The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 163

Vera. II, 12.-To know the mystery. The ner's responsibility with respect to his own Greek verb -yvwv111, to know, is not conversion. found in the best me.nuscripts, in which the Ver. 13.-Xnow ye not this parable 1 worde e.re (vµ,iv .-b µ,urr.-1,p,ov ti,60.-11,), unto and how she.II ye know all the parables 1 you. is given the mystery of the kingd<m1 of that is, '' How, then, can you expect to under- God. Our Lord here explains why he spe.ke stand all parables, as they ought to do who to the mixed multitude in pa.re.bles; namely, are instructed unto the kingdom of heaven?" bece.use most of them were e.s yet incape.ble It is St. Mark alone who recalls and records of receiving the gospel: some would not these words. They a.re striking and vivid, believe it, others reviled it. Therefore our as illustrating the condition of mind of the Lord here encoure.ges his own disciples disciples at this time-slow of apprehension, to see.rch out his words spoken in parables, and yet desirous to learn. and humbly to inquire into their full Ver. 14.-The sower eoweth the word. meaning, tbat so they might become able St. Matthew (xiii. 19) calls it "the word of ministers and efficient preachers of the the kingdom "---Bn expression equivalent to gospel. Moreover, by this he shows that "the gospel of the kingdom," not merely this efficiency cannot be obtained by our moral truth, but spiritual and eternal. own strength, but must be humbly sought Ver. 15.-Straightway cometh Satan. St. for from God. For it is his own gift which Matthew (xiii. 19) says, "then cometh (6 he bestows on the disciples of Christ, and 1rov11pos) the evil one;" the same expression denies to others, whom he leaves to the which our Lord uses in the Lord's Prayer, blindness of their own hearts. It is as and which helps to justify the English though he said, "To you, my disciples, my rendering in the Revised Version there. As apostles, it is given, since you believe in me the seed falling by the wayside is refused as the Messiah, to have continually more by the ,hard and well-trodden ground, and clear revelations from me of the mysteries so is readily picked up by the birds; in of God and of hea.ven, by which you she.II like manner, the seed of God's Word, falling day by de.y incree.se in the knowledge e.nd upon a bee.rt :rendered callous by the custom love of him. But from tile scribes and of sinning, is straightwa.y snatched a.way by others, because tlley will not believe in me " the evil one," urging the heart again to as their own Messie.h, God will take a.way its accustomed sins. Well may we pray to even that small knowledge which they have be delivered from this " evil one." of him and of his kingdom. Yea., he will Vers.16, 17.-And these are they likewise deprive them of all the special privileges whioh are sown on stony ground. This which they have hitherto possessed." But sentence would be better rendered, And the words a.re not limited in their applica- these in like manner are they that are aou,n tion to those who were living on the earth upon the rocky places, where the words when Christ sojourned here. He says to " likewise," or "in like manner," mean all in every age who come within the reach "by a similar mode of interpretation." of his gospel, "Those who come to me with This is the second conclition of soil on whioh a sincere heart and a simple desire to the seed is sown-a better condition than the know the truth, as you, my apostles, are former; for the former plainly refused doing, lo them I will reveal the mysteries the seed, but this, having some soil favour- of my kingdom, and I will help them able to the germination of the seed, receives onwards in tbe path of holiness, by which it, and the seed springs up, though but for they may at length attain to the heavenly a little while. So the rocky ground is liko l<iugdom. But they who have not this pure the heart of thCLt hee.rer who hears the Word desire of truth, but indulge their own lusts of God, and receives it with joy. He is and errors, from them that little knowledge delighted with its beauty, its justice, its of God and of Divine things will by degrees purity; and he breaks forth with holy uffeo- bo token away, and they will become alto- tions. But o.las I he hos more of tho rock gether blind." Observe the expression than of the good soil in his heart. Hence ( lKElvoir 6~ .-ois ({a,), but unto them that are the Wort.l of God cannot strike e. deep root without. There were then, just as there are into his soul. He is not constant in the now, those who were outside the realm of faith. He endures but for a time, and in spiritual things; not caring for, not under- the hour of tempto.tion he falls a.way. stonding, not desirous of spiritual truth. Ver. 18.-And these are they whioh a.re Lest at any time they should be oonverted sown among thorns. According to the best (µ,f,1ro.-e l1r1rr.-p.!,j,a,rr, )-leat ha ply they should authorities, the words are (,c11I liM.o, <Irr,,,), tum again (the verb is e.otive)-and their and others are they, eto. This marks a con- sins should be forgiven them. According to siderable difference between the two chases. the best reading, .-a a.J1-11p.-f,J1,a:r11 is omitted; so This is the third condition of soil; and it is it runs, and it should bo forgiven them. The so much better than the for...aer, inasmuch 1180 of the active verb brings out the sin- Ml the thorns present less obstcv1les to the  158 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. MARK. [a. IV, 1-41.