by Gary L. Evans
(revised 7/31/2023)
Mark — Part 5
Mark 4:1-2 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
A very large crowd gathered to listen, and Jesus taught The Parable of The Sower.
Mark 4:3-9 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 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. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The method used by this sower described is called “broadcasting,” which was done with the grass like grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. The farmer walked through a field carrying a large bag of seed hanging from his shoulders, repeatedly reached in to get a hand full and used a smooth sweeping motion of his arm to let the seeds slip through his fingers so that they evenly covered the ground.
Note that when Jesus completed the parable, He called to His Elect, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mark 4:10-12 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
The Disciples privately asked Jesus to explain the parable. Then Jesus began by telling them that they were allowed to learn the Mysteries of The Kingdom of God, but the public was not to be taught except in Dark Sayings and Parables so they would not understand. This fact may seem strange to new students of God’s Word, but it is true.
Jesus came to fulfill Prophesy.
Isa 6:8-10 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
So Isaiah prophesied of how our Lord was commanded to preach to the public. And so He did exactly as He was commanded in order to fulfill Prophesy.
Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Then Jesus asked them, Don’t you understand this parable? If not, then how will you learn all of the other parables?
Mark 4:14-15 The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Jesus began explaining the parable. The sower was sowing The Word of God. The “way side” is the well trodden path which had been well compacted. The “seed” just lays on top of the ground and cannot take root. Then Satan (the evil birds) steals The Word sown in their hearts. So this parable is about four kinds of people that may hear God’s Word and how well they will receive it. These first kind are people who think they already know everything and are unwilling to learn anything new.
Mark 4:16-17 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 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.
Stony ground easily sprouts seeds but does not support their roots, because of the rocks preventing their growth. So these people after they hear God’s Word appear to be glad, but they never develop any depth of understanding. And when they are persecuted for The Lord’s Name’s Sake, they turn away from The Word.
Mark 4:18-19 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
It is very difficult to get much of a crop in a field covered with briars and thistles, because they overshadow the grain preventing it from growing well and suck up much of the moisture in the soil. So these people hear The Word, and it takes root in them for a while, but all of the distractions this world often throws at people prevents them from ever devoting enough time to study and service in order to minister to others.
Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
Finally these people are the type we should strive to find although it is hard to pick them, because these are humble enough to listen and sincere enough that they think about what they are being taught and will ask questions when needed in order to increase their understanding. Then after they gain sufficient understanding, they enter into The New Covenant and receive The Holy Spirit in their hearts and minds, and then The Lord teaches them directly through His Word just as He Promised.
Mark 4:21-23 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Jesus taught this analogy using a “Candle.” One does not put it under the bed where it cannot provide any light, but puts it in a candlestick holder so its light can illuminate the room. Then He explained the analogy, that everything done in secret in this world will one day be revealed.
We can perceive two meanings. One that there are no secrets from The Lord that people may try to conceal. Eventually their deeds will be revealed. Another meaning is, that The Mysteries of The Kingdom of God, though kept secret since the Destruction of The First Earth Age from most people, they will be revealed to God’s Elect, and of course if we are fruitful, we will help teach them in The Name of The Son of God.
Mark 4:24-25 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
Jesus gave them a few warnings, that how we judge others is how we ourselves will be judged. And people who listen and gain much Knowledge of God will be given even more, but people who get little Knowledge will lose even what little they have.
Mark 4:26-29 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Jesus taught another Parable about The Kingdom of God, The Seed Growing. When we plant a seed, it sprouts and begins to grow right before our eyes. We don’t know how it grows, it just does because God made it to do that. And when it reaches maturity we quickly harvest the fruit from it.
Think of this Parable as regarding people who are taught God’s Word. When it sprouts and takes root and grows in them, we can see the growth, even though we don’t understand the workings of The Holy Spirit which are far beyond our comprehension. But when they reach full maturity in Christ, then they are ready to be Harvested.
And we know that there is an Early Harvest of The First Fruits and then later The Full Harvest of the entire crop. The First Resurrection at the Return of Jesus Christ to earth to establish His Millennial Kingdom will be The Harvest of The First Fruits, those who have overcome the deception of Satan while dwelling in flesh bodies. Then at the end of The Millennium will be The Full Harvest at The Great White Throne Judgement, when all who have learned in their angelic bodies how to overcome Satan’s deception will also receive Eternal Life and take part in the Second Resurrection.
Mark 4:30-32 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 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: 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.
Jesus taught another Parable about The Kingdom of God, The Mustard Plant. Though its seed is the smallest of seeds, when it is sown in the soil, it grows into a huge plant with long branches so strong that birds can nest in them.
So even the tiniest seeds can grow into a very large plant, and we don’t know how it does that. Note that “birds” are usually unclean unless the context indicates otherwise, so these “birds” are likely Demonic Spirits nesting in the “branches” of this plant which is like The Kingdom of God.
When we think of all of Christianity and its denominations that have spread all over this world, surely there are some sincere and knowledgeable believers, but also realize that there are very many antichrists mixed in to deceive people from coming to The Truth of God’s Word.
Mark 4:33-34 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Jesus always spoke in Dark Sayings or Parables when He taught in public. But He would take His Disciples aside and explain the meaning of them.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark — Part 6
Mark 4:35-36 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 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.
Jesus had finished preaching to the multitude, and now they were going back to the other shore of the Sea of Galilee in a boat. And other boats were crossing with them.
Mark 4:37-38 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 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?
Jesus was sleeping in the back of the boat on a pillow, when a violent storm came up which terrified His Disciples.
Mark 4:39-41 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
They woke up Jesus because of their fear of the storm, so He Spoke to the Wind and the Sea and said, “Peace, be still.” And then the storm abated and the wind and the sea became calm again. Then Jesus questioned them, “Why were you so afraid? Don’t you have any Faith?” And they were amazed and wondered, “What kind of Man is this Who Commands even the Wind and the Sea?”
Jesus was The Son of God of Man (The SON of Man), therefore He had power and dominion of Heaven and Earth, so that all things in Creation obey Him.
Mark 5:1-7 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
When they reached the other shore, a man with a devil met them who was so ferocious that no one was able to control him even with chains.
Mark 5:8-10 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
Jesus had commanded the devil to come out of him, and then asked the demon, “What is your name?” The demon answered, “My name is Legion, because we are many.” So this poor man was possessed by thousands of devils, and they begged Jesus not to drive them out of the country.
Mark 5:11-13 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
The devils begged Jesus to send them into the herd of swine. So He agreed, but as soon as those pigs realized they were possessed with devils, they ran over the cliff into the sea and drowned. So those pigs went totally insane when they were possessed by Fallen Angels and ran over the cliff to their death.
Mark 5:14-16 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
The swine herders ran into the city and told everybody what had happened. So the people of the city came to see Jesus and to see for themselves, and they found the man who had been possessed sitting calmly wearing clothes and in his right mind. Then the people became afraid and were also concerned about those pigs that had drowned.
Mark 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
Then those people told Jesus to get out of their area. The fact that Jesus had cast out two thousand devils from that wretched man so that now he was of sound mind wasn’t as important to them as all of those pigs that died.
Mark 5:18-20 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
The man who had been freed from those devils begged Jesus to let him follow Him, but Jesus sent him back to his kinfolk and friends for a testimony.
Mark 5:21-24 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
A man named, Jairus, came to Jesus and begged Him to come and heal his daughter who was about to die. Note that Jairus had much faith, because he said, “come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.” So Jesus went with him.
Mark 5:25-28 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
While they were walking, a woman who had an incurable bleeding disorder and had spent all of her money on physicians that had not helped her came to Jesus. And she also had much faith, because she said to herself, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be healed.”
Mark 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
When she touched Jesus’ robe, she was instantly healed. And Jesus didn’t even know about it until after she had touched Him.
Mark 5:30-31 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
The word, “virtue”, is from the Greek, “doo’-nam-is”, which means, “force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself).” Note that this word is where we get our modern day word, DYNAMITE.
Mark 5:32-34 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
When the woman confessed to Jesus that she was the one who had touched Him, He said that her faith had healed her, go in peace. So by our faith in Jesus alone, it is enough for us to receive answers to our prayers which are according to God’s Word.
We do not need to hear an audible voice from Heaven saying, I will, so be it unto you, or any such miraculous sign as that, and it is an error to expect such a thing. We believe that it is impossible for God to lie, therefore what He has taught us in His Word is True and Faithful. We can expect it to be full of DYNAMITE, if we believe and do not doubt.
Mark 5:35-37 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
A man came from the house of Jairus and told him that his daughter had died. Then Jesus told him not to be afraid, just believe. And Jesus only allowed Peter, James, and John to continue with them.
Mark 5:38-39 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
Jesus used the word, “sleep”, to refer to the death of the flesh body, so to Him, real death was The Death of The Soul on The Day of Judgement. So He told the people at the house that the young girl was not dead but just sleeping.
Mark 5:40-43 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Then Jesus went in to the young girl and took her hand, and said, “Talitha cumi.” And she arose and walked. Then Jesus told them to give the girl something to eat. Note that “Talitha Cumi” is two Syriac words signifying “damsel, arise”.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.