Mr 4:1
4:1 And he began again to teach by the {a} sea side: and there
    was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered
    into a ship, and sat {b} in the sea; and the whole multitude
    was by the sea on the land.

    (a) Seaside of Tiberias.
    (b) In a ship which was launched into the sea.

Mr 4:3
4:3 {1} Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

 (1) The same doctrine of the Gospel is sown everywhere, but it
     it does not have the same success indeed because of the
     fault of man, but yet by the just judgment of God.

Mr 4:10
4:10 And when he was {c} alone, they that were {d} about him
     with the twelve asked of him the parable.

     (c) Literally, "solitary".
     (d) They that followed him at his heels.

Mr 4:11
4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the
     mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are {e}
     without, all [these] things are done in parables:

     (e) That is to say, to strangers, and such ones as are not
         of us.

Mr 4:19
4:19 And the cares {f} of this world, and the deceitfulness of
     riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke
     the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

     (f) Which pertain to this life.

Mr 4:21
4:21 {2} And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put
     under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a
     candlestick?

 (2) Although the light of the gospel is rejected by the world,
     yet it ought to be lit, if for no other reason than this,
     that the wickedness of the world might be revealed.

Mr 4:24
4:24 {3} And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with
     what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto
     you that hear shall more be given.

 (3) The more liberally that we share such gifts as God has
     given us with our brethren, the more bountiful God will be
     toward us.

Mr 4:26
4:26 {4} And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man
     should cast seed into the ground;

 (4) The Lord sows and reaps in a manner unknown to men.

Mr 4:27
4:27 And {g} should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed
     should spring and grow up, he {h} knoweth not how.

     (g) That is, when he has finished sowing should wait both
         day and night not doubting that the seed should spring
         forth, which grows both by day and night.
     (h) It is the duty of the ministers to work the ground with
         all diligence, and accredit the success to God: for the
         mighty work of the seed coming to blade and ear is
         mysterious, and is only known by the fruit that comes.

Mr 4:28
4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit {i} of herself; first
     the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the
     ear.

     (i) By a certain power which moves itself.

Mr 4:30
4:30 {5} And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of
     God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

 (5) God uses a method that men never do, beginning with the
     least and ending with the greatest.

Mr 4:33
4:33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them,
     {k} as they were able to hear [it].

     (k) According to the ability of the hearers.

Mr 4:34
4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they
     were alone, he {l} expounded all things to his disciples.

     (l) Literally, "loosed", as you would say, explained to
         them the hard riddles.

Mr 4:37
4:37 {6} And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves
     beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

 (6) They that sail with Christ, although he seems to sleep ever
     so soundly when they are in danger, yet they are preserved
     by him in due time, being awakened.

Mr 4:40
4:40 And he said unto them, {m} Why are ye so fearful? how is it
     that ye have no faith?

     (m) How does it come to pass that you have no faith?