Bible Commentary

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 38. a pillow ] The word only occurs here. It was probably the leather cushion of the steersman. These details we learn only from St Mark. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:38”

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 37. a great storm ] The word here used is found in Luk 8:23. The word employed in Mat 8:24 generally means an earthquake. It was one of those sudden and violent squalls to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:37”

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 36. as he was ] i. e. without any preparation for the voyage. Just before the boat put off three of the listeners to His words desired to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:36”

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 35 41. The Stilling of the Storm 35. he saith unto them ] The three Synoptic Evangelists all agree in placing the Stilling of the Storm before the healing of the possessed in the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:35”

But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. Without a parable spake he not unto them – That is, the things pertaining to his kingdom. On other subjects he spake without parables. On these, such was their prejudice, so many notions had … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:34”

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear [it.] Spake he the word – The word of God. The doctrines of his gospel. As they were able to hear it – As they could comprehend it. They were like children; and he was obliged to lead … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:33”

But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. 32. great branches ] In hot countries, as in Juda, the mustard-tree attains a great size. Thomson, Land and the Book, p. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:32”

[It is] like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 31. a grain of mustard seed ] The growth of a worldly kingdom had been already set forth under the image of a tree, and that of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:31”

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 30 34. The Parable of the Mustard Seed 30. Whereunto shall we liken ] This method of asking a question before beginning a discourse was not unknown to the Rabbis. See the parallel in Luk 13:18. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:30”

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. 29. when the fruit is brought forth ] Literally, when the fruit yields itself; or offers itself, i. e. is ripe. The original word only occurs here in this sense. Comp. Virgil Geo. i. 287, “Multa adeo … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:29”