Wednesday May 21st, 2025
The Gospel According to Marqus 4 (KJV-YS):
Introduction:
The fourth chapter of the Besorah of Marqus begins with Yahusha teaching the multitudes by the sea of Galilee again. He continues His use of parables to keep the knowledge that He is preaching from being revealed to those who are not seeking it. The people that followed Yahusha closely teach us a very valuable lesson, that if we want to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of Elohiym, we must actively seek the understanding we desire by studying Yahuah’s Word.
The world and many theologians actively teach the narrative that the parables Yahusha taught were fictional accounts. This is absolutely preposterous!! To say or even think that the One who committed no sin and cannot lie (Bemidbar 23:19 & Ivriym 4:15) would fabricate a fictional story just to deliver a theme borders on blasphemy. Is it not He alone that knows every story of every person? Is it such a stretch of the imagination or take such a great leap of faith at all to think/believe that every single parable happened to a real person? Probably each and every parable Yahusha taught has happened in real life so many times that it would actually be considered enumerable for us to count! This line of thought is preached to directly undermine your faith in Yahusha Ha’Mashiach and the Word of Yahuah.
The chapter also shows the awesome power that Yahusha has over the chaos of the natural world that we live in. When the storms of the world and of life rage and roar around us, we are to place our faith entirely in Yahuah and Yahusha to get us through.
Marqus 4: 1–2 – Teaching the Multitudes
Verses 1-6:
“1. And He began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto Him a great multitude, so that He entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2. And He taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in His doctrine,”
Insights: The chapter opens up with Yahusha teaching by the sea side again and a great multitude gathered around Him so that He had to enter into a ship to teach those who were seeking the Word of Yahuah.
Cross References Verses 1-2:
Tehilliym (Psalms) 78:1-2 –“Give ear, O My people, to My Torah: incline your ears to the words of My mouth. I will open My mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:”
Miykah (Micah) 4:2 – “ And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahuah, and to the house of the Elohai of Ya’aqov; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the Torah shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of Yahuah from Jerusalem.”
Yochanon (John) 7:16-17 – “ Yahusha answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of Elohiym, or whether I speak of Myself. ”
Reflection: Yahusha came to teach those who seek the path and way of Father Yahuah. He continued to preach and teach in the land of the lost tribes of the house of Yashar’el.
Marqus 4: 3–20 – The Parable of the Sower and the Four Soils
Verses 3-9: The Parable of the Sower“
3. Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6. But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9. And He said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Insights: Yahusha teaches the parables of the seed sower and the different types of soil that the seed can fall on. He concludes the parable with the statement that if you have ears, you need to hear what He just said and understand it.
Cross References:
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 4:1 – “Now therefore hearken, O Yashar’el, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Yahuah Elohai of your fathers giveth you.”
Tehilliym (Psalms) 34:11 – “Come, ye children, hearken unto Me: I will teach you the fear of Yahuah.”
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 4:3 –“ For thus saith Yahuah to the men of Yahudah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.”
Yechezq’el (Ezekiel) 36:26-27 – “A new heart also will I give you, and a new ruach will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Ruach within you, and cause youאת to walk in My statutes, and ye shall guard My judgments, and do them.”
Husha (Hosea) 10:12 – “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek Yahuah, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Ya’aqov (James) 1:11 – “ For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”
Reflection: The parable of the sower teaches us that the seed is sown everywhere. It depends on what type of soil it falls on as to whether or not it will be fruitful.
Verses 10–12 – Yahusha explains why He uses Parables
“10. And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable. 11. And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of Elohiym: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 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.”
Insights: Yahusha explains that it is not for everyone to understand the Kingdom of Elohiym but understanding it is only given to those who ask for and seek it.
Cross References:
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 4:29 – “But if from thence thou shalt seek Yahuah Elohayka, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Yahuah Elohayka, and shalt be obedient unto His voice; ”
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 29:4 – “Yet Yahuah hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.”
Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 6:9-10 – “And He said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. ”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 7:7-8 – “ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Reflection: Yahusha explains the use of parables to the disciples and those who were with them. It is critical in every believer’s life that they continually seek the Kingdom of Elohiym first.
Verses 13–20 – Yahusha explains the Parable of the Sower
“13. And He said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14. The sower soweth the word. 15. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17. And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20.And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.”
Insights: Yahusha asks those around Him how will they understand other parables if they don’t understand this one? He then proceeds to give them an understanding of the parable of the sower.
Cross References:
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 6:6-7 – “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up “
Mishlei (Proverbs) 4:7 – “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
Mishlei (Proverbs) 11:30-31 – “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.”
Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 5:13 – “There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.”
Ivriym (Hebrews) 2:1 – “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 10:12-13 – “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but Elohiym is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
2nd Kepha (Peter) 1:4 – “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
1st Yochanon (1st John) 2:15-16 – “ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Reflection: Yahusha explains that the sower (believer) sows the word of Elohiym to all they interact with, which is what all believers are commanded to do, and that the hearer of the word is responsible for guarding the word that they hear and nurturing it to produce fruit.
**Gospel Cross References for Marqus 4 Verses 1-20: Matthew 13:1-23 ; Luke 8:4-15
Marqus 4: 21-25 – Parable of the Lamp
“21. 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? 22. For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24. 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. 25. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.”
Insights: Yahusha continues His teaching in parables for those who are still listening. The parable has changed but the lesson continues. In the parable of the sower and the seed, the Word of Yahuah is the seed, which is Yahusha Ha’Mashiach and in this parable, He speaks of what a candle is used for, to bring light to the house, so we must place the light so that it can be seen by everyone.
Cross References:
Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 60:1-3 “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Yahuah is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but Yahuah shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 5:15-16 – “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 12:13-14 – “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear Elohiym, and guard His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For Elohiym shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. “
Tehilliym (Psalms) 34:11 – “I have preached righteousness in the great assembly: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Yahuah, Thou knowest. I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation: I have not concealed Thy lovingkindness and Thy Truth from the great assembly.”
Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 55:3 – “Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of Da’vid.”
Yochanon (John) 10:27 – “ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: ”
Yochanon (John) 15:2 – “Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit”
Reflection: In the continuation of the lesson through the parables, Yahusha says that once the word (seed) has started to grow inside of us an becomes stronger, His light will radiate from us and we should not hide our light or be ashamed of it because if we do that, what we have been given will be taken away from us. When we share the good news of Yahusha Ha’Mashiach we receive new blessings and get a deeper understanding of the word as we share it with others.
**Gospel Cross References for Marqus 4 Verses 21-25: Luke 8:16-18
Marqus 4:26-29 – Parable of the Harvest
“26. And He said, So is the kingdom of Elohiym, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27. And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29.But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”
Insights: Yahusha continues the lesson with the parable of the harvest where the workers in the fields of life that sow the seed do not understand how the seed grows or which seeds will produce fruit and which will not.
Cross References:
Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 11:4-6 – “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the Ruach, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of Elohiym Who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.”
Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 8:17 – “Then I beheld all the work of Elohiym, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it .”
Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 61:11 – “For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so Adonai Yahuah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 9:37-38 – “ Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore Yah of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.”
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:9 – “For we are labourers together with Elohiym: ye are Elohiym’s husbandry, ye are Elohiym’s building.”
Chazon (Revelation) 14:15-17 – “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud One sat like unto the Son of A’dam, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in Thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for Thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.And another angel.
Reflection: Yahusha teaches those who are still there to hear that the Kingdom of Elohiym is like unto seeds again and that no man understands how the seed goes from a seed into a plant that can bring forth much fruit.
Marqus 4:30-32 – Parable of the Mustard Seed
“30. And He said, Whereunto shall we liken the Kingdom of Elohiym? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31. It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32. But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.”
Insights: Once again Yahusha compares the Kingdom of Elohiym to a seed, except this time a very small seed that grows into something more than it’s infancy would lead you to believe it to become.
Cross References:
Yechezq’el (Ezekiel) 17:22-24 – “Thus saith Adonai Yahuah; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent: In the mountain of the height of Yashar’el will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. And all the trees of the field shall know that I Yahuah have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I Yahuah have spoken and have done it. ”
Tehilliym (Psalms) 72:16-19 – “There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure for ever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be Yahuah Elohiym, the Elohiym of Yashar’el, Who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be His glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen, and Amen ”
Reflection: In the last parable in this lesson, Yahusha ties the seed, the lamp, and the harvest together with the mustard seed which seems as a small thing hear, grows into something that we cannot fully understand yet.
**Gospel Cross References for Marqus 4 Verses 30-32: Matthew 13:31-33 ; Luke 13:18-21
Marqus 4:33-34 – Yahusha explains why He teaches in Parables
“33. And with many such parables spake He the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 34. But without a parable spake He not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”
Insights: Yahusha continues to teach in parables to the multitudes. To those who wanted to be alone and have a personal relationship with Him were the parables explained to.
Cross References:
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 29:29 – “The secrets of Yahuah Elohaynu are given to us and to our sons for ever that we may observe every word of this Torah.”
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 29:13 – “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.”
Yochanon (John) 16:25 – “ These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. ”
1st Yochanon (1st John) 7:16-17 – “ And we know that the Son of Elohym is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in his Son Yahusha Ha’Mashiach. This is the true Elohiym, and eternal life.”
Reflection: Yahusha had the power to have everyone understand His teachings but it is not Father Yahuah’s will that any should learn His mysteries that do not love Him and seek Him with their whole heart.
**Gospel Cross References for Marqus 4 Verses 33-34: Matthew 13:34-35
Marqus 4:35-41 – Crossing Over to the Other Side – The Trip to Gadara – Yahusha Calms the Storm
“35.And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36.And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Rabbi, carest Thou not that we perish? 39. And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41.And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of Man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
Insights: After teaching the multitudes on one shore of the Sea of Galilee, Yahusha instructs those who remain with Him to prepare to pass over to the other side of the sea. During the voyage a great wind arose and threatened to sink the ships in the group.
Cross References:
Yonah (Jonah) 1:4 – “But Yahuah sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.”
Tehelliym (Psalm) 44:23-24 – “Awake, why sleepest thou, O Adonai? arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?”
Tehelliym (Psalm) 89:9 –“Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them.”
Tehelliym (Psalm) 107:29-30 –“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.”
Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 43:2-3 – “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am Yahuah Elohayka, the Set-Apart One of Yashar’el, thy Saviour: I gave Mitsrayim for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.”
Reflection: The chapter closes with Yahusha showing His disciples and those with them that He has control over the wind and the sea. Not matter what storms we may face in life, even when it seems that the ship is about to sink, we can call on Yahusha Ha’Mashiach and He will calm the storm for us.
**Gospel Cross References for Marqus 4 Verses 35-41: Matthew 8:23-27 ; Luke 8:22-25
Summary:
In the fourth chapter of Marqus, Yahusha continues to teach the multitudes about the Kingdom of Elohiym through the use of parables, or true life accounts that the average person could understand and relate to. His use of parables was to hide the true understanding of the lessons He was teaching so that only those who genuinely were seeking the Kingdom of Yahuah would understand.
The lessons in taught in the parables in chapter 4 start off with the simple revelation that the sower sows the word of Elohiym and that the hearts of men and women are where the seeds fall and depending on the desires of that person’s heart depends on whether the seed will grow to produce fruit or will be cast aside. If the hearer of the word guards, protects and nurtures it, it will produce varying amounts of fruit.
Yahusha continues the lesson with the parable of the lamp. He teaches that once we have started producing fruit we will have the light of the word which we can shine into the darkness world so that others can see the goodness of Yahuah. The light will bring all things into the open and nothing will be hid that will not be made known. He then repeats that if you have ears you need to understand what He is saying and continues the lesson stating that if we do not share the word that and give it freely to others then what we have been given will be taken away. We are to share the Besorah freely with all that are seeking understanding and knowledge from Father Yahuah.
Yahusha then closes His teaching out with two parables about the Kingdom of Elohiym comparing it to seeds in both. He teaches that the Kingdom of Elohiym cannot be understood by man in that it grows in ways that we cannot see, understand nor can we do anything to make the seed grow or produce fruit. The Kingdom of Elohiym is continually growing and producing fruit for Father Yahuah and He alone decides when to put the sickle and harvest His fruit.
The chapter closes with those who are with Yahusha in the ship crying out to Him to wake up and save them from the storm that had arisen. He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea saying “Peace be still” and the storm ceased. He then asks them why are the so fearful and have no faith and they feared exceedingly.
Marqus 4 teaches us that if we seek the Kingdom of Elohiym He will reveal it unto us and we will have nothing to fear in this world, even if our ship is about to sink.
Reflection Questions for Each Section of Marqus Chapter 4
1. Verses 1–2 –Teaching the Multitudes
Reflection:
Yahusha continues to teach the multitudes in the lands of the lost tribes of Yashar’el.
Self-Study Questions:
- Do you actively seek for a deeper understanding of the scriptures?
- Are you one of the general members of the multitude or are you one who actively seeks a better understanding of the scriptures by staying close to Yahusha?
2. Verses 3–20 – The Parable of the Sower, the Seed and the Soil
Reflection:
Yahusha teaches the parable of the sower to the multitudes and then gives the understanding of it to His disciples and the others who were still seeking understanding.
Self-Study Questions:
- What does this parable teach you about being receptive to Yahuah’s Word?
- Have you ever found yourself to be a sower?
- Do you think it’s possible to be a sower and a receiver of the seed at the same time?
3. Verses 21–25 – The Parable of the Lamp
Reflection:
Yahusha teaches the parable of the lamp and that we should measure out as it has been measured unto us lest we have what we have been given taken away.
Self-Study Questions:
- Do you share the word with those you interact with regularly?
- In what ways are you letting your light shine?
- What can you do to share the word more with others?
4. Verses 26-34 – Parables of the Kingdom of Elohiym
Reflection:
The Kingdom of Elohiym compared to how seed grow and to one of the smallest seeds that grows into something big.
Self-Study Questions:
- What do these parables teach you about the Kingdom of Elohiym?
- Are you doing the things Father Yahuah wants you to do for His Kingdom?
- What areas of your life can you dedicate more to furthering the Kingdom of Elohiym?
5. Verses 35-41 – The Storms in Life
Reflection:
While they were crossing over to the other side, a great storm arose and frightened the disciples and the others with them.
Self-Study Questions:
- Do you cry out to Yahusha when storms come in your life?
- Are you in the ship with Yahusha crossing over to the other side?
- How can you better deal with the storms that arise in your life?