Mark 4:14
Verse
Context
The Parable of the Sower Explained
13Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?14The farmer sows the word. 15Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
Sermons
Charles E. Fuller
Joshua Daniel
Brian BrodersenSummary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The sower soweth the word--or, as in Luke (Luk 8:11), "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." But who is "the sower?" This is not expressed here because if "the word of God" be the seed, every scatterer of that precious seed must be regarded as a sower. It is true that in the parable of the tares it is said, "He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man," as "He that soweth the tares is the devil" (Mat 13:37-38). But these are only the great unseen parties, struggling in this world for the possession of man. Each of these has his agents among men themselves; and Christ's agents in the sowing of the good seed are the preachers of the word. Thus, as in all the cases about to be described, the sower is the same, and the seed is the same; while the result is entirely different, the whole difference must lie in the soils, which mean the different states of the human heart. And so, the great general lesson held forth in this parable of the sower is, that however faithful the preacher, and how pure soever his message, the effect of the preaching of the word depends upon the state of the hearer's heart. Now follow the cases. See on Mar 4:4.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And have no root in themselves,.... The word has no root in their hearts, only in their natural affections: nor is the root of grace in them; there is no heart work, only speculative notions, and flashy affections: and so endure but for a time: they continue hearers and professors of the Gospel but for a small season; like the Jews, who rejoiced in the ministry of John the Baptist for a while, and then left him: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. As soon as any small degree of trouble comes upon them, and especially when there is a hot persecution of the professors of religion, because of the Gospel they have embraced; such hearers are stumbled at these things, and cannot bear the loss of any thing, or endure any thing severe for the sake of the word they have professed a pleasure in; and therefore, rather than suffer, they relinquish at once their profession of it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:14-20 The interpretation of the parable of the four soils is allegorical. The farmer represents a preacher of God’s word (4:14). The four types of soil that receive the seed represent different responses to the preaching of the word. The point of this parable and its interpretation is that hearers should be good soil and heed God’s word (4:9). Only those who produce fruit and endure to the end will be saved (13:13; 8:35; Rev 2:10-11).
Mark 4:14
The Parable of the Sower Explained
13Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?14The farmer sows the word. 15Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Parable of the Sower
By Charles E. Fuller1.7K50:44SowerMRK 4:14ACT 2:14ACT 8:52TI 4:2HEB 10:26HEB 11:25REV 3:20In this sermon, the preacher uses an illustration of a man in a railroad station to emphasize the importance of paying attention to the message of Jesus. He explains that just like the man in the station who may not hear or pay attention to the train announcer, people can be indifferent or engrossed in worldly matters and miss the gospel message. The preacher then focuses on the parable of the sower sowing the seed, explaining the different ways in which people receive the gospel. He highlights the importance of having eyes to see the unseen and becoming fruitful by hearkening and paying attention to the word of God.
Soulish Religion
By Joshua Daniel81814:30SoulishPSA 141:2MAT 6:7MRK 4:14ROM 8:261TI 2:8HEB 4:12JAS 5:16In this sermon, Joshua Daniel emphasizes the importance of grounding ourselves in the realities of God's Word. He references Mark 4:14, highlighting the power of the Word of God to divide the soul and spirit. Daniel encourages listeners to examine their own spirituality, questioning whether their religion is soulish or spiritual. He shares a personal anecdote about a prayer meeting where someone honestly confessed their hypocrisy, emphasizing the need for humility before God. Daniel also addresses the danger of materialism and self-exaltation, urging listeners to prioritize the glory of God. He concludes with a prayer for forgiveness and strength for preachers to be faithful and courageous in their calling.
(Acts) Righteous, Self Control, and Judgement
By Brian Brodersen61959:43MRK 4:14ACT 23:11ACT 24:14ACT 24:16ACT 24:18ACT 24:25ACT 26:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of scattering the seed of the word of God and trusting God to bring about the results. He shares a testimony of a group of people who shared the gospel at their workplace, and as a result, some employees got saved and attended church. The speaker also shares another testimony of a young man who overhears a plot against the apostle Paul and saves his life by informing him and the commander. The main point is that God often works supernaturally through natural means, and we should not always expect dramatic supernatural manifestations.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The sower soweth the word--or, as in Luke (Luk 8:11), "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." But who is "the sower?" This is not expressed here because if "the word of God" be the seed, every scatterer of that precious seed must be regarded as a sower. It is true that in the parable of the tares it is said, "He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man," as "He that soweth the tares is the devil" (Mat 13:37-38). But these are only the great unseen parties, struggling in this world for the possession of man. Each of these has his agents among men themselves; and Christ's agents in the sowing of the good seed are the preachers of the word. Thus, as in all the cases about to be described, the sower is the same, and the seed is the same; while the result is entirely different, the whole difference must lie in the soils, which mean the different states of the human heart. And so, the great general lesson held forth in this parable of the sower is, that however faithful the preacher, and how pure soever his message, the effect of the preaching of the word depends upon the state of the hearer's heart. Now follow the cases. See on Mar 4:4.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And have no root in themselves,.... The word has no root in their hearts, only in their natural affections: nor is the root of grace in them; there is no heart work, only speculative notions, and flashy affections: and so endure but for a time: they continue hearers and professors of the Gospel but for a small season; like the Jews, who rejoiced in the ministry of John the Baptist for a while, and then left him: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. As soon as any small degree of trouble comes upon them, and especially when there is a hot persecution of the professors of religion, because of the Gospel they have embraced; such hearers are stumbled at these things, and cannot bear the loss of any thing, or endure any thing severe for the sake of the word they have professed a pleasure in; and therefore, rather than suffer, they relinquish at once their profession of it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:14-20 The interpretation of the parable of the four soils is allegorical. The farmer represents a preacher of God’s word (4:14). The four types of soil that receive the seed represent different responses to the preaching of the word. The point of this parable and its interpretation is that hearers should be good soil and heed God’s word (4:9). Only those who produce fruit and endure to the end will be saved (13:13; 8:35; Rev 2:10-11).