21 And He was saying to them, " A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket , is it, or under a bed ? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand ? 22 " For nothing e is hidden , except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret , but that it would come to light . 23 " If anyone has ears to hear , let him hear ." 24 And He was saying to them, "Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides . 25 " For whoever has , to him more shall be given ; and whoever does not have , even what he has shall be taken away from him."
26 And He was saying , "The kingdom of God is like e a man who casts seed upon the soil ; 27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day , and the seed sprouts and grows -how , he himself does not know . 28 "The soil produces crops by itself ; first the blade , then the head , then the mature grain in the head . 29 "But when the crop permits , he immediately puts in the sickle , because the harvest has come ."
30 And He said , "How shall we picture the kingdom of God , or by what parable shall we present it? 31 "It is like a mustard seed , which , when sown upon the soil , though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil , 32 yet when it is sown , it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches ; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE ."
33 With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it; 34 and He did not speak to them without a parable ; but He was explaining everything privately e to His own disciples .
35 On that day , when evening came , He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side ." 36 Leaving the crowd , they took Him along with them in the boat , just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind , and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern , asleep on the cushion ; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher , do You not care that we are perishing ?" 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea , "Hush , be still ." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm . 40 And He said to them, "Why are you afraid ? Do you still have no faith ?" 41 They became very much afraid and said to one another , "Who then is this , that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 4:21-41
Commentary on Mark 4:21-34
(Read Mark 4:21-34)
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!
Commentary on Mark 4:35-41
(Read Mark 4:35-41)
Christ was asleep in the storm, to try the faith of his disciples, and to stir them up to pray. Their faith appeared weak, and their prayers strong. When our wicked hearts are like the troubled sea which cannot rest, when our passions are unruly, let us think we hear the law of Christ, saying, Be silent, be dumb. When without are fightings, and within are fears, and the spirits are in a tumult, if he say, "Peace, be still," there is a great calm at once. Why are ye so fearful? Though there may be cause for some fear, yet not for such fear as this. Those may suspect their faith, who can have such a thought as that Jesus careth not though his people perish. How imperfect are the best of saints! Faith and fear take their turns while we are in this world; but ere long, fear will be overcome, and faith will be lost in sight.