Foundations: New Testament - Markনমুনা

Mark 4 records three parables and one miracle by Jesus. Each parable teaches key characteristics of the kingdom of God. The first one, also included in Luke’s Gospel, is the parable of the four soils. Seeds were scattered on four different types of soil, only one of which was capable of yielding a healthy plant. Because this teaching was in the form of a parable, the disciples who heard it asked Jesus for an explanation. Before giving them one, He reminded them that because of their relationship with Him, they would be able to understand His parables, unlike people apart from Him. Jesus explained that the seed in the parable is the Word of God, taught by the sower. The different ways people hear and respond to the gospel indicate the types of soil in the parable. People who respond positively to God’s Word are those who accept it and put its truths into action. 

In the second parable the lamp represents the truths Jesus’ disciples would be responsible for telling the world, a responsibility Jesus wanted them to take seriously. The parable of the growing seed continued the image He used in the first parable, this time teaching that God would make sure His kingdom grew and spread. Even though His kingdom came from humble beginnings, God would cause it to grow. It would continue to do so as the gospel spread throughout the world and across generations. 

In verse 35 Mark shifted from a series of teachings to a series of miracles. Jesus’ calming of the storm showed His power over creation, a power only God could possess. The same voice that spoke creation into being calmed it with just a word, leaving the disciples in a state of fear and awe as their understanding
of Jesus continued to grow.