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MARK 4:26 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Mark 4:25Mark 4:27
“And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;”
He also said, this is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground — the parable of the growing seed (Mark 4:26–29) is unique to Mark, appearing in no other Gospel. It addresses the kingdom's mysterious, self-generating growth — the aspect of the kingdom most likely to confuse disciples who expect visible, dramatic, immediate expansion. A man scatters seed: the action is the same as the sower parable, but the emphasis shifts from soil types to the seed's own growth process. The man's role is merely to sow; what happens to the seed after sowing is not the man's work.

Church Fathers on Mark 4:26

The kingdom of God is the Church, which is ruled by God, and herself rules over men, and treads down the powers which are contrary to her, and all wickedness.

Pseudo-Jerome · 5th century

Or else Christ sleeps, that is, ascends into heaven, where, though He seem to sleep, yet He rises by night, when through temptations He raises us up to the knowledge of Himself; and in the day time, when on account of our prayers, He sets in order our salvation.

Theophylact · 11th century

Or else, Man casts seed into the ground, when he places a good intention in his heart; and he sleeps, when he already rests in the hope which attends on a good work. But he rises night and day, because he advances amidst prosperity and adversity, though he knows it not, for he is as yet unable to measure his increase, and yet virtue, once conceived, goes on increasing.

Gregory the Great · 6th century · in Ezech, 2, Hom. 3
Read all 8 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Mark 4:26 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy