John 4 The Parable of the Sower.
By the Sea Teaching
the Sea of Galilee, which is about eight by fourteen miles in size.
The Parable
A parable draws its hearers to take part in a situation, evaluate it, and apply its truth to themselves.
Unlike the modern method, the seed was sown first and then plowed under. The sower held it in an apron with one hand and broadcast it with the other. It was inevitable that some would fall upon the hardened path through the field, some where the soil was too shallow, and some among thorns as well as on good ground.
The stones and thistles that to this day infest Palestinian fields are legendary
the superabundant harvest in v. 8. Because of the primitive agricultural methods, an average harvest in ancient Palestine was probably no more than seven or eight times the amount of seed sown, and a good harvest probably was about ten.
The emphasis is not on the sowing because the seed is the same in each instance. Therefore the story should not be called the parable of the sower. More emphasis is placed on the different kinds of soil,
The abundance of the harvest despite the loss of some seed encourages Christians despite their failures; despite repeated failures the kingdom will come at last; contrary to appearances the kingdom has already come; the parable explains why the gospel was rejected by so many; the parable forces hearers to examine their reactions to the gospel; the parable assures preachers of success despite opposition, to name a few.
Verse 13 rebukes the disciples. Despite the statement in v. 11, they did not understand in the way they should have. In fact, this is the first explicit statement about their lack of understanding (see also 6:51–52; 7:18; 8:17, 21; 9:32–33; cf. 4:40–41; 8:33)
The Purpose of Parables
This is the term’s only occurence in Mark. In Mark’s perspective, there are insiders and outsiders to understanding what God is doing—the disciples are privileged to know what is going on.
The key features of mystery in Mark 4 are tied to God’s sovereign plan and to the various responses to the Kingdom, such as the great fruitfulness of those who respond, the availability of the Kingdom, the almost hidden way in which it grows, and the fact that it starts out small but ends up covering the whole earth. The disciples had access to the mystery, since the text says that it had been given to them to understand.
Therefore the Greek word hina (translated “so that” in the NIV) at the beginning of v. 12 ought to be translated “as a result.” This is a well-established meaning. Jesus did not speak in parables for the purpose of withholding truth from anyone; but the result of his parables, the rest of his teaching, and even his miracles was that most did not understand and respond positively.
they don’t have deep roots. In Judaism, the wicked are commonly identified as rootless (Sir 23:25; 40:15; Wis 4:3; cf. Marcus 2000:309). Their temporary faith exposes them as lacking the genuine faith that brings forth fruit.
4:24–25. If a person accepts His proclamation (cf. 1:15), God will give him a share in His kingdom now and even more will be added in its future manifestation (cf. 4:21–23). But if one rejects His Word, that one suffers absolute loss because even the opportunity he has for a share in the kingdom now will someday be taken away from him.
Using Your Light
4:21 basket. This was probably a two-gallon measure
4:22 everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open. Jesus brings a message with a note of accountability. This will accompany judgment when the Kingdom and its comprehensive character are completely revealed and the light is fully manifest in the end. Until then, the Kingdom seems like a hidden secret.
4:25 even what little understanding they have will be taken away. This is a warning that those who do not pay attention to the light will end up with nothing, even losing what little understanding they once had.
The exhortation is to pay careful attention to the light, to hear and heed the Kingdom message. Those who do heed the message will be blessed with more revelation and blessing. Those who do not heed it will end up with nothing.