Albert Barnes Commentary Mark 4:28

"The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." — Mark 4:28 (ASV)

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself. This means it is done without the power of man. It is done while man is engaged in other things. The context of this passage does not require us to suppose that our Savior meant to say that the earth had any productive power of its own, but only that it produced its fruit, not by the power of man.

God gives it its power; it has no power of its own. So, religion in the heart is not by the power of man. It grows, and he cannot tell how; and, of course, he cannot control it without divine aid. It is by the power of God. At the same time, just as man would have no harvest without industry, so he would have no religion without active effort. Both are connected with his effort; both are commonly to be measured by his effort (Philippians 2:12); both grow, and he cannot tell how; both increase when the proper means are used; and both depend on God for their increase.

First the blade. This refers to the green, tender shoot that first sprouts from the earth, before the stalk forms.

Then the ear. The original word means the stalk or spire of wheat or barley, as well as the ear.

The full corn. This means the ripe wheat, the grain swollen to its proper size. This undoubtedly denotes that grace, or religion in the heart, is of gradual growth. At first, it is tender, feeble, perhaps almost imperceptible, like the first shoots of grain from the earth. Perhaps also, like grain, it often lies long in the earth before showing signs of life.

Like the tender grain, it also needs care, kindness, and cultivation. A light frost, a cold storm, or a burning sun can all injure it. Similarly, tender piety in a child's heart needs care, kindness, and cultivation. It needs shelter from the frosts and storms of a cold, unfeeling world.

It needs the gentle dews and mild suns of heaven. In other words, it needs instruction, prayer, and friendly counsel from parents, teachers, ministers, and experienced Christians, so that it may grow and bring forth the full fruits of holiness. Like the grain, in due time, it will also grow strong; it will produce its appropriate fruit—a full and rich harvest, to the praise of God.