The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 164

growth of the seed than the rooky ground tritri.,). The light is to be set on " a lamp- does. This similitude indiai.tes the heart of stand," and in like manner the light which that bearer who is beset with the cares of we have received is to shine before men. As this world and the deooitfuln888 of riches Christians, we are Christ's light-bearers. By and the 1uste of other things. this illustration our Lord tenohes that he Ver. 19.-The oares of the world (.-oii was unwilling that the mysteries of this alwvos); litera.lly, of the age; that is, temporal great parable of the sower and of other and secular cares, incident to the age in parables should be conooo.led, but that his which our lot is cast, and which are common disciples should unfold these things to to all. These, like thorns, distress and others as he bad to them, although at trouble, and often wound the soul; while, present they might not be able to receive on the other hand, the care of the soul and them. the thought of heavenly things compose and Ver. 22.-P'or there is nothing hid whioh establish the mind. The deoeitfulness of shall not be manifested. The Greek of the riohes. Riches are aptly compared to latter part of this sentence, according to thorns, because, like thorns, they pierce the the best authorities, runs thus: ,a11 ,.._:i, Yva soul. St. Paul (l Tim. vi. 10) speaks of ,P,,.v•po,8fi; so the true render'.ng of the some who, through the love of riches," have words is, there is nothing hid save that ii pierced themselves through with many should be manifested; that is, there is sorrows." Riches are deoeitful, because they nothing now hid, but in order that it may often seduce the soul from God and from be made known. There is a great prin- salvation, and are the cause of many sins. ciple of the Divine operation here an- "How hardly," says our Lord," shall a rich nounoed by our Lord. Much, ery much, man enter into the kingdom of God I" They is now hidden from us, in nature, in provi- have a tendency to choke the Word of God, dence, and in grace. But it will not and to weaken the power of religion. always be hidden. In natural trings more '' Those are the only true riches," says and more is revealed as science advances, St. Gregory, "whioh make us rich in and in providence and in grace the mys- virtue.'' teries of the kingdom will one • ay, and at Ver. 20.-Those are they that were sown the fitting time, be laid open to all. " What upon the good ground. The good ground I tell you in the darkness, spea ye in the represents the hea.rt which receives the light" (Matt. x. 27). Word of God with joy and desire, and true Ver. 24.-Te.ke heed what ye hear. At- devotion of spirit, and which steadfastly tend, that is, to these words w ich ye henr retains it, whether in prosperity or in ad- from me, that ye may understand them, and versity; and so yields fruit, "some thirts, commit them to memory, and so be able to some si.rty, and some a hnndredfuld." St. communicate them effectually to others. Jerome remarks that, as of the bad gronnd Let none of my words escape you. Our there were three different kinds-the way- Lord bids us to pay the greatest attention side, the rocky, and the thorny ground ; so to his words, and so to digest them that we of the good ground there is a threefold may be able to teach them to others. With gradation indicated in the amount of its what measure ye mete it shall be measured productiveness. There are differences of unto yon : and more shall be given unto you. conditions in the hearts both of those who Our Lord's meaning is clearly this: H you believe and of those who do not believe. freely and plentifully com nunicate and Ver. 21.-Is a candle brought to be put preach my doctrine to others, you ehnll re- under a bushel, etc.? The Greek is t, 11.,',xvos, ceive a corresponding reward. Nay, you and is better rendered the lamp. The shall have a return in far more abundant figure is recorded by St. Matthew (v. 15) measure. For thus the fountains, the more as used by our Lord in his sermon on the water they pour out below, eo much the more mount. It is evident that he repeated his do they receive from above. Here, then, is sayings, and UBed them sometimes in a great encouragement to all faithful teachers di1ferent connection. The lamp is here the of the Word, of whatever kind; that by how light of Divine truth, shining in the person much they give to others in teaching them, of Christ. I, the 1,a,mp brought to be put by so much the more shall they receive of u ~ the bushel f It comes to us. 'l'he wisdom and grace from Christ ; according light in our souls is not of our own kindling; to tLose words of the apostle, " He that it comes to us from God, that we may soweth bountifully shall reap also bounti- manifest it for hie glory. "The bnshel" fully" (2 Cor. ix. 6). (µ.65,os), from the Latin modi"", a measure Ver. 25.-P'or he that hath, to him shall containing flour, was the flour-bin, a part of be given. He that uses his gifts, whether the furniture of every house, as was the tall of intellect or of goodness, bestowed upon le.mpstand with its 11ingle light. St. Luke him by God, to him shall be granted an (viii 16) co.lie it "a vessel" (,ccv.6.--ru aln-b11 increase of those gifts. But from him who l1U, 1v. 1--41.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 159