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Mark 4

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.

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.

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?

What does Mark 4:9 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 4:9, "And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," is spoken by Jesus after delivering the Parable of the Sower to a crowd alongside the Sea of Galilee. The literal meaning is straightforward: if you have the ability to hear, then listen.

However, the deeper significance of this phrase extends beyond mere auditory reception.

It is an idiomatic expression that calls for attentive and thoughtful listening, with an emphasis on understanding and internalizing the lessons being imparted. Jesus is urging his audience to be open to receiving divine truth and to engage actively with the spiritual lessons he is teaching.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

The historical background of this verse lies in Jesus' ministry within the region of Galilee in the first century.

At that time, parables were a common method of teaching, and Jesus frequently used them as a tool to convey complex spiritual truths in a more accessible form.

Mark 4 contains one of Jesus' most well-known parables, which addresses the diverse responses people have to the word of God.

The call to hear, found in Mark 4:9, is a challenge to the audience to not only listen on the surface but to delve deeply into the teaching, seeking to comprehend and accept it.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Mark 4:9 has been interpreted in various ways:

It suggests the idea of spiritual discernment and the necessity of a willing heart to understand God's message.
Some theologians see this as an illustration of prevenient grace, wherein God enables individuals to be receptive to the truth.
Others interpret it as an appeal for spiritual vigilance and readiness to receive the word of God, implying that not all who hear will truly understand.
Calvinist interpretations might see this verse as hinting at the doctrine of election, where only those chosen to understand will indeed ‘hear’ the message.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse reminds us to:

Be active listeners, seeking to genuinely understand the messages that are important in life, such as moral teachings, advice, and constructive criticism.
Approach scripture and spiritual teachings with an open heart, ready to be transformed by its truths.
Recognize the value in being patient and diligent in seeking wisdom and understanding in all areas of life.

Cross-References

Matthew 13:9 - "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
Revelation 2:7 - "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
Luke 8:8 - "And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold.

And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Language Study

The key phrase "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" clearly focuses on the verb "to hear" (Greek: ἀκούω, akouō).

In the original Greek, this term indicates not just the physical action of hearing but also the mental process of understanding and considering the message conveyed.

The structure of the saying in Greek is a Semitic idiom, which accentuates the necessity of perceptive and responsive hearing as opposed to mere auditory function.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures and religious traditions, the act of listening is often symbolic of wisdom and comprehension.

Similar calls to listen or pay attention can be found in various religious texts, like the Hebrew Shema from Judaism ("Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one").

Such injunctions emphasize the importance of attentiveness to divine or philosophical teachings.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the act of listening involves not just hearing sounds but also the cognitive processes of recognizing, discerning, and understanding them.

Neuroscientific studies on hearing and comprehension can shed light on the complexities of how we process auditory information, which aligns with the biblical emphasis on active and discerning listening.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have offered varying interpretations of this verse:

John Calvin saw this admonition as indicative of the need for spiritual earnestness and the role of the Holy Spirit in giving believers the 'ears' to understand spiritual matters.
Matthew Henry's commentary underscores the responsibilities that come with the ability to hear, in that we are obliged to listen and act upon divine truth when we encounter it.
More contemporary Biblical scholars, like David E.

Garland, consider it an invitation for self-examination, encouraging readers to ponder their own receptiveness to God's word.

Mark 4

Mark 4

What does Mark 4:9 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 4:9 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?