All things bear record · Mark

Mark 4

6 witnesses of Christ here.

Sower

Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: Mark 4:3–20

In the parable of the sower, the seed is the word and the soils are different hearts. Jesus Himself is the first sower of the gospel word, and elsewhere He names the Son of man as the sower of good seed.

AttestedEchoallegory_parable

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • a parallel account in Matthew 13:3-23 — Matthew's account of the sower
  • the same title in Matthew 13:37 — He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man (parable of the tares)
  • alluded to by Alma 33:22-23 — Alma teaches to plant the word, belief in the Son of God, in the heart as a seed

Jehovah

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: Mark 4:11–12

Jesus explains His parables with words from Isaiah 6, where the LORD commissioned Isaiah. John says Isaiah saw Christ's glory in that vision, so Jesus is quoting words He Himself spoke as Jehovah.

AttestedProphecy or typeHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 — Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not
  • interpreted by John 12:39-41 — These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him
  • a parallel account in Matthew 13:13-15 — Matthew's fuller quotation

Second Coming

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; Mark 4:26–29

The seed grows quietly until harvest, when the sower puts in the sickle. Scripture pictures the Lord of the harvest reaping the earth at His coming.

AttestedEchoallegory_parable

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • alludes to Joel 3:13 — Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe
  • alluded to by Revelation 14:14-16 — One like unto the Son of man... thrust in thy sickle, and reap

Ministry of Christ

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. Mark 4:33–34

Jesus teaches the crowds in parables, fitted to what they can bear, and explains everything privately to His disciples. Matthew says this fulfilled the psalm about opening the mouth in parables.

AttestedProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Jehovah

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. Mark 4:35–41

Jesus rebukes the wind and says to the sea, Peace, be still, and it obeys. The psalms praise Jehovah as the one who stills the storm, so the disciples' question has one answer: this man is the LORD of creation.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • alludes to Psalm 107:28-29 — He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still
  • alludes to Psalm 89:9 — Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them
  • a parallel account in Matthew 8:23-27 — Matthew's account
  • a parallel account in Luke 8:22-25 — Luke's account

Jonah as a Type of Christ

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. Mark 4:37–38

Like Jonah, Jesus sleeps in a ship during a great storm while frightened sailors wake Him. But where Jonah had to be thrown overboard, Jesus simply commands the sea; He is the greater Jonah.

AttestedEchoAn event that is a type of Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • typified by Jonah 1:4-6 — A mighty tempest; Jonah fast asleep in the sides of the ship
  • interpreted by Matthew 12:40-41 — Jesus names Jonah as a sign of Himself: a greater than Jonas is here