Matthew Henry Commentary Mark 4:1-20

"And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there is gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his teaching, Hearken: Behold, the sower went forth to sow: and it came to pass, as he sowed, some [seed] fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured it. And other fell on the rocky [ground], where it had not much earth; and straightway it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And other fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. And he said, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables. 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: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them. And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them. And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky [places], who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy; and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble. And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word, and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold." — Mark 4:1-20 (ASV)

This parable contained instruction so important that all capable of hearing were obligated to pay attention to it. There are many things it is important for us to know; and if we do not understand the plain truths of the gospel, how will we learn those that are more difficult! It will help us to value the privileges we enjoy as disciples of Christ if we seriously consider the deplorable state of all who do not have such privileges. In the great field of the church, the word of God is dispensed to all.

Of the many who hear the word of the gospel, only a few receive it so that they bring forth fruit. Many are greatly affected by the word at the time, yet they receive no lasting benefit. The word does not leave lasting impressions upon the minds of people because their hearts are not properly prepared to receive it. The devil is very busy with careless hearers, just as the fowls of the air gather around the seed that lies on top of the ground.

Many continue in a barren, false profession and go down to hell. Impressions that are not deep will not last. Many do not pay attention to heart-work, without which religion is nothing. Others are hindered from profiting by the word of God by worldly abundance. And those who have only a little of the world may still be ruined by indulging the body. God expects and requires fruit from those who enjoy the gospel: a proper mindset, Christian graces exercised daily, and Christian duties properly performed.

Let us look to the Lord, so that by His new-creating grace our hearts may become good ground, and so that the good seed of the word may produce in our lives those good words and works that come through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God the Father.