Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:8
And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred.
8. some thirty ] St Luke says simply “ and bare fruit an hundred-fold. ” St Matthew says “ some an hundred-fold, some sixty fold, some thirty-fold.” St Mark begins from the lowest return, and ascends to the highest. It is said of Isaac that he sowed and “received in the same year an hundred-fold” (Gen 26:12). Herodotus tells us that two hundred-fold was a common return in the plain of Babylon, while a kind of white maize often in Palestine returns several hundred-fold. Observe the four kinds of soil. In the first the seed did not spring up at all; in the second it sprang up, but soon withered away; in the third it sprang up and grew, but yielded no fruit; in the fourth it sprang up, grew, and brought forth fruit; and as there are three causes of unfruitfulness, so there are three degrees of fruitfulness, but only one cause of fruitfulness.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Mar 4:8; Mar 4:20
And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased.
The character of sincere hearers considered
1. That these hearers have honest and good hearts. The ground must be properly manured and prepared, before the seed can so mingle with it as to produce fruit. In like manner, the powers of the soul must be renewed by Divine grace, before the instructions of Gods Word can so incorporate with them as to become fruitful. Their understanding is illuminated, and a new bent is given to their will. So,
2. They hear the Word after a different manner, and to a very different purpose from what others do, and from what they themselves formerly did. They hear it with attention, candour, meekness, and simplicity; and then-to go on with our Saviours account of these hearers-they,
3. Understand the Word. This is not expressly said, as I remember, of either of the former characters. Their knowledge is, in short, experimental and practical.
4. They keep the Word. The seed once lodged in the heart remains there. It is not caught away by the wicked one, it is not destroyed by the scorching beams of persecution, nor is it choked by the thorns of worldly cares and pleasures. It is laid up in the understanding, memory, and affections; and guarded with attention and care, as the most invaluable treasure. And, indeed, how is it imaginable that the man who has received the truth in the love of it, has ventured his everlasting all on it, and has no other ground of hope whatever, should be willing to part with this good Word of the grace of God! sooner would he renounce his dearest temporal enjoyments, yea, even life itself. Again,
5. They bring forth fruit. The seed springs up, looks green, and promises a fair harvest. They profess the Christian name, and live answerable to it. Their external conduct is sober, useful, and honourable; and their temper is pious, benevolent, and holy. The fruit they bear is of the same nature with the seed whence it springs.
6. They bring forth fruit with patience. It is a considerable time before the seed disseminates, rises into the stalk and the ear, and ripens into fruit (Jam 5:7).
7. And lastly. They bring forth fruit in different degrees, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold. And now, in order to the fully discussing this argument, we shall-
I. Show the necessity of the hearts being made honest and good, in order to mens duly receiving the word and keeping it; this will clearly appear on a little reflection. I suppose it will scarce be denied that the will and affections have a considerable influence on the operations of the understanding and judgment. To a mind, therefore, under the tyranny of pride and pleasure, positions that are hostile to these passions will not easily gain admission. Their first appearance will create prejudice. And if that prejudice does not instantly preclude all consideration, it will yet throw insuperable obstructions in the way of impartial inquiry. If it does not absolutely put out the eye of reason, it will yet raise such dust before it as will effectually prevent its perceiving the object. What men do not care to believe, they will take pains to persuade themselves is not true. When once a new bias is given to the will and affections, and a man, from a proud, becomes a humble man, from a lover of this world, a lover of God, his prejudices against the gospel will instantly subside. The thick vapours exhaled from a sensual heart, which had obscured his understanding, will disperse; and the light of Divine truth shine in upon him with commanding evidence. He will receive the truth in the love of it. How important, then, is regeneration! This leads us-
II. To describe the kind of fruit which such persons will bear. It is good fruit-fruit of the same nature with the seed whence it grows, and the soil with which it is incorporated: of the same nature with the gospel itself which is received in faith, and with those holy principles which are infused by the blessed Spirit. Here let us dwell a little more particularly on the nature and tendency of the gospel. God is in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them. O how inflexible the justice, how venerable the holiness, and how boundless the goodness of God! And if this be the gospel, who can hesitate a moment upon the question respecting its natural and proper tendency? How can piety languish and die amidst this scene of wonders? How can the heart, occupied with these sentiments, remain unsusceptible to the feelings of justice, truth, humanity, and benevolence? How can a man believe himself to be that guilty, depraved, helpless wretch which this gospel supposes him to be, and not be humble? How can he behold the Creator of the world expiring in agonies on the cross, and follow Him thence a pale, breathless corpse to the tomb, and not feel a sovereign contempt for the pomps and vanities of this transitory state? But to bring the matter more fully home to the point before us, what kind of a man is the real Christian? Let us contemplate his character, and consider what is the general course of his life. Instructed in this Divine doctrine, and having his heart made honest and good, he will be a man of piety, integrity, and purity. The grace of God, which bringeth salvation, will teach him to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Tit 2:11-12). As to piety. A due regard to the authority of the blessed God will have a commanding influence upon his temper and practice. As to social duties. His conduct will be governed by the rule his Divine Master has laid down, of doing to others as he would have them do to him. As to personal duties. He will use the comforts of life, which he enjoys as the fruits of Divine benevolence, with temperance and moderation. Such are the fruits which they bring forth, who hear the Word in the manner our Saviour describes, and who keep it in good and honest hearts (Eph 4:1; Php 1:27; Gal 5:22-23). But it is not meant by this description of the Christian to raise him above the rank of humanity, or to give a colouring to the picture which it will not bear. He is still a man, not an angel. To fix the standard of real religion at a mark to which none can arrive, is to do an injury to religion itself, as well as to discourage the hearts of its best friends. But though perfection, in the strict sense of the term, is not to be admitted, yet the fruit which every real Christian bears is good fruit.
1. How gracious is that influence which the blessed God exerts, to make the heart honest and good, and so dispose it to receive the Word, and profit by it!
2. From the nature and tendency of the gospel, which has been just delineated, we derive a strong presumptive evidence of its truth.
3. Of what importance is it that we converse intimately with the gospel, in order to our bringing forth the fruits of holiness!
4. And lastly, How vain a thing is mere speculation in religion! We have discoursed on the two first heads, and proceed now-
III. To consider the great variety there is among Christians in regard of degrees of fruitfulness and the reasons of it. First, as to the fact that there are degrees of fruitfulness, a little observation will sufficiently prove it. Fruitfulness may be considered in regard both of the devout affections of the heart, and the external actions of the life; in each of which views it will admit of degrees. The variety is prodigious. What multitudes live harmless, sober, and regular lives. Their obedience is rather negative than positive. They bring no dishonour on their profession, nor yet are they very ornamental and exemplary. Others are strictly conscientious and circumspect in their walk, far removed from all appearance of gaiety and dissipation, and remarkably serious and constant in their attendance upon religious duties; but, for want of sweetness of temper, or of that sprightliness and freedom which a lively faith inspires, the fruit they bear is but slender, and of an unpleasant flavour. There are those, further, in whom seriousness and cheerfulness are happily united, and whose conduct is amiable in the view of all around them; but then, moving in a narrow sphere, and possessing no great zeal or resolution, their lives are distinguished by few remarkable exertions for the glory of God, and the good of others. And again, there are a number whose bosoms, glowing with flaming zeal and ardent love, are rich in good works, never weary in well-doing, and full of the fruits of righteousness, to the praise and the glory of God. In the garden of God there are trees of different growth. Some newly planted, of slender stature and feeble make, which yet bring forth good, though but little, fruit. And here and there you see one that out-tops all the rest, whose roots spread far and wide, and whose boughs are laden in autumn with rich and large fruit. Such variety is there among Christians. And variety there is; too, in the different species of good works. Some are eminent in this virtue, and some in that; while perhaps a few abound in every good word and work. Whoever consults the history of religion in the Bible will see all that has been said exemplified in the characters and lives of a long scroll of pious men. Not to speak here of the particular excellences that distinguished these men of God from each other, it is enough to observe that some vastly outshone others. The proportions of a hundred, sixty, and thirty fold might be applied to patriarchs, prophets, judges, kings, apostles, and the Christians of the primitive church. Between, for instance, an Abraham that offered up his only son, and a righteous Lot, that lingered at the call of an angel. Secondly, inquire into the grounds and reasons of this disparity among Christians respecting the fruits of holiness. These are of very different consideration. Many of them will be found to have no connection at all with the inward temper of the mind; a reflection, therefore, upon them will give energy to what has been said in regard of the charity we ought to exercise in judging of others. Let us begin, then-
1. With mens worldly circumstances. The affluent Christian you will see pouring his bounty on all around him. But the poor Christian can render few, if any, of these services to his fellow creatures.
2. Opportunity is another ground of distinction among Christians in regard of fruitfulness. By opportunity I mean occasions of usefulness, which arise under the particular and immediate direction of Divine Providence. A Daniel shall have such easy access to the presence of a mighty tyrant as shall enable him to whisper the most beneficial counsels in his ear; and an apostle, by being brought in chains before a no less powerful prince, shall have an opportunity of defending the cause of his Divine Master in the most essential manner.
3. Mental abilities have a considerable influence in this matter. What shining talents do some good men possess! They have extensive learning, great knowledge of mankind, much sagacity and penetration, singular fortitude, a happy manner of address, flowing language, and a remarkable sweetness of temper.
4. The different means of religion that good men enjoy are another occasion of their different degrees of fruitfulness.
5. That the comparative different state of religion in one Christian and another is the more immediate and direct cause of their different fruitfulness. But this plain general truth we may affirm, leaving everyone to apply it to himself, that, in proportion as religion is on the advance or decline in a mans heart, so will his external conduct be more or less exemplary.
6. And lastly, the greater or less effusion of Divine influences.
IV. The blessedness of those who, hearing the word, and keeping it in honest and good hearts, bring forth the fruits of holiness.
1. As to the pleasure that accompanies ingenuous obedience. Great peace have they, says David, who love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them (Psa 119:165).
2. Fruitfulness affords a noble proof of a mans uprightness, and so tends indirectly, as well as directly, to promote his happiness.
3. The esteem, too, in which he is held among his fellow Christians must contribute not a little to his comfort.
4. How glorious will be the rewards which the fruitful Christian will receive at the hands of the Great Husbandman on the day of harvest! That day is approaching. Mark the perfect man; behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace. Going down to death like a shock of corn fully ripe, the precious grain shall lie secure in the bosom of the earth; angels shall keep their vigils about it: while the immortal spirit, acquiring its highest degree of perfection, shall join the company of the blessed above. (S. Stennett, D. D.)
Some thirty fold
Everyone has observed the difference between those who may be called good Christians, in the matter of their good works-how some seem to produce twice or thrice the fruit that others do. Some are, compared with others, three times more careful in all the trilling matters which make up so much of life; three times more self-denying, three times more liberal, three times more humble, subdued, and thankful. Does not the Lord recognize this difference in the parable of the pounds-when the nobleman, in leaving, gives a pound to each of his servants; and one servant makes it ten pounds, and another five; and he commends both, but gives to the more industrious worker twice the reward? (M. F. Sadler.)
Patience
Patience is power. With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes satin. (Eastern Proverb.)
Never think that Gods delays are Gods denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out: Patience is genius. (Buffon.)
Meditation
Meditation is partly a passive, partly an active state. Whoever has pondered long over a plan which he is anxious to accomplish, without distinctly seeing at first the way, knows what meditation is. The subject itself presents itself in leisure moments spontaneously: but then all this sets the mind at work-contriving, imagining, rejecting, modifying. It is in this way that one of the greatest of English engineers, a man uncouth and unaccustomed to regular discipline of mind, is said to have accomplished his most marvellous triumphs. He threw bridges over almost impracticable torrents, and pierced the eternal mountains for his viaducts. Sometimes a difficulty brought all the work to a pause; then he would shut himself up in his room, eat nothing, speak to no one, abandon himself intensely to the contemplation of that on which his heart was set; and at the end of two or three days, would come forth serene and calm, walk to the spot, and quietly give orders which seemed the result of superhuman intuition. This was meditation. (F. W. Robertson.)
The numerical relations of good and evil
In the parable of the four sorts of ground whereon the seed was sown, the last alone proved fruitful. There the bad were more than the good. But amongst the servants, two improved their talents, or pounds, and one only buried them. Here the good were more than the bad. Again, amongst the ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish. There the good and bad were equal. I see, that concerning the number of the saints in comparison to the reprobates, no certainty can be collected from these parables. Good reason, for it is not their principal purpose to meddle with that point. Grant that I may never rack a Scripture simile beyond the true intent thereof. (Thomas Fuller.)
Favourable moral conditions
A great deal of fire falleth upon a stone and it burneth not, but a dry chip soon taketh fire. (T. Maclaren.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
8. And other fell on good ground,and did yield fruit, c.The goodness of this last soil consistsin its qualities being precisely the reverse of the other threesoils: from its softness and tenderness, receiving and cherishing theseed from its depth, allowing it to take firm root, and not quicklylosing its moisture; and from its cleanness, giving its whole vigorand sap to the plant. In such a soil the seed “brings forthfruit,” in all different degrees of profusion, according to themeasure in which the soil possesses those qualities. See on Mr4:20.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And other fell on good ground,…. The word was preached to some whose hearts were disposed by the Spirit and grace of God to receive it; and their understandings were enlightened by it; and they had a savoury and comfortable experience of the truths of it, it coming with power to them; it was a good word to them, and through the grace of God they became good by it; a good work of grace was wrought upon their souls, and they were filled with all goodness and righteousness:
and did yield fruit that sprang up, and increased; they not only appeared, and made an outward profession of the word, and brought forth a little show of fruit, which comes to nothing, as in others; but they were filled with the fruits of righteousness, and increased with the increase of God, and grew in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ Jesus, and continued to bring forth fruit to the end of their lives:
and brought forth some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred; that is, so many fold: in some the word of God produced larger and greater effects; the grace of God was more in exercise in some, than in others, and some were more fruitful and useful; yet in all of them there was true grace, and a measure of it; some degree of lively exercise, and some usefulness.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Growing up and increasing ( ). In Mark alone. A vivid detail enlarging on the continued growth implied in the imperfect “yielded fruit” ( ). It kept on yielding as it grew. Fruit is what matters.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
That sprang up and increased [ ] . The Rev. literally renders the participles, growing up and increasing, thus describing the process more vividly. These two participles, moreover, explain the use of the imperfect tense ejdidou [] , denoting continuance. It began to yield and kept yielding as it increased.
Thirty [ ] . Lit., up to thirty.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And other fell on good ground,” (kai alla epesen eis ten gen ten kalen) “And others (of the seed) fell into the good earth, or good ground,” properly prepared, receptive soil, referring to the receiving heart of the believer in Jesus Christ, who is then born of God, Joh 1:11-12; Joh 5:1.
2) “And did yield fruit that sprang up and increased,” (kai edidou karpon anabainonta kai auksanomena) -And it came up and while growing it gave increase,” bore fruit, compensating for the soil ,and care, the true purpose of God in every believer, Joh 15:1-5; Joh 15:16; 2Pe 1:4-8.
3) “And brought forth,” (kai epheren) ”And it bore,” gently brought forth, in harmony with nature, it increased. This is the person who heard, understood, and obeyed the word, Joh 15:14.
a) ”Some thirty,” (eis triakonta) ”Some up to thirty,” times its increase. Each that fell on good ground gave back a multiplied increase to the sower.
b) ”And some sixty,” (kai en helksekonta) “And some up to or in sixty times its increase;- Each child of God shall be blessed and rewarded according to his own labors and faithfulness in use of his own gifts, 1Co 3:9.
c) ”And some an hundred.” (kai en hekaton) “Am! some up to or in the area of an hundred times its increase,” according to the nature of the seed and the soil. These are quantitative descriptions of fruit bearing in ascending order, while Matthew describes the fruit bearing in the declining or anticlimax order, Mat 11:23.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(8) 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.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
“And others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. And it produced thirtyfold, sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
The change to the plural ‘others’ stresses the individuality of those who respond and that there are many who would so respond. In spite of all the problems that he faced the farmer could be sure that some seed would grow and flourish because the ground was good, and when it did it would produce in abundance. So in the end the message is positive. A harvest is guaranteed. The seed will bear fruit in receptive hearers, even though not in others. Those who had heard John the Baptiser’s preaching would not fail to connect this with his words about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the wheat and the chaff, and the resulting harvest (Mat 3:10-12; Luk 3:16-17).
‘It produced thirtyfold, sixtyfold and a hundredfold.’ This threefoldness parallels the threefoldness of the different types of barren ground. Not all seed sown in good ground produces at the same level, but all produces abundantly. The reference is possibly to the number of grains per plant, although the figures may simply be indications of fruitfulness indicating completeness, double completeness and full completeness.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
Ver. 8. Fruit that sprang up and increased ] This is spoken in opposition to the thorny ground, where the thorns grow up together with the grain, and shaded it; whereas the good ground brings forth fruit increasing, and ascending: , and although it have many thorns, yet grace is superior to corruption, and keeps it under.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
on = into. Greek. eis. App-104.
good. Because prepared.
ground. Same word as “earth” in Mar 4:5, Mar 4:9 He that hath, fee. See App-142.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mar 4:8 , yielded: , brought forth) The subject is , some:[32] comp. Mar 4:4-7.-, springing up) above all obstacles.
[32] So ADab Vulg. and Lachm. But BCL Memph. Tischend.-ED.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
fell: Mar 4:20, Isa 58:1, Jer 23:29, Mat 13:8, Mat 13:23, Luk 8:8, Luk 8:15, Joh 1:12, Joh 1:13, Joh 3:19-21, Joh 7:17, Joh 15:5, Act 17:11, Col 1:6, Heb 4:1, Heb 4:2, Jam 1:19-22, 1Pe 2:1-3
an hundred: Gen 26:12, Phi 1:11
Reciprocal: Luk 4:5 – taking
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
GOOD SOIL YIELDS GOOD FRUIT
And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit.
Mar 4:8
Here the seed falls in deep, well-prepared soil, and at harvest the valleys stand thick with corn. When gathered in it is found to yield thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold, and the farmer rejoices.
Who are these? Those who have an honest and good heart, made so by Him from Whom comes the preparations of the heart in man (Pro 16:1), open to receive good; sincere, like Nathanael and Lydia. Proof of this shown by:
I. Receiving the Word.Thy Word have I hid in mine heart.
II. Understanding the Word.With heart and mind.
III. Keeping the Word, not letting it go, when world tries to draw away.
IV. Bringing forth fruit with patience.Corn has many dangers to pass through, and a Christian has many trials and difficulties, but he who has an honest heart perseveres and produces fruit, not all alikedifferent measures; some more, some less, but all should strive to bring forth more, remembering Joh 15:8. This fruitfulness is the proof of having the honest heart.
Rev. R. R. Resker.
Illustration
There will always be some persons in this state of soul where the Gospel is faithfully preached. Their numbers may very likely be few, compared to the worldly around them. Their experience and degree of spiritual attainment may differ widely, some bringing forth thirty, some sixty, and some a hundredfold. But the fruit of the seed falling into good ground will always be of the same kind. There will always be visible repentance, visible faith in Christ, and visible holiness of life. Without these things there is no saving religion.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
9
The good ground brought forth various amounts of the good seed which was the only difference; the quality was the same in all.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 4:8. Growing up and increasing. The words are peculiar to Mark. This is spoken of the fruit, but in the wider sense of the whole progress of the plant, since all this is necessary to the real fruit or grain, which was brought forth. This verse puts the smallest proportion first; in Matthews account it is put last. Other verbal differences attesting the independence of the Evangelists, are indicated as far as possible in the foot-notes to the text.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 8
Some thirty; thirty-fold, in proportion to the seed.