Sign in
MARK 4:33 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Mark 4:32Mark 4:34
“And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.”
With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand — the summary confirms that the parables recorded in chapter 4 are a selection from a much larger teaching corpus. As much as they could understand communicates Jesus' pedagogical sensitivity: the parables are calibrated to the audience's current capacity. The teaching is not one-size-fits-all but graduated to what the hearers can receive at their current stage of understanding. The process of understanding the kingdom is progressive, not immediate — even the disciples receive the teaching in stages, and each stage is calibrated to their current comprehension.

Church Fathers on Mark 4:33

Most brief indeed is the word of faith; Believe in God, and thou shalt be saved. But the preaching of it has been spread far and wide over the earth, and increased so, that the birds of heaven, that is, contemplative men, sublime in understanding and knowledge, dwell under it. For how many wise men among the Gentiles, quitting their wisdom, have found rest in the preaching of the Gospel! Its preaching then is greater than all.

Theophylact · 11th century

Or else, that seed is very small in fear, but great when it has grown into charity, which is greater than all herbs: for 'God is love,' [1 John 4:16] whilst 'all flesh is grass.' [Isa 40:6] But the boughs which it puts forth are those of mercy and compassion, since under its shade the poor of Christ, who are meant by the living creatures of the heavens, delight to dwell.

Pseudo-Jerome · 5th century

Again, the man who sows is by many taken to mean the Saviour Himself, by others, man himself sowing in his own heart.

Bede · 8th century
Read all 6 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!
Mark 4:33 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy