Mark 4:34

But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. BUT WITHOUT A PARABLE SPAKE HE NOT UNTO THEM. See the note at . AND WHEN THEY WERE ALONE, HE EXPOUNDED ALL THINGS TO HIS DISCIPLES. See the note at . Remarks: (1) In the parable of the Sower, we have, an illustration of the principle that our Lord's parables illustrate only certain features a subject, and that though others may be added as accessory and subsidiary, no conclusions are to be drawn as to those features of the subject which are not in the parable at all. (See the note at , etc., 25:1, where, though the subject in both is a marriage, the Bride appe...

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 34. _HE EXPOUNDED ALL THINGS TO HIS DISCIPLES._] That they might be capable of instructing others. _Outside hearers_, those who do not come into _close fellowship_ with the true disciples of Christ, have seldom more than a _superficial_ knowledge of Divine things. In the _fellowship_ of the saints, where Jesus the _teacher_ is always to be found, every thing is made _plain_,-for the _secret_ of the Lord is with them who fear him....

WITHOUT A PARABLE SPAKE HE NOT UNTO THEM - That is, the things pertaining to his kingdom. On other subjects he spake without parables. On these, such was their prejudice, so many notions had they contrary to the nature of his kingdom, and so liable would plain instructions have been to give offence, that he employed this method to “insinuate” truth gradually into their minds, and to prepare them fully to understand the nature of his kingdom. THEY WERE ALONE - His disciples. HE EXPOUNDED - Explained. Showed them more at length the spiritual meaning of the parables....

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

BUT WITHOUT A PARABLE SPAKE HE NOT UNTO THEM,.... For the above reason, as well as for the accomplishment of Scripture; Matthew 13:34, Matthew 13:35. AND WHEN THEY WERE ALONE, HE EXPOUNDED ALL THINGS TO HIS DISCIPLES: after they returned with him from the sea side, to the house in Capernaum, where he usually was when there; see Matthew 13:36. The multitude being dismissed, he unfolded and explained all these parables to his disciples, and led them into a large knowledge of himself, and the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; whereby they were furnished for the work he had called them to, and designed them for....

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

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

EXPOUNDED. kept expounding. Compare Luke 24:27 and 2 Peter 1:20....

The Parable of the Mustard Seed 30. _Whereunto shall we liken_ This method of asking a question before beginning a discourse was not unknown to the Rabbis. See the parallel in Luke 13:18....