Chapter Four

4:1-9 Parable of the sower: Mark presents Jesus in his role as Master. Close to the feelings of the people, he teaches them with parables. He begins with the parable of the sower. God is generous, he scatters the seed (his Word) in all kinds of soil, and if it falls on good soil, it produces abundantly (8).

4:10-12 The Purpose of the parables: From a public setting, we move to private. The group closest to us asks about the purpose of the parables. And Jesus' answer is, at first sight, puzzling. What does he intend? To point out the mysterious character of the kingdom: it is present but simultaneously hidden. Whoever closes himself to it is like one who looks but does not see, listens but does not understand (Is 6:9f).

4:13-20 Explanation of the parable of the sower: With this explanation, given in a private setting, Jesus invites his disciples to reflect on themselves. What disposition do they have before his Word? Biblical scholars see a very ancient interpretation of Jesus' parable in this passage. While in the parable, the action of the sower and the fate of the seed are highlighted (1-9), soil quality is emphasized here. Only if the seed, that is, the Word, falls on good soil, will it bear fruit; therefore, we disciples must be well disposed to receive the Word as fertile soil so that in receiving it, it renews our interior and we produce fruits of liberation and life, signs of the presence of the kingdom.

4:21-25 Various sentences: Jesus continues instructing his disciples. The lamp (21f) represents the Good News that must be proclaimed without fear for all humanity to benefit its radiance. The response to the proclamation of the Good News (24f) must be generous, like grain falling on fertile soil.

4:26-32 Parable of the vitality of the seed – Parable of the mustard seed: The theme of these parables is the dynamic and paradoxical process of the kingdom. The first highlights its vital force: it grows progressively in silence, unnoticed, regardless of human successes and failures, because it is God himself who makes it grow. The second parable brings out its paradoxical character: apparently, it is something insignificant, but once in motion, it has no frontiers; it is open to all. These two parables are a message of encouragement and hope, not only for the disciples of that time but also for us, today's disciples. It is an invitation to work in the kingdom's affairs, trusting our efforts in the power of God.

4:33-34 Use of parables: With these verses, Mark concludes his presentation of Jesus as a Teacher. The expression "in a way that they would be able to understand" does not refer only to the intellectual aspect but also to the disposition to accept the Word.

4:35-41 Calm a storm: In keeping with the universality of the Gospel proclamation, Jesus now goes to the land of the pagans. In the Jewish tradition, the sea was a symbol of evil. From this perspective, the hurricane wind can be considered the work of the spirits of evil who try to prevent the kingdom of God from reaching pagan peoples. For a moment, they shatter the faith of the disciples. But Jesus enters the scene. As if casting out a demon, he commands calm to the sea and the wind. Then he unmasks the disciples' lack of faith, showing how much they have yet to learn. The disciples, for their part, are perplexed by the power of Jesus, for only God can master the sea (Ps 107:23-32).