The kingdom of God
This phrase is central to Jesus' teachings and appears frequently throughout the Gospels. In Greek, "kingdom" is "basileia," which implies not just a physical realm but the reign or rule of God. The "kingdom of God" refers to God's sovereign rule over all creation, both in the present and in the future fulfillment of His divine plan. Historically, the Jewish people anticipated a messianic kingdom that would restore Israel. Jesus, however, redefines this expectation, emphasizing a spiritual kingdom that begins in the hearts of believers and extends to all nations.

is like
The phrase "is like" introduces a simile, a common teaching method used by Jesus to convey complex spiritual truths through simple, everyday imagery. In Greek, "is like" is "homoia," which suggests a comparison that invites listeners to explore deeper meanings. Jesus often used parables to reveal truths to those willing to seek understanding while concealing them from those with hardened hearts.

a man
The "man" in this parable represents anyone who participates in the work of God, particularly in spreading the Gospel. In the context of Jesus' audience, this would resonate with the agrarian society familiar with the role of a sower. Theologically, it underscores the partnership between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the mission of the Church.

who scatters seed
The act of scattering seed is emblematic of sharing the Word of God. The Greek word for "scatter" is "ballo," meaning to throw or cast. This imagery suggests a generous and widespread distribution of the Gospel message, without discrimination or reservation. Historically, sowing was a hopeful act, trusting that the seed would take root and produce a harvest. Spiritually, it reflects the faith required in evangelism, trusting God for the growth.

on the ground
The "ground" symbolizes the hearts of people who hear the Word. In the parable of the sower earlier in Mark 4, different types of soil represent different responses to the Gospel. The Greek word "ge" for "ground" can mean earth or land, indicating the universality of the Gospel's reach. This phrase emphasizes the readiness and openness required for the Word to take root and flourish, highlighting the importance of preparing one's heart to receive God's truth.

(26) As if a man should cast seed into the ground.--What follows has the special interest of being the only parable peculiar to St. Mark, one therefore which had escaped the manifest eagerness of St. Matthew and St. Luke to gather up all that they could find of this form of our Lord's teaching. It runs to some extent parallel with the parable of the Sower, as though it had been given as another and easier lesson in the art of understanding parables; and if we assume a connection between St. Mark and St. Peter, it may be regarded as having in this way made a special impression on the mind of the Apostle. Like many other parables, it finds an interpretation in the analogous phenomena of the growth of the Kingdom (1) in the world at large, (2) in the heart of each individual. Speaking roughly, the Sower is, as before, either the Son of Man or the preacher of His word, and the ground falls under one or other of the heads just defined in the previous parable, with, perhaps, a special reference to the good ground.

Verses 26-28. - This parable is recorded by St. Mark alone. It differs greatly from the parable of the sower, although both of them are founded upon the imagery of the seed cast into the ground. In both cases the seed represents the doctrine of the gospel; the field represents the hearers; the harvest the end of the world, or perhaps the death of each individual hearer. So is the kingdom of God, in its progress from its establishment to its completion. The sower casts seed upon the earth, not without careful preparation of the soil, but without further sowing. And then he pursues his ordinary business. He sleeps by night; he rises by day; he has leisure for other employment; his work as a sower is finished. Meanwhile the seed germinates and grows by its own hidden virtues, assisted by the earth, the sun, and the air, the sower knowing nothing of the mysterious process. First comes the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. Such is the preaching of the gospel. Here, therefore, the sower represents human responsibility in the work. The vitality of the seed is independent of his labour. The earth develops the plant from the seed by those natural but mysterious processes through which the Creator is ever working. So in spiritual things, the sower commences the work, and the grace of God perfects it in the heart which receives these influences. The earth beareth fruit of herself. In like manner, by degrees, the faith of Christ increases through the preaching of the gospel; and the Church grows and expands. And what is true of the Church collectively is true also of each individual member of the Church. For the heart of each faithful Christian produces first the blade, when it conceives good desires and begins to put them into action; then the ear, when it brings them to good effect; and lastly the full corn in the ear, when it brings them to their full maturity and perfection. Hence our Lord in this parable intimates that they who labour for the conversion of souls ought, with much patience, to wait for the fruit of 'their labour, as the husbandman waits with much patience for the precious fruits of the earth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


[Jesus] also said,
ἔλεγεν (elegen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“The
ἡ (hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

is
ἐστὶν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

like
Οὕτως (Houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

a man
ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

who scatters
βάλῃ (balē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.

seed
σπόρον (sporon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4703: Seed for sowing. From speiro; a scattering, i.e. seed.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ground.
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.


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NT Gospels: Mark 4:26 He said The Kingdom of God (Mar Mk Mr)