The Parable of the Growing Seed
Mark 4:26-29 NLT
Mark 4:26
Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.”
This parable happens to be unique to Mark because it doesn’t appear in the other gospels. Once again we find a parable that uses the current day illustration of a farmer who plants seed. As a cultural note, Palestinian farmers of that day began their workday in the evening and not in the morning. The climate in that area may be hot during the day, but freezing at night. The barren area by the Dead Sea may reach temperatures as high as 122 degrees. (1)
Jesus is comparing the things of God to the everyday world of the farmer. He is placing emphasis on the mysterious power of a seed to produce crops. The farmer simply has to plant it and while he also has to weed and water, the growing is done by itself, and no one knows how this happens. This is compared to the kingdom of God which remains hidden and somewhat unclear until one day it “bursts forth in its full glory”.
The harvest spoken of is also seen in Joel 3:13 where the Lord says thru the prophet, “Swing the sickle, for the harvest time has come. Come, tread the grapes, for the winepress is full. The storage vats are overflowing with the wickedness of these people.” Both the harvest spoken of in the parable and the harvest referred to in Joel are one in the same, the end time judgment of man. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In his name & for his glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resources: Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament, Copyright 2004; Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary of the New Testament, Copyright 2002.
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