Mark 4:2

4:2 Parables are often stories (Luke 15:11-32; 18:1-8) but can also be proverbs (Mark 3:24-25; Luke 4:23), similes and metaphors (Matt 5:14; 10:16), riddles (Mark 7:15; 14:58), comparisons (Matt 13:33; Luke 15:3-7), examples (Luke 10:30-35; 12:16-21), or allegories (Mark 4:3-9; 12:1-12).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Mar 4:2 . πολλά : a vague expression, but implying that the staple of that day’s teaching consisted of parables, probably all more or less of the same drift as the parable of the Sower , indicating that in spite of the ever-growing crowds Jesus was dissatisfied with the results of His popular ministry in street and synagogue = much seed-sowing, little fruit. The formation of the disciple-circle had revealed that dissatisfaction in another way. Probably some of the parables spoken in the boat have not been preserved, the Sower serving as a sample. ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ α . In the teaching of that day He said inter alia what follows.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

(2) In his doctrine.—Better, in His teaching.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. by parables] (i) The Greek word thus rendered denotes (a) a placing beside, (b) a comparing, a comparison. In Hellenistic Greek it became coextensive with the Hebrew mâshâl = similitude. (ii) In this sense it is applied

(1) In the Old Testament, to—

(a) The shortest proverbs: as 1Sa_10:12, “Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?” 1Sa_24:13, “As saith the proverb of the ancients;” 2Ch_7:20, “I will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.”

(b) Dark prophetic utterances: as Num_23:7, “And he took up his parable and said;” Eze_20:49, “Ah Lord God! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?”

(c) Enigmatic maxims: as Psa_78:2, “I will open my mouth in a parable;” Pro_1:6, “the words of the wise and their dark sayings.”

(2) In the Gospels, to—

(a) Short sayings: as Luk_4:23, “Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself.”

(b) A comparison without a narrative: as Mar_13:28, “Now learn its parable of the fig tree” (see note in loc.).

(c) Comparisons with narratives of earthly things with heavenly, as the Parables of our Lord.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And he taught them many things by parables,.... As he sat in the ship, and they stood on shore;

and said unto them in his doctrine; as he was teaching them, and delivering unto them the doctrine he had received from his Father: though the Jews say (c), that

"the Israelites will have no need , "of the doctrine of the king Messiah, in the time to come"; because it is said, "unto him shall the Gentiles seek", and not the Israelites.''

But it appears from hence, and many other places, that the Israelites both stood in need of his doctrine, and sought after it; and very excellent it was; the doctrine of God, and of the grace of God; and was spoken with authority, and in such a manner as never man spake, and which he delivered to his apostles; and which, if ministers bring not with them, should not be bid God speed.

(c) Bereshit Rabba, sect 98. fol. 85. 3.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Ver. 2. He taught them many things by parables] Ministers must likewise fetch comparisons from things most familiar and best known to their hearers, as the prophets from fishes when they have to deal with the Egyptians; from flocks and herds, when with the Arabians; from merchandise and navigation, when with the Tyrians and Sidonians, &c.; and as our Saviour from fishing, when he dealeth with fishers; from sowing, when with seedsmen, &c.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. In his doctrine — That is, in his teaching.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He taught them many things in parables. This was a new system of teaching. For some months he had taught directly. But as he found that this direct teaching was met in some quarters with unbelief and scorn, he abandoned it for the less direct method of the parable. The parable (parabolh) is etymologically the setting forth of one thing by the side of another, so that the one may be compared with the other. The parable is the truth presented by a similitude. It differs from the proverb inasmuch as it is necessarily figurative. The proverb may be figurative, but it need not of necessity be figurative. The parable is often an expanded proverb, and the proverb a condensed parable. There is but one Hebrew word for the two English words "parable" and "proverb," which may account for their being frequently interchanged. The proverb (Latin) is a common sentiment generally accepted. The parable (Greek) is something put by the side of something else. Theologically, it is something in the world of nature which finds its counterpart in the world of spirit. The parable attracts attention, and so becomes valuable as a test of character. It reveals the seekers after truth, those who love the light. It withdraws the light from those who love darkness. And said unto them in his doctrine (en th didach autou); literally, in his teaching, n amely, that particular mode of teaching which he bad just introduced; "he taught them" (edidasken). He said, "in his teaching" (en th didach autou).

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He taught them many things by parables - After the usual manner of the eastern nations, to make his instructions more agreeable to them, and to impress them the more upon attentive hearers. A parable signifies not only a simile or comparison, and sometimes a proverb, but any kind of instructive speech, wherein spiritual things are explained and illustrated by natural, Prov. i, 6. To understand a proverb and the interpretation - The proverb is the literal sense, the interpretation is the spiritual resting in the literal sense killeth, but the spiritual giveth life.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

2. ἐδίδασκεν. The imperf. is again accurate; cf. Mar 1:21; Mar 1:32; Mar 1:35; Mar 1:45, Mar 2:2; Mar 2:13, Mar 3:2; Mar 3:11; Mar 3:23. Both A.V. and R.V. make πολλά a cogn. acc., but it is probably adverbial as usual, meaning “often,” i.e. “in many parables,” in paravolis multis (d). See on Mar 3:2. Parables appear to have become more freq. as Christ’s audiences became larger and more mixed in character. Of these Mk gives us only four, of which only one, the Seed growing secretly (Mar 4:26-29), is peculiar to his Gospel. Parables instructed the real disciples, without harming the careless, and without giving openings to hostile listeners. See Hastings’ D.B. art. “Parable.”

ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ. In the course of His teaching. Here and Mar 12:38 only; 2Jn 1:9 is different. In the Gospels, διδασκαλία occurs only in Mar 7:7 = Mat 15:9. Burkitt calls attention to the fact that the Sower, the Seed growing secretly, and the Mustard-seed “are extraordinarily appropriate in the setting given them by S. Mark. The seed had been sown, the first harvest of disciples had just been reaped, although much of what had been said had fallen on deaf or forgetful ears.”

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2.] Out from among the πολλά, the great mass of His teaching, one parable is selected, which He spoke during it—ἐν τῇ διδ. αὐτοῦ.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. ἐδίδασκεν—he was teaching. The impf. describes the act in its progress. ἐν παραβολαῖς—in parables.2 Here we have the parable drawn out into a story. ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ—in his teaching. The word denotes the act of teaching, not the doctrine, or thing taught. ἀκούετε—hear, or listen. It calls attention to what follows, after a manner common to our Lord.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.