Reflecting on Mark's Gospel - Mark 4:13-20

Parables are not normally explained. They stand on their own, making interesting, challenging and powerful points. However, the parable of the sower is an exception, and Mark reports how Jesus offers an explanation.

It is all about understanding and reacting to the word that has been proclaimed. Jesus is now away from the crowds and with the immediate disciple group, though a group that is identified as being larger than the core twelve. Verse 10 has referred to those who were with him along with the twelve. He has been discussing the purpose of the parables, and now asks them if they understand. There is then a very explicit explanation.

The seed is the word. Some receive it, but it has no effect. That is like the seed that lands on the path. Satan is blamed for this lack of response. Others receive it with great joy, but their enthusiasm quickly disappears and they forget what they have heard. That is like the seed that lands on rocky ground, and is unable to take root. Others do not really respond because they are so caught up with other things. That is like the seed that falls among weeds, and is choked by them. Then, other seed lands on good ground. That seed is fruitful, though the yield varies significantly.

The first three types of ground that are named indicate that, as Megan McKenna (On Your Mark: Reading Mark in the Shadow of the Cross) puts it – “although the prophets, especially Isaiah and John the Baptist, had gone before the Word to prepare the way, calling to repentance and conversion that would lead to forgiveness of sin, many did not repent or convert their ways and so could not absorb Jesus’ teaching.”

However, this account of failed farming is only part of the story and, presumably, a minority part. Only a very careless farmer will sow an equal amount of seed on good and bad ground. Some seed will land in the wrong place, but surely the majority will land on good ground and grow. After the growth, as McKenna states – “then the harvest will begin. It will be enormous, wildly impossible, starting at thirtyfold and growing in some places with a harvest of a hundredfold!”

I wonder what fruit we are bearing. I also wonder if it is worth contextualising that thought with a mention of the fruits of the Spirit, as listed to the Galatian Christians – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22/23) – though that is that just one possible approach to that question.