Mark 4:11-12
11, 12. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them, &c.—See on Mt 13:10-17.
Mark 4:21-25
21. And he said unto them, Is a candle—or "lamp"
brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?—"that they which enter in may see the light" (Lu 8:16). See on Mt 5:15, of which this is nearly a repetition.22. For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested, &c.—See on Mt 10:26, 27; but the connection there and here is slightly different. Here the idea seems to be this—"I have privately expounded to you these great truths, but only that ye may proclaim them publicly; and if ye will not, others will. For these are not designed for secrecy. They are imparted to be diffused abroad, and they shall be so; yea, a time is coming when the most hidden things shall be brought to light."
23. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear—This for the second time on the same subject (see on Mr 4:9).
24. And he saith unto them, Take heed what ye hear—In Luke (Lu 8:18) it is, "Take heed how ye hear." The one implies the other, but both precepts are very weighty.
with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you—See on Mt 7:2. and unto you that hear—that is, thankfully, teachably, profitably. shall more be given.25. For he that hath, to him shall be given; and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath—or "seemeth to have," or "thinketh he hath." (See on Mt 13:12). This "having" and "thinking he hath" are not different; for when it hangs loosely upon him, and is not appropriated to its proper ends and uses, it both is and is not his.
Parable of the Seed Growing We Know Not How (Mr 4:26-29).
This beautiful parable is peculiar to Mark. Its design is to teach the Imperceptible Growth of the word sown in the heart, from its earliest stage of development to the ripest fruits of practical righteousness.