Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:17
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
17. affliction ] The word thus translated denotes (i) pressure, that which presses upon or burdens the spirit; then (2) the distress arising therefrom. The word tribulation rests upon thids image, coming as it does from tribulum = the threshing-roller.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
1) “And have no root in themselves,” (kai ouk echousin hrizon en heautois) “And have, hold, or possess not root or (no root) in themselves,” no vital connection with Jesus Christ, no new nature in them, have not been born again, believed, or been regenerated, like a tree in a storm, having no root system.
2) “And so endure but for a time:- (alla proskairoi eisin) “But they are short, or temporary endurers,” Joh 5:25. In form only, in outward profession and veneer, thus turn away, back to the things of their own, old nature, 2Pe 2:20-22.
3) “Afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth,” (eita genomenes thlipseos e diogmou) “Then when persecution or afflictions come or occur,” to all who live godly in Christ Jesus, or those who even profess, 2Ti 3:12; Mat 5:11-12; Joh 5:20.
4) “For the word’s sake,” (dia ton logon) “On account of the word,” one’s witnessing the word, because one bears an open profession of Christ, or is identified with His church, before the world, Mar 8:34-38.
5) “Immediately they are offended.” (euthus skandalizontai) “They are immediately scandalized or offended.” These stony ground hearers only stumble and fall out, quit, are easily offended, easily puffed up, for their profession is of a superficial, emotional excitement kind, without regeneration of the heart, Joh 3:3; Joh 3:6. These are much like those who turned back from following Jesus (Joh 6:66; 1Jn 2:19); They looked back, Luk 9:62.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
Ver. 17. Immediately they are offended ] They stumble at the cross, and fall backwards. These are prosperity proselytes, holy day servants, political professors, neuter passive Christians.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
and. . . for a time = but are temporary.
affliction = tribulation.
for . . . sake = on account of. Greek. dia. App-104. Mar 4:2.
are offended = stumble. The stumbling is as immediate as the “gladness “of Mar 4:16.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
have: Mar 4:5, Mar 4:6, Job 19:28, Job 27:8-10, Mat 12:31, Luk 12:10, Joh 8:31, Joh 15:2-7, 2Ti 1:15, 2Ti 2:17, 2Ti 2:18, 2Ti 4:10, 1Jo 2:19
when: Mat 11:6, Mat 13:21, Mat 24:9, Mat 24:10, 1Co 10:12, 1Co 10:13, Gal 6:12, 1Th 3:3-5, 2Ti 4:16, Heb 10:29, Rev 2:10, Rev 2:13
Reciprocal: 2Ch 24:2 – Joash 2Ch 26:5 – he sought God Isa 58:2 – they seek Eze 33:32 – of one Eze 36:26 – the stony Mat 5:11 – for Mat 13:20 – anon Luk 6:49 – immediately Luk 8:6 – General Luk 8:13 – receive Joh 2:23 – many Act 2:42 – they Heb 6:5 – tasted Heb 11:27 – endured Rev 7:16 – the sun
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Excitement is momentary and such an interest is not very deep-seated. When the real test comes of facing the attacks of worldly enemies, such people become offended which means they stumble over the word.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 4:17. This verse, as emended, presents the case more vividly: they have no root, but on the contrary are temporary, transient: then, as might be expected, when, etc.
Tribulation. The Greek word is usually so translated.