"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
Chapter Four
From a boat facing a great multitude on the shore of the Sea of Galilee
Jesus taught many parables, such as the parable of The Soils (1-9).
Privately, Jesus explained why He taught in parables (10-12), and then
revealed the meaning of the parable of The Soils (13-20). Mark goes on
to record several other parables: The Lamp (21-25), The Growing Seed
(26-29), and The Mustard Seed (30-32). Jesus cautioned the masses to give
heed to the parables, but only in private did He tell His disciple what
they meant (9,23-25,33-34). At evening, as they crossed the Sea of
Galilee, Jesus calmed the stormy winds and waves, much to the amazement
of His disciples (35-41).
POINTS TO PONDER
- The purpose and primary theme of the parables of Jesus
- The importance of listening when given opportunity to hear the Word
- The inverse relationship between fear and faith
REVIEW QUESTIONS
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- What are the main points of this chapter?
- The parable of The Soils - Mk 4:1-20
- The parables of The Lamp, The Growing Seed, The Mustard Seed - Mk
4:21-34
- The calming of the winds and waves on the Sea of Galilee - Mk 4:35-41
- What was the first parable of Jesus recorded by Mark? (3-9)
- The parable of The Soils (also known as the parable of The Sower)
- What exhortation did Jesus give after telling the parable? Why? (9,
23-25)
- "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
- One would be judged by how he listened; giving heed would grant more
opportunity
- Why did Jesus speak in parables? (10-12, cf. Mt 13:11-16)
- Because many who heard Jesus were not really interested in truth
- To whom did Jesus explain the parables? Where? (10,33-34)
- To the twelve; in private
- What was the main theme of the parables? (11, cf. Mt 13:11)
- The mysteries of the kingdom of God
- What miracle did Jesus perform in this chapter? (35-39)
- He calmed the wind and waves on the Sea of Galilee
- To what did Jesus attribute the disciples' fear of the storm? (40)
- Their lack of faith