Mark 4 Bible Study | Parables of the Kingdom: The Sower, Lampstand, Mustard Seed & Wheat and Tares
Review: The Parable of the Sower
Last week we studied Mark 4:20. I mentioned that Jesus gave us a key in the Parable of the Sower which allows us to understand all other parables.
[Mark 4:13 NKJV]
13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?”
I went over the four soils: the wayside, stony ground, ground with thorns, and finally the good ground. I stated that these soils represent hearts, and the purpose of the parable is to cause us to examine our hearts.
The first three soils represent non-believers with superficial faith rather than true saving faith. They may profess Christianity but have no depth.
However, someone with even a little faith can turn to Jesus for salvation. That faith will grow and produce fruit. It isn’t about how much faith you have, but who you place your faith in — Jesus.
The Lampstand
Continuing in Mark, we left off in Mark 4:20 where the seed is sown on good soil and produces fruit. Now we turn to Mark 4:21.
[Mark 4:21–23 NKJV]
21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?
22 “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.
23 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Jesus is telling us two things:
- Those who come into the light should not hide it but share the Word and the light of the world.
- Whatever is done in secret will eventually be revealed. For many people this realization draws them to the light of Jesus.
Hearing and Receiving the Word
[Mark 4:24–25 NKJV]
24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
25 “For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
- Those who hear the Word and share it will receive more. Faith and knowledge of God grow.
- Those who hear the Word but allow it to take no root will lose even what was given.
The Growing Seed
[Mark 4:26–29 NKJV]
26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground,
27 “and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.
28 “For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.
29 “But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
The point Jesus is making is that our responsibility is to sow the Word of God. We cannot force it to take root or save someone. God causes the growth.
This same truth is expressed in Isaiah 55.
[Isaiah 55:1–13 NKJV]
(Scripture continues exactly as written.)
The Mustard Seed
[Mark 4:30–32 NKJV]
30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?
31 “[It is] like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;
32 “but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”
To better understand this parable, we also examine Matthew 13.
Why Jesus Spoke in Parables
[Matthew 13:10–13 NKJV]
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”
12 “For whoever has, to him more will be given…”
The Wheat and the Tares
[Matthew 13:24–30 NKJV]
(Scripture passage continues exactly as written.)
Jesus later explains the meaning of the parable.
[Matthew 13:36–43 NKJV]
The field represents the world. The good seed represents the sons and daughters of the kingdom. The tares represent the sons of the wicked one.
- The good seed is sown by Jesus, the Son of Man.
- The tares are sown by the devil.
- Both exist together in the world until the final harvest.
Even within the church there can be both wheat and tares.
God is Light
[John 1:1–5 NKJV]
(Scripture continues.)
[1 John 1:5–10 NKJV]
God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.
Testing the Spirits
[1 John 4:1–6 NKJV]
Believers are called to test the spirits and discern truth from error.
The Final Separation
[Revelation 21:1–8 NKJV]
In the new heaven and new earth, evil will be completely removed and God will dwell with His people.
Communion
Today we will take communion.
[1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV]
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread…
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
Join us next week as we continue our verse-by-verse study through the Gospel of Mark. Let us remain steadfast in faith, walk in love, and share the mercy of Christ — for He calls sinners to repentance and to life.
— Valley Christian Church
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