Explanation of Mark 4
By Rev. John Clowes M.A.
Explaining the Inner Meaning of Mark 4
Verses 1-9. FROM the knowledges of good and truth, and the doctrine thence derived, the LORD teaches, that the reception of His Word is fourfold.
Verse 4. First, as it is received by those who have no real concern about truth, being in phantasies and false persuasions which pervert it.
Verses 5, 6. Secondly, as it is received by those who have a concern about truth, but not for its own sake, thus not interiorly, therefore the truth perishes, being adulterated by the lusts of self-love.
Verse 7. Thirdly, as it is received by those who are in the cravings of evil, which suffocate the truth.
Verse 8. Fourthly, as it is received by those who, from the LORD, love the truths which are in the Word, and from Him do them.
Verse 9. Which four-fold reception of the Word ought to be well attended to, both as to doctrine and practice, by all who are of the church.
Verses 10, 11, 12. Otherwise the Word will be understood only according to its literal or external sense, and not according to its spiritual and internal sense, which latter sense is revealed to those who are in the good of charity and the truth of faith from the LORD, but not to others, lest they should profane it.
Verse 13. And if this four-fold reception of the Word be not understood, it is impossible for the spiritual and internal sense of the Word to be seen.
Verses 14, 15. Thus it cannot be seen that when the Word is received by those who have no concern about the eternal truth, it is immediately darkened and deprived of life by infernal spirits who are in falsities, so that it produces no effect on the love and life.
Verses 16, 17. And when it is received by those who have a concern about truth, but not for its own sake, thus not interiorly, it excites indeed external delight, arising from external affection, but whereas it has no place in the will, it cannot stand the assault of evils and falsities.
Verses 18, 19. And that when it is received by those who are in the cravings of evil, it is suffocated and rendered unfruitful by worldly anxieties and the lust of gain.
Verse 20. But that when it is received by those who, from the LORD, love the truths which are in the Word, it affects first the will, and thence the understanding, and thus the life, in each according to reception.
Verse 21. That the light of truth therefore ought not to be subjected to the things of man's natural will, but to be exalted by affection in the intellectual mind, and thus to guide and direct the things of the will.
Verse 22. Inasmuch as all evils and falsities must, sooner or later, be manifested to those who are in them, and likewise all goods and truths to those who are in them.
Verse 23. Which circumstance ought to be well attended to.
Verse 24. Caution also is necessary respecting the reception of truth and good in the will, since those heavenly principles are imparted to man from the LORD, in proportion as man exercises them towards others.
Verse 25. The same heavenly principles also are multiplied and increased, in the other life, with those who have cherished them in this life, whilst they are taken away from those who, through the love of what is evil and false, have not cherished them.
Verses 26-30. For heaven is implanted in all who receive truths and goods, not from themselves, but from the LORD, yet who cooperate in this reception as if it was from themselves, since without such cooperation there can be no reception.
Verses 27, 28. Every man, therefore, in the course of regeneration, is alternately in a state of natural thought and spiritual thought, and his regeneration is accomplished whilst he is unconscious of its progress, being effected by scientifics, by the truths of faith, and by the goods of charity conjointly.
Verse 29. Thus the church is implanted in man, both in general and in particular.
Verses 30, 31, 32. Beginning from a little spiritual good by truth, because at that time man thinks to do good from himself, but as truth is conjoining to love, it increases, and when it is conjoined, then things intellectual are multiplied in scientifics.
Verses 33, 34. Which increase of truth lies concealed under the letter of the Word, and is not revealed to those who are in evils and falsities, but only to those who are in goods and truths.
Verses 35, 36, 37. That when the men of the church are in a natural state, and not yet in a spiritual one, the natural affections, which are the various lusts arising from self-love and the love of the world, are in uproar, and present various emotions of the mind.
Verses 38, 39. On which occasion it appears as if the LORD was absent, but when they come from a natural state into a spiritual one, then these emotions cease, and the mind is rendered tranquil, the tempestuous emotions of the natural man being appeased by the LORD.
Verses 40, 41. Thus the men of the church are instructed not to be fearful, but to put their whole trust in the LORD, and adore Him, who thus subdues hell and its cravings.
Mark 4
1
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.
2
And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
3
Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
4
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.
5
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
6
But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
7
And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8
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.
9
And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
10
And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11
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:
12
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.
13
And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
15
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.
16
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17
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.
18
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19
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.
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.
21
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?
22
For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23
If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24
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.
25
For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
26
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
27
And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
28
For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
29
But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
30
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31
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:
32
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.
33
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
34
But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
35
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36
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.
37
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38
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?
39
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.
40
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
