GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MARK
Interpreting the Seed: Mark 4,10-25
We have seen how these verses divide into three parts: there are two teachings to the disciples (introduced by "he said to them" in verses 13 and 21) (C in the overview) with the explanation of the parable (3,15-20) in the middle (D in the overview).
About the Parables: 4,10-13
We have noted the change of place and audience in verse 10. This is the first mention of the Twelve as a group (3,14). Private instruction now becomes quite common. See, for example, 7,17 or 9,28 & 35.
What might Jesus mean by "the mystery of the Kingdom of God" in verse 11? The idea is common in the writings of St Paul: Ephesians 1,9 and 3,9 for example, and look also at Romans 16,25-27. "Inside" and "outside" we saw earlier (3,31)
The quotation in 4,12 is taken from Isaiah 6,9-10. See also John 12,40 and Acts 28,26-27. Look at the context of the quotation in Isaiah chapter 6. Why is this quotation so important to early Christians?
In light of this, consider the implications of verse 13.
Then have a look at my response.
The Word is Sown: 4,14-20
Who could the sower be in verse 14? How has the emphasis of the parable changed since the original story?
As with the original parable, make a list of the various sowings and their fate. To whom is Satan likened in verse 15?
As before, note the development in this explanation and how its fullness is reached in verse 20.
There are three unsuccessful sowings and one successful. Try now to link the types of soils to the various characters of the Gospel. It is best to think about this for yourself and only follow up my clues once you have done this:
path: see 3,6
rock: see 3,16 (and look too at Mt 16,18)
thorns: see 10,17-23
rich soil: see
There is an important background to this explanation in, for example, Is 55 and Psalm 147B (Ps 147,12-20).
Look now at my response.
Two parables: 4,21-25
These sayings are omitted by Matthew as part of the parables (see Mt 13,23) and used elsewhere. In Mark as we have seen, they provide a frame for the interpretation.
I have already suggested that "He said to them" in verses 21 and 24 means Jesus is still speaking to his disciples. We can read these verses and see how they are more appropriate for the disciples than for the crowd.
Thus we read them in light of verses 10-15. In verse 21 two rhetorical questions are asked, what are the implied answers? Look at Matthew 5,15 and note the different use of the image by the two evangelists. What does the lamp symbolize here?
Verse 22 then recalls verse 11 and verse 23 repeats verse 9.
With verses 24 and 25 we move to a second series of sayings. Again, a similar saying is used differently by Matthew (Mt 7,2). Who is implied as the agent in verse 25? See Mt 25,29.
Now look again at my response.
Odd Detail
On Thursday week 3 of the year, the Gospel is Mk 4,21-25 which we have just read.
The first edition of the lectionary (1971) begins: Jesus said to his disciples.
In the second edition (1981) changes this to: Jesus said to the crowd.
This change does not fit what we discovered in our reading. However, the Friday Gospel (4,26-34) was also changed from disciples to crowd, but correctly from what we have seen.
We are therefore ready to move on and read the final section of this lengthy teaching by Jesus, two more parables followed by a conclusion.