Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Mark
Chapter 4: Peace, Be Still
Mark 4 turns to the teaching of the kingdom and the power of the King. Jesus tells the parable of the sower, where the same seed, the word of God, falls on four kinds of hearts and only the good ground bears fruit, and He calls, 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.' He teaches that the light is not to be hidden, that the kingdom grows secretly like seed a man scatters while he sleeps, and that from the smallest beginning, a grain of mustard seed, it becomes the greatest of all. Then, crossing the sea at evening, a great storm rises while He sleeps, and the terrified disciples wake Him: 'Master, carest thou not that we perish?' He rises and speaks to the wind and waves, 'Peace, be still,' and there is 'a great calm,' so that the disciples ask, 'What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?' The chapter presses the word into the heart and reveals the One who rules the storm as only God can.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of Mark chapter 4. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Here Jesus teaches the parable of the sower, the growth of the kingdom, and stills the storm with a word. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
Four Kinds of Soil
The same word falls on different hearts; only good ground bears fruit.
Take Heed What Ye Hear
Light is meant to shine, and what we hear will be measured back to us.
The Kingdom Grows
From secret growth and a tiny seed comes the greatest of all.
Peace, Be Still
The wind and sea obey Him: what manner of man is this?
The Sower Soweth the Word (Mark 4:1-20)
The same seed falls on four kinds of soil, and the harvest depends not on the seed but on the heart that receives it.
He That Hath Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear
"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. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 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. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 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. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 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: 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. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. 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. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 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. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 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. 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."
Word Study
"the word," Greek logos (λόγος). Jesus interprets His own parable: "The sower soweth the word." The seed is the logos, the message of God, the gospel of the kingdom. This is the key to the whole parable: the seed is always good, and always the same. The difference in harvest is not the seed but the soil, the condition of the heart that receives it. The word has life and power in it, as a seed does, but it bears fruit only where it is truly received into an honest and good heart.
Explanation
The parable of the sower is, in Mark, the key to all the parables -- "know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?" The same seed of the word falls on four hearts, and the harvest depends on the soil: hardened, shallow, crowded, or good. The path, the rocks, and the thorns each receive the word but yield nothing; only the good ground bears fruit thirty, sixty, a hundredfold. The parable both reveals and hides -- opening the kingdom to the hungry and veiling it from the scornful -- and it presses every hearer to ask what kind of ground he is.
Gospel Focus
This first and foundational parable is about how we hear the word of God. A sower scatters seed, and it falls on four kinds of ground, picturing four kinds of hearts that hear the same gospel. The "way side" is the hard, trodden heart: the word never sinks in, and "Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word." The "stony ground" is the shallow heart: it receives the word "with gladness" but "have no root," so when "affliction or persecution" comes, it withers, emotion without depth does not last. The "thorns" are the crowded heart: the word is real, but "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things" grow up and "choke the word." And the "good ground" is the honest, receptive heart that hears, receives, and "bring[s] forth fruit," thirty, sixty, a hundredfold. The searching question is not whether you have heard the gospel, but what kind of soil your heart is. Notice the three great enemies of fruitfulness: the devil snatching the word from the careless, persecution scorching the shallow, and worldly cares and riches choking the crowded. Each is a warning to examine our own hearing. And notice that the good ground is marked by fruit, not merely by an emotional response or a quick profession, but by a life changed and bearing lasting fruit. Jesus closes with the recurring call, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." The word is being sown still; the question is how you will receive it. Break up the hard ground of your heart, clear out the thorns of worldliness, and let the word take deep root, that it may bear a harvest for God.
The Kingdom Grows (Mark 4:21-34)
The light must shine, and the kingdom grows by a hidden, God-given power from the smallest of beginnings.
First the Blade, Then the Ear
"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? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 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. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 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: 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. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
Word Study
"of herself," Greek automate (αὐτομάτη). The word means by itself, of its own accord, and gives us the English "automatic." The earth "bringeth forth fruit of herself", the growth of the seed is a hidden, self-acting power the farmer cannot produce or explain: he "knoweth not how." So it is with the kingdom of God: once the word is truly sown in a heart, God gives a life and growth that man cannot manufacture. We sow and we wait; the increase is God's. The mystery of spiritual growth, secret, gradual, sure, is the work of God, not the achievement of man.
Explanation
A cluster of seed-parables teaches the kingdom's hidden ways: a lamp is not lit to be hidden, so what is concealed now will be revealed; the seed grows secretly while the farmer sleeps, for the kingdom advances by God's power, not human striving; and the tiny mustard seed becomes the greatest of herbs. Mark gathers these to comfort disciples discouraged by small beginnings and slow growth. The kingdom does not arrive with visible pomp but works quietly, irresistibly, like seed in the dark earth -- unimpressive at first, unstoppable at last.
Gospel Focus
Three short sayings unfold the life of the kingdom. First, the lamp: a candle is meant "to be set on a candlestick," not hidden "under a bushel." The truth Jesus is planting in His disciples is not to be concealed but to shine; and "there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested", in the end all is brought to light. With it comes a solemn word about hearing: "Take heed what ye hear... unto you that hear shall more be given," for those who receive and act on the word are given more, while those who neglect it lose even what they had. How we treat the word we hear determines how much more we will be given. Second, the seed growing secretly, a parable found only in Mark. A man scatters seed and goes about his life, sleeping and rising, "and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself." This is a picture of deep comfort: the growth of God's kingdom, in the world and in the soul, is God's own quiet work, not dependent on our anxious effort. We sow the word and trust; God gives the increase, "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear," in His own order and time, until the harvest. Third, the mustard seed: from the tiniest beginning, "less than all the seeds," comes the greatest of herbs, spreading branches where the birds may lodge. The kingdom that began with a handful of Galilean disciples would fill the earth. Do not despise small beginnings or grow discouraged by slow growth. The word you sow, in your children, your neighbors, your own heart, is living seed, and God is at work in it by a power you cannot see. Sow faithfully, let your light shine, and trust the God who gives the growth.
What Manner of Man Is This? (Mark 4:35-41)
A furious storm meets a sleeping Saviour, and His single word to the sea reveals that the wind and waves obey their Maker.
Even the Wind and the Sea Obey Him
"And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 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. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 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? 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. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Word Study
"be still," Greek pephimoso (πεφίμωσο). The word means "be muzzled," "be silenced," the term used for putting a muzzle on an animal. Jesus speaks to the raging sea as one commands a wild beast to be quiet, and it obeys instantly: "the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." This is the language of absolute authority over creation. The Old Testament says of the LORD, "he maketh the storm a calm" (Psalm 107:29); only God rules the sea with a word. When the wind and waves obey Jesus, the disciples are right to ask in awe, "What manner of man is this?" The answer is that He is more than a man; He is God in flesh.
Explanation
Jesus, asleep on a pillow in the stern, is wakened by terrified disciples and rebukes the wind and sea with a word -- "Peace, be still" -- and there is "a great calm." The question they ask, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" has only one answer: it is the LORD, for the Psalms declare that God alone stills the raging sea (Psalm 107:29). Fully man, He sleeps from weariness; fully God, He commands the storm. Mark lets the miracle preach the Gospel's whole thesis -- the Man in the boat is the Son of God.
Gospel Focus
After a day of teaching, Jesus says, "Let us pass over unto the other side," and the disciples set out with Him. Then "there arose a great storm of wind," so fierce that the ship was filling and these experienced fishermen feared for their lives. And where is Jesus? "In the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow." His sleep shows His true humanity, wearied by a long day's ministry, and His perfect peace, resting in the Father's care even in the storm. The disciples wake Him with a cry that is half faith and half reproach: "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" How often we, too, in trouble accuse the Lord of not caring, when He is nearer than we know. Jesus rises and, with a word, masters the chaos: "Peace, be still." He does not wrestle with the storm or wait it out; He commands it, and instantly "there was a great calm." Then He gently rebukes His disciples: "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" Their fear had crowded out their trust, though the Lord of the sea was in the boat with them. And the miracle drives them to the great question: "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" The Scriptures answer it plainly, for it is God who "maketh the storm a calm," and God alone rules the raging of the sea. The One asleep on the pillow is the One who spoke the seas into being; He is God come in flesh. Here is deep comfort for every believer in every storm. The same Jesus is in the boat with His people; He may seem asleep, but He never ceases to care, and His word can bring a great calm in a moment. When the waves rise and you fear you will perish, do not accuse Him of indifference; wake to His presence, trust the Lord of the storm, and hear Him say, "Peace, be still."
Chapter 4 in Review
Mark 4 joins the teaching of the kingdom to the power of the King. In the parable of the sower, the same word falls on four kinds of hearts, and only the good ground, the honest heart that receives and keeps the word, bears fruit, while the devil, persecution, and worldly cares rob the rest. Jesus teaches that the light must shine, that we must "take heed what ye hear," and that the kingdom grows by a hidden, God-given power, secretly like seed a man scatters while he sleeps, and greatly from the smallest of beginnings like a mustard seed. Then, crossing the sea, He stills a raging storm with a word, "Peace, be still," and there is "a great calm," so that the disciples ask, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
For the Apostolic reader the chapter binds the word and the wonder together to reveal Christ. The parables press one urgent thing: how we hear the word of God decides everything, so guard your heart to be good ground, and trust that the growth of the kingdom is God's own quiet, certain work, not the fruit of our anxious striving. And the storm answers the question the whole Gospel keeps raising: who is Jesus? The One who muzzles the sea with a word is the LORD of Psalm 107, who "maketh the storm a calm", God come in flesh. He is truly man, weary and asleep, and truly God, ruler of wind and wave. This is the Saviour in your boat. Let His word take deep root and bear fruit; and when the storms of life rise and you are tempted to think He does not care, remember that the Lord of the sea is with you, near enough to speak peace to your fear. "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"
- The seed is the word, always good; the harvest depends on the soil of the heart (4:14-20).
- Beware the three enemies of fruitfulness: the devil, persecution, and worldly cares (4:15-19).
- Take heed how you hear; to the one who receives, more is given (4:24-25).
- The kingdom grows by a hidden, God-given power we cannot manufacture (4:27-28).
- From the smallest beginnings God brings the greatest growth (4:31-32).
- Jesus stills the storm as only God can; He is Lord of wind and sea (4:39, 41; Psalm 107:29).
Questions for Reflection
- What kind of soil is your heart when you hear the word of God?
- Which enemy, hardness, shallowness, or worldly cares, most threatens your fruitfulness?
- Do you trust God to give the growth, or strive anxiously as if it depended on you?
- In your storms, do you accuse Christ of not caring, or trust the Lord of the sea who is with you?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. The word as living seed: 1 Peter 1:23; James 1:21; Isaiah 55:10-11. Hearing and doing the word: James 1:22-25; Luke 8:18. God ruling and stilling the sea: Psalm 107:23-30; Psalm 89:9; Psalm 65:7. Isaiah's word on seeing but not perceiving: Isaiah 6:9-10. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- The parable of the sower and its explanation: Mark 4:1-20; Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:4-15; Isaiah 6:9-10.
- The lamp, the growing seed, and the mustard seed: Mark 4:21-34; Matthew 13:31-32; Luke 8:16-18; 13:18-19.
- The stilling of the storm: Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25; Psalm 107:23-30.