Matthew Henry Commentary Mark 4:21-34

"And he said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, [and] not to be put on the stand? For there is nothing hid, save that it should be manifested; neither was [anything] made secret, but that it should come to light. If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you; and more shall be given unto you. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath. And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed upon the earth; and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come. And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it; and without a parable spake he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things." — Mark 4:21-34 (ASV)

These declarations were intended to draw the disciples' attention to the word of Christ. By His instructing them in this way, they were enabled to instruct others; just as candles are lit not to be covered but to be placed on a candlestick, so that they may give light to a room.

This parable of the good seed shows the way the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. If the word of Christ is only given the place it ought to have in a soul, it will show itself in good conduct. It grows gradually: first the blade; then the ear; after that the full corn in the ear. When it has sprung up, it will continue to grow. The work of grace in the soul is, at first, only a day of small things; yet it has mighty products even now, while it is growing. But what will there be when it is perfected in heaven!