric doctrines only made known to the initiated, and not designed to be revealed at any time to the uninitiated. The obscuration in their case was permanent. Our Lord, at a particular period of his ministry and for a special purpose, veiled his teaching in parable. But this obscuration was only meant to continue for a time. Our Lord guards against the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:24-25

"Measure for measure;" or, the law of equity in its relation to Divine knowledge. A wider law ( Matthew 7:2 ) with special application to spiritual learning. One of the phases of the exactitude of relation between God and man, which yet admits of grace and blessing. I. THE WORD OF GOD MUST BE RIGHTLY ATTENDED TO IN ORDER TO ITS BEING UNDERSTOOD . There is no process of mere mechanical transfer of truth into the nature of man. Experience and progress in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:25

For he that hath, to him shall be given . He that uses his gifts, whether of intellect or of goodness, bestowed upon him by God, to him shall be granted an increase of those gifts. But from him who uses them not, God will gradually take them away. Christ here encourages his apostles and disciples to diligent and earnest preaching of his gospel, by promising them in return yet greater influxes of his wisdom and grace. read more

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