Mark 4:30

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? For the exposition of this Portion, see the notes at Matthew 13:31....

21-34 These declarations were intended to call the attention of the disciples to the word of Christ. By his thus instructing them, they were made able to instruct others; as candles are lighted, not to be covered, but to be placed on a candlestick, that they may give light to a room. This parable of the good seed, shows the manner in which the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. Let but the word of Christ have the place it ought to have in a soul, and it will show itself in a good conversation. It grows gradually: first the blade; then the ear; after that the full corn in the ear. When it is sprung up, it will go forward. The work of grace in the soul is, at first, but the day of small things; yet it has mighty products even now, while it is in its growth; but what will there be when it is perfected in heaven!...

Verse 30. _WHEREUNTO SHALL WE LIKEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD?_] How amiable is this carefulness of Jesus! How instructive to the preachers of his word! He is not solicitous to seek _fine turns_ of eloquence to charm the minds of his auditors, nor to draw such _descriptions_ and _comparisons_ as may surprise them: but studies only to _make himself understood_; to instruct to advantage; to give true ideas of _faith_ and _holiness_; and to find out such expressions as may render necessary truths _easy_ and _intelligible_ to the meanest capacities. The very wisdom of God seems to be at a loss to find out expressions _low_ enough for the _slow_ apprehensions of men. How _dull_ and _stupid_ is the creature! How _wise_ and _good_ the Creator! And how _foolish_ the preacher who uses _fine_ and _hard_ words in his preaching, which, though admired by the _shallow_, convey no instruction to...

WHEREUNTO SHALL WE LIKEN ... - This shows the great solicitude which Jesus had to adapt his instructions to the capacity of his disciples. He sought out the most plain and striking illustrations - an example which should be followed by all the ministers of the gospel. At the same time that the instructions of the pulpit should be dignified as our Saviour’s always were they should be adapted to the capacity of the audience and easily understood. To do this the following things are necessary in a minister: 1.“Humility.” A freedom from a desire to shine, and to astonish the world by the splendor of his talents, and by his learning and eloquence. * “Good sense.” A satisfaction in being understood. * Acquaintance with the habits of thought and manner of speaking among the people. To do this, frequent contact with them is necessary. * “A g

EXPOSITION MARK 4:1 AND AGAIN HE BEGAN TO TEACH BY THE SEASIDE. This return to the seaside is mentioned by St. Mark only. From this time our Lord's teaching began to be more public. The room and the little courtyard no longer sufficed for the multitudes that came to him. The Authorized Version says that "a great multitude was gathered unto him." The Greek adjective, according to the most approved reading, is πλεῖστος the superlative of πολὺς,_ _and should be rendered "a very great" multitude. They bad probably been waiting for him in the neighborhood of Capernaum. HE ENTERED INTO A BOAT—probably the boat mentioned at Mark 3:9—AND SAT IN THE SEA, _i.e. _in the boat afloat on the water, so

AND HE SAID,.... Still continuing his discourse on this subject, and in order to convey to the minds of his disciples clearer ideas of the Gospel dispensation, the success of the Gospel, and the usefulness of their ministration of it, for their encouragement, how unpromising soever things might then be: WHEREUNTO SHALL WE LIKEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, OR WITH WHAT COMPARISON SHALL WE COMPARE IT? It was usual with the Jewish doctors, when about to illustrate anything in a parabolical way to begin with such like questions; as, למה הדבר דומה, "to what is this thing like" d? when the answer is to such or such thing, as here. d T. Hieros. Bava Bathra, fol. 16. 2. T. Bab. Zebachim, fol. 82. 1. Sabbat, fol. 108. 1. passim....

CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Teaching by the Seaside. The Parable of the Sower. (Mark 4:1. Matthew 13:1; Luke 8:4 .)_ 2. The Word to shine forth in testimony. (Mark 4:21 .Luke 8:16 .) 3. The Parable of the Growth of the Seed and the Harvest. (Mark 4:26 .) 4. The Parable of the Mustard Seed. (Mark 4:30 .Matthew 13

The teaching in parables to the multitude is now resumed, and two further examples are given, those of the seed growing secretly and the mustard seed. The first is peculiar to Mk. Loisy interprets it thus: The kingdom of God is also a sowing whose inevitable growth is independent of men's will and even of the will of the sower. Like the labourer, Jesus sows the kingdom by preaching the gospel: it is not His work to bring the harvest, _i.e._ the complete coming of the kingdom, and one must not grow impatient if its coming does not follow at once: that is God's business.. It is none the less certain that the harvest will come without delay. This is the right line of interpretation; the emphasis falls, not on the gradual character of growth, but on its independence of human willing and desiring when once man has done his part. In the mustard-seed, attention is directed to the immense differ...

TEACHING IN PARABLES (Mark 4:1-2)...

COMPARISON. parable. SHALL WE. are we to....