The Gospel of Mark, rightly Divided
Mark 4:20-29 | Session 16 | Mark Rightly Divided
Mark 4:3-20 | The Parable of the Sower
Verses 3-19 - see session 15
Verse 20 -
The "mystery of the kingdom of God" (v. 11) is that the nation would reject both its Messiah and its kingdom offer, and be left desolate. This is not a revelation of the mystery of the dispensation of the grace of God, but rather a revelation of the rejection of the kingdom.
Verse 20 reveals that there would be some who would receive the message and produce fruit. Producing fruit does not mean producing the kingdom, but it is work towards encouraging the nation to accept its kingdom.
The hidden message of this mystery would be an encouragement for those who would receive Jesus as the King and the forthcoming offer of the Kingdom, but would be perplexed and discouraged by the number of fellow citizens who would reject the offer.
Putting together a chronology of the Gospels is challenging, but it is likely that the events of John 6, which included the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus' discourse on the Bread of Life, occur at the end of a full year of ministry in Galilee. The parable of the Sower and the Soils, and thus the revelation of the mystery of the Kingdom, likely took place prior to this, perhaps by a few weeks or a few months at most. In John 6:66, we are told, "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." Those who knew the kingdom mystery would be encouraged to remain steadfast, unaffected by public opinion.
Mark 4:21-25 | The Concluding Illustration
Verses 21 -
This verse is not another parable, but rather an illustration that, when combined with verse 22, reveals instead of conceals. The illustration is quite simple: it doesn't make sense to have a candle and hide the light. Verse 22 will further explain the connection to the mystery of the parable.
Verse 22 -
The purpose of a parable is to conceal truth to outsiders while revealing truth to insiders. Jesus says secret things are eventually "manifested**." I interpret this "candle addendum" as a statement to the disciples that what is now a secret will soon enough become obvious. In a sense, this is a prophetic message of the rejection by the masses of the kingdom. When fulfilled, it would become yet another Messianic proof.
Verse 23 -
As in verse 9, this statement encourages the inquiring listener to listen closely, and to look for the message beyond the obvious.
Verse 24 -
There is an interesting comparison between “what ye hear” and “what measure ye mete.” The Greek term "μετρέω" (metreo), translated as "ye mete," implies measuring or apportioning. Since hearing is both at the beginning and the conclusion of the measurement comment, it seems that the “measure” is the effort given to understand the hearing. That is, the more you work on “hearing” the greater the understanding you will receive.
While there is some general applicability, I think it would be dangerous to make this a universal principle, and certainly beyond the message of the text. It is, however, similar to the principle of sowing and reaping found in Galatians 6:7.
Verse 25 -
This principle may initially seem offensive, likely because it is often taken out of context and applied solely within an economic framework of the "haves" and the "have nots." It is worth noting that whenever this statement appears in Scripture, it is directly related to the concept of the "kingdom," involving either investing in knowledge of the kingdom or utilizing resources for the kingdom's purposes (as seen in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:28 and Luke 19:24-26).
Even in the principle of sowing and reaping mentioned by Paul in Galatians, this concept holds true. When you sow, you reap. When you hoard, you eventually lose the seed you possess.
In the immediate context, those who understand the purpose of a parable and seek its meaning will gain a deeper understanding. Conversely, those who are ignorant, do not inquire, and do not care will lose any understanding they could have attained.
A note on missaplication: Karl Marx did not directly engage with Biblical texts like Mark 4:25 in his economic theories, but the principle of the verse does bear a resemblance to aspects of Marxist theory, particularly his critique of capitalism. Marx argued that in a capitalist society, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, a concept sometimes simplified as the "accumulation of capital." According to Marx, the capitalist mode of production allows those who already have capital to accumulate more of it at the expense of the laboring class. The verse is not advocating for a socio-economic reality but is rather making a spiritual point about the disposition required to understand and participate in the Kingdom of God.
Mark 4:26-29 | The Parable Of The Growing Seed
Verse 26 -
This parable is only found in Mark’s Gospel. All parables are about the Kingdom, and many, like this one, are explicitly stated to be so. Since the definition of the kingdom is so often misunderstood the parables are often misapplied to realms beyond the kingdom. As we defined the kingdom previously (see v. 11), the Kingdom of God is the prophesied reign of God through the Messiah, a descendant of King David, who liberates Israel from its oppressors and establishes a just and righteous rule. This Kingdom is a geopolitical reality, centered in Jerusalem, that restores Israel to its former glory and brings peace, justice, and prosperity to the world.
Therefore, the future geopolitical reality that is the kingdom is like a man planting seed. Knowing the foundational principle of the parable of the sower and soils, that much of Israel would reject its promised kingdom, the close-listening disciple would now understand that they should expect rejection of the kingdom. What is about to be seen is that they should also expect delay.
Verses 27-29
These verses are certainly meant to be applied beyond gardening principles. They are meant to display to those listening closely that there may be a time when it looks like nothing is happening, but the seed-sower should not fear. What is happening is beyond the realm of sight, of a somewhat mysterious nature, but will eventually show signs of life. In time, a time which cannot be rushed, “*the fruit is brought forth*” (v. 29). At that time, and not prior, the harvest is gathered.
Considering the future geopolitical reality of the kingdom, it would be difficult to interpret "harvest" as anything other than a national population prepared to form a kingdom. Portraying the fruit as individual acts of righteousness or personal sanctification (as the kingdom-now teaching most often does) would contradict the concept of harvest. The sickle is not used until the entire crop is ready, not when an individual ear is ready.
