Charles Ellicott Commentary Mark 4

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Mark 4

1819–1905

Anglican

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Mark 4

1819–1905

Anglican

Verse 2

"And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his teaching," — Mark 4:2 (ASV)

In his doctrine.—Better, in His teaching.

Verse 3

"Hearken: Behold, the sower went forth to sow:" — Mark 4:3 (ASV)

A sower.—Better, the sower.

Verse 8

"And others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold." — Mark 4:8 (ASV)

Some thirty…—For the most part the parable is almost verbally identical with that in St. Matthew. Here, however, we note the difference, sufficient to establish a certain measure of independence, of an ascending instead of a descending scale.

Verse 10

"And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables." — Mark 4:10 (ASV)

Those who were about him.—In St. Matthew, simply, “the disciples.” Here the presence of others besides the Twelve is directly asserted.

Verse 11

"And he said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables:" — Mark 4:11 (ASV)

Unto them that are without.—The form of the phrase is peculiar to St. Mark; St. Matthew giving, to them, and St. Luke, to the rest.

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