KINGDOM PARABLES IN MARK 4:
Seeking God with All Your Heart
Seeking God with All Your Heart
Dr. Paul Manuel—Seventh Day Baptist General Conference—2004
The gospels are the account of Jesus’ life and ministry, including a significant sampling of his instruction. One of his favorite teaching methods was the parable. The synoptic gospels record 41 parables by Jesus. Many of them comprise a special group called Kingdom Parables, because they often begin with the phrase, “The kingdom of heaven (or “God’) is (or “will be”) like…”1 (Matthew collected most of them in chapter 13 of his book.) As the title suggests, they concern the future Messianic Age, when God will establish His rule through His regent. Several of them, however, have implications for the present, indicating how you, as part of God’s people should prepare for your future role and how you should conduct yourself even now as a citizen of that realm, by Seeking God with All Your Heart.
The best-known kingdom parable—indeed, the best-known parable—is Jesus’ story about “The Different Soils,”2 which he uses to instruct the disciples about how they can interpret other parables. Our study this morning will examine Mark’s version of that story and of two other kingdom parables—“The Developing Seed” and “The Mustard Seed”—looking at what God has in store for the future and, equally important, what God expects from us in the present.3 As we begin, it is necessary that we be able to identify a parable and interpret it correctly.
I. Identification
What does this division in Jesus’ audience suggest should be our attitude as we study his parables? …Jesus linked his disciples’ understanding of the meaning of his parables to their willingness to obey the message of his parables. Hence, if we want to understand their meaning, we must be willing to obey their message. We may see the point Jesus is making in each case, but until we apply it, we will not really “get it.”
There is, however, a particular order we must follow. The first question whenever we read scripture should not be: “How can I apply this to my life.” We must discover what it means before we can determine why it matters. Interpretation precedes application, or we risk the danger of misunderstanding and misappropriating God’s word. How, then, do we understand parables? What procedure do we use?
II. Interpretation
The Point: Our understanding the meaning of a parable is directly proportional to our willingness to obey the message of that parable.
As I said, Jesus uses the parable of “The Different Soils,” the first parable in this chapter, perhaps even the first one he explained,4 to instruct the disciples how to interpret other parables. It appears in all three synoptic gospels (Matt 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15), and, and we will use it this morning to begin our own…
III. Investigation
What is different in the last case; that is, what does Jesus indicate is present there and missing from the others? …Only in the fourth case, does the individual “accept [or ‘understand’] it” (Matt 13:23). Paul makes a similar statement to the Corinthians: “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God…and he cannot understand them” (1 Cor 2:14).
What is the “fruit” Jesus mentions? …He does not identify it here, but other passages, especially in Matthew, suggest it refers to godly character and actions.5
A parable evokes a comparison between the story and life. They are similar in some way. Nevertheless, things that are similar are not identical and, when the comparison runs into dissimilar elements, it breaks down. Farming is similar to evangelism, but they are not the same thing. The soil has no say in how it will respond to the seed, but people do determine how they will respond to God’s word (cf. “they have closed their eyes” Matt 13:15), which is why Jesus concludes the parable with an admonition in v. 9: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
A parable instructs by covertly encouraging its audience to identify with some person or element in the story. With whom or with what (i.e., which kind of soil) would Jesus’ audience have identified? …To identify with any but the fourth type falls short of God’s requirement. We may fool others with our response to the word; we may even fool ourselves. Ultimately, however, there is only one acceptable response to God’s word, which leads us to Jesus’ point in this parable, the lesson of The Different Soils.
What is the “harvest” Jesus mentions? If the seed is the same in these two parables, is the harvest also the same? Recognizing this difference between the two stories can help us understand what the “harvest” is (or, at least, what it is not). Again, Jesus does not identify it, yet the farmer’s non-involvement in the growth process suggests that it is not his own spiritual development, with which he is continually involved and responsible, but the spiritual development of someone else, with whom he may be intermittently involved (i.e., at only one or two stages).8 He does not identify it here, but other passages, especially in Matthew, suggest that it refers to those who turn to God in repentance and faith.9
The best-known kingdom parable—indeed, the best-known parable—is Jesus’ story about “The Different Soils,”2 which he uses to instruct the disciples about how they can interpret other parables. Our study this morning will examine Mark’s version of that story and of two other kingdom parables—“The Developing Seed” and “The Mustard Seed”—looking at what God has in store for the future and, equally important, what God expects from us in the present.3 As we begin, it is necessary that we be able to identify a parable and interpret it correctly.
I. Identification
A. What is a parable?
1. Fictional story
- Not history
2. True-to-life (common)
- Not a fable (where the non-human assumes human features)
3. Single point
Please turn to Mark 4, which records the first of the kingdom parables and where Jesus explains something of their use.
- Not an allegory (which may have several points)
Mark 4:10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’”[Isa 6:10]
B. Why does Jesus use parables? (Mark 4:10-12)
Jesus is probably addressing those whose who are predisposed against what he has to teach, who have no intention of accepting his message, regardless of how important or beneficial it might be. For them, the enigma of his parables—that they are difficult to understand—simply confuses them and confirms their unbelief.
- To reveal truth to the responsive (v. 11a)
- To conceal truth from the unresponsive (vv. 11b-12
What does this division in Jesus’ audience suggest should be our attitude as we study his parables? …Jesus linked his disciples’ understanding of the meaning of his parables to their willingness to obey the message of his parables. Hence, if we want to understand their meaning, we must be willing to obey their message. We may see the point Jesus is making in each case, but until we apply it, we will not really “get it.”
There is, however, a particular order we must follow. The first question whenever we read scripture should not be: “How can I apply this to my life.” We must discover what it means before we can determine why it matters. Interpretation precedes application, or we risk the danger of misunderstanding and misappropriating God’s word. How, then, do we understand parables? What procedure do we use?
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the setting.
- What is the occasion?
B. Divide the story.
- What are primary details?
C. Discover the significance.
To accomplish this task may require some research into the culture, politics, religion, or geography of the Second Temple Period, when Jesus ministered. We can get a general idea of what he is saying from the parable itself, but if we want to understand it as his audience did, we must know some of what they knew (e.g., about agriculture). To that end, a good concordance and a Bible dictionary may prove helpful in your future study of parables.
- What is the single point?
The Point: Our understanding the meaning of a parable is directly proportional to our willingness to obey the message of that parable.
As I said, Jesus uses the parable of “The Different Soils,” the first parable in this chapter, perhaps even the first one he explained,4 to instruct the disciples how to interpret other parables. It appears in all three synoptic gospels (Matt 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15), and, and we will use it this morning to begin our own…
III. Investigation
A. The Different SoilsReview: What are the three principles for interpreting parables?
- Determine the setting.
- Divide the story.
- Discover the significance.
1. Determine the setting.
a. Broad context (3:13-14)
Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.
- Jesus appoints the twelve.
b. Immediate context (4:1-2)
Mark 4:1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said:
The second step is to divide the story into primary and secondary details. How can we tell the difference? …Primary details would normally include the main events, the hero, the climax, things we need to identify. (Later in the chapter, Jesus gives his disciples some help by interpreting the parable for them, which is also a help to us.)
- Jesus addresses the crowd.
2. Divide the story. (vv. 3-9)
Mark 4:3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.” 9 Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
a. Primary details
Without Jesus’ help, what secondary details might we mistakenly think are important, that is, necessary to identify?1) On traveled soil, the seed was eaten.
2) On rocky soil, the seed was scorched.
3) On thorny soil, the seed was choked.
4) On good soil, the seed was productive.
b. Secondary details
Review: Why does Jesus use parables (vv. 10-17)?1) The sower
2) The crop
- To conceal truth from the unresponsive.
- They will hear the message of the kingdom but will reject the challenge that it poses.
- To reveal truth to the responsive.
- They will hear the message of the kingdom and will accept the challenge that it poses.
3. Discover the significance. (vv. 13-20)
Mark 4:13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed 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. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”
a. Jesus’ interpretation
1) Traveled soil: The seed does not remain. (v. 15)
a) Satan takes the word.
b) The recipient hears, but that is all.
2) Rocky soil: The seed does not root. (vv. 16-17)
a) Trouble hinders the word.
b) The recipient hears and receives with joy, but that is all.
3) Thorny soil: The seed does not ripen. (vv. 18-19)
a) Worldliness chokes the word.
b) The recipient hears and begins to grow, but that is all.
4) Good soil: The seed bears fruit. (v. 20)
What is the variable in all four cases, the seed or the soil? …The variable element is the soil. The quality of the soil determines suitability for the seed. The common element is the seed. In each instance, Jesus says that the individual “hears the word,” which is the message of the kingdom (the gospel?).a) Nourishment increases the word.
b) The recipient hears, accepts, and produces.
What is different in the last case; that is, what does Jesus indicate is present there and missing from the others? …Only in the fourth case, does the individual “accept [or ‘understand’] it” (Matt 13:23). Paul makes a similar statement to the Corinthians: “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God…and he cannot understand them” (1 Cor 2:14).
What is the “fruit” Jesus mentions? …He does not identify it here, but other passages, especially in Matthew, suggest it refers to godly character and actions.5
A parable evokes a comparison between the story and life. They are similar in some way. Nevertheless, things that are similar are not identical and, when the comparison runs into dissimilar elements, it breaks down. Farming is similar to evangelism, but they are not the same thing. The soil has no say in how it will respond to the seed, but people do determine how they will respond to God’s word (cf. “they have closed their eyes” Matt 13:15), which is why Jesus concludes the parable with an admonition in v. 9: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
A parable instructs by covertly encouraging its audience to identify with some person or element in the story. With whom or with what (i.e., which kind of soil) would Jesus’ audience have identified? …To identify with any but the fourth type falls short of God’s requirement. We may fool others with our response to the word; we may even fool ourselves. Ultimately, however, there is only one acceptable response to God’s word, which leads us to Jesus’ point in this parable, the lesson of The Different Soils.
b. Jesus’ point
That is what it means. Now we can ask: Why does it matter? What specific ways should you be bearing fruit in God’s kingdom?
- It is not enough simply to hear God’s word; disciples must understand and accept it (i.e., apply it) so that it produces some visible and beneficial result in their lives.
B. The Developing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)
1. Determine the setting.6
a. Broad context
- Same: Jesus appoints the twelve.
b. Immediate context
- Same: Jesus addresses the crowd.
2. Divide the story.
Mark 4:26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
a. Primary details
How do these steps differ? What does the farmer control in this process? …The farmer controls the sowing and the reaping; both are his responsibility. Without the one, there is no possibility of the other. The farmer does not control the growth process; that is God’s responsibility.71) The man sows.
2) The seed grows.
3) The man reaps.
b. Secondary details
1) The sower
2) The crop
3) The sickle
3. Discover the significance.
a. Jesus’ interpretation
Although Jesus offers no explanation, the context indicates a likely direction. As in the previous parable, the “seed” probably represents the message of the kingdom. The difference is in people’s relationship to the seed.
- None
- In the first parable, Jesus expects his audience to identify with…the soil that receives the seed and to realize that they have a responsibility to accept the message of the kingdom.
- In the second parable, Jesus expects his audience to identify with…the farmer who dispenses the seed and to realize that they have a responsibility to spread the message of the kingdom.
What is the “harvest” Jesus mentions? If the seed is the same in these two parables, is the harvest also the same? Recognizing this difference between the two stories can help us understand what the “harvest” is (or, at least, what it is not). Again, Jesus does not identify it, yet the farmer’s non-involvement in the growth process suggests that it is not his own spiritual development, with which he is continually involved and responsible, but the spiritual development of someone else, with whom he may be intermittently involved (i.e., at only one or two stages).8 He does not identify it here, but other passages, especially in Matthew, suggest that it refers to those who turn to God in repentance and faith.9
b. Jesus’ point
That is what it means. Now we can ask: Why does it matter? What specific ways can you contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom?
- A disciple does not control the growth of God’s kingdom, but he can contribute toward it.
C. The Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-32)
1. Determine the setting.10
b. Broad context
- Same: Jesus appoints the twelve.
b. Immediate context
- Same: Jesus addresses the crowd.
2. Divide the story.
Mark 4:30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
a. Primary details
1) The seed is small at first.
2) The plant is large at last.
b. Secondary details
Unlike the previous two parables, what does this parable lack for Jesus’ audience? …There is no point of identification.1) The branches
2) The birds
3. Discover the significance.
a. Jesus’ interpretation
- None
b. Jesus’ point
That is what it means. Now we can ask: Why does it matter? How should you respond to this inevitable growth of God’s kingdom?
- God’s kingdom may seem to be small now, yet it will grow to be great later, without the help of any but for the benefit of many.
Mark 4:33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.Each of these three parables speaks about the future of God’s kingdom yet with an eye to the present. If you are Seeking God with All Your Heart…
- The parable of “The Different Soils” is a call to permit the growth of the kingdom in you.
- The parable of “The Developing Seed” is a call to promote the growth of the kingdom in others.
- The parable of “The Mustard Seed” is a call to ponder the growth of the kingdom in general.
For a pdf including Bibliography and Endnotes see here.
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Relevant and civil comments are welcome. Whether there will be any response depends on whether Dr. Manuel notices them and has the time and inclination to respond or, if not, whether I feel competent to do so.
Jim Skaggs