Mark 4:9

4:1-20 This parable contained instruction so important, that all capable of hearing were bound to attend to it. There are many things we are concerned to know; and if we understand not the plain truths of the gospel, how shall we learn those more difficult! It will help us to value the privileges we enjoy as disciples of Christ, if we seriously consider the deplorable state of all who have not such privileges. In the great field of the church, the word of God is dispensed to all. Of the many that hear the word of the gospel, but few receive it, so as to bring forth fruit. Many are much affected with the word for the present, who yet receive no abiding benefit. The word does not leave abiding impressions upon the minds of men, because their hearts are not duly disposed to receive it. The devil is very busy about careless hearers, as the fowls of the air go about the seed that lies above ground. Many continue in a barren, false profession, and go down to hell. Impressions that are not deep, will not last. Many do not mind heart-work, without which religion is nothing. Others are hindered from profiting by the word of God, by abundance of the world. And those who have but little of the world, may yet be ruined by indulging the body. God expects and requires fruit from those who enjoy the gospel, a temper of mind and Christian graces daily exercised, Christian duties duly performed.

And he said unto them,.... To the multitude of hearers that were on the sea shore attending to the word preached, and among whom, doubtless, there were all those sorts of hearers mentioned in this parable: he that hath ears to hear, let him hear: observe, and take notice of what has been said, as being of the greatest moment and importance: for a larger explanation and illustration of this parable, see the notes on Matthew 13:3.

9 . He that hath ears to hear ] These solemn words are found in the three Gospels. Our Lord is recorded to have used them on six occasions; (1) Matthew 11:15 ; (2) Matthew 13:43 ; (3) Mark 4:9 ; (4) Mark 4:23 ; (5) Mark 7:16 ; (6) Luke 14:35 . They are not found in St John’s Gospel, but occur eight times in the Book of Revelation 2:7 ; Revelation 2:11 ; Revelation 2:17 ; Revelation 2:29 ; Revelation 3:6 ; Revelation 3:13 ; Revelation 3:22 ; Revelation 13:9 .

Verse 9. - And he said, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear . St. Luke ( Luke 8:8 ) bus a stronger word than ( ἔλεγεν ) "he said." He ( Luke 8:8 ) has ( ἐφώνει ) "he cried." Our Lord uses this expression, "he that hath ears to hear," etc, when the subject-matter is figurative or obscure, as though to rouse the attention of his hearers. He has "ears to hear" who diligently attends to the words of Christ, that he may ponder and obey them. Many heard him out of curiosity, that they might bear something new, or learned, or brilliant; not that they might lay to heart the things which they heard, and endeavor to practice them in their lives. And so it is with those who go to hear sermons on account of the fame of the preacher, and not that they may learn to amend their lives; and thus the words of Jehovah to Ezekiel ( Ezekiel 33:32 ) are fulfilled, "And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not." Mark 4:9

[Bible] 3:33. And answering them, he said: Who is my mother and my brethren? 3:34. And looking round about on them who sat about him, he saith: Behold my mother and my brethren. 3:35. For whosoever shall do the will of God, he is my brother, and my sister, and mother. Mark Chapter 4 The parable of the sower. Christ stills the tempest at sea. 4:1. And again he began to teach by the sea side; and a great multitude was gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a ship and sat in the sea: and all the multitude was upon the land by the sea side. 4:2. And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his doctrine: 4:3. Hear ye: Behold, the sower went out to sow. 4:4. And whilst he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate it up. 4:5. And other some fell upon stony ground, where it had not much earth; and it shot up immediately, because it had no depth of earth. 4:6. And when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 4:7. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 4:8. And some fell upon good ground; and brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased and yielded, one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred. 4:9. And he said: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 4:10. And when he was alone, the twelve that were with him asked him the parable. 4:11. And he said to them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are done in parables: 4:12. 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. That seeing they may see, etc... in punishment of their wilfully shutting their eyes, (St. Matt. 13. 15,) God justly withdrew those lights and graces, which otherwise he would have given them, for their effectual conversion.