Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 4:9

"And he said, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." — Mark 4:9 (ASV)

The parable of the sower begins and ends with a call for careful attention, suggesting that its meaning may not be self-evident. Alert minds are needed to comprehend its truth. The background of the parable is rural life in Palestine. Seed was sown in broadcast fashion (v.3). The sower deliberately sowed it on the path (v.4), in rocky places (v.5), and among the thorns (v.7) because sowing preceded plowing. However, if plowing was delayed for any time at all, the consequences Jesus mentioned inevitably resulted.

The great emphasis in the parable is on the act of sowing the seed (i.e., the kingdom of God breaking into the world through Jesus) rather than on the soils into which it is sown (i.e., the response to Jesus’ preaching). Although difficulties face God’s kingdom, it grows and ultimately produces an abundant harvest.