Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Mark: Chapter 4]
impossible," but it is the true text here and makes good sense
(Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 968). The more common idiom would have
been \h•s ean\ (or \an\).
4:27 {Should sleep and rise} (\katheud•i kai egeir•tai\). Present
subjunctive for continued action. So also {spring up and grow}
(\blast•i kai m•kun•tai\) two late verbs. The process of growth
goes on all night and all day (\nukta kai h•meran\, accusative of
time). {He knoweth not how} (\h•s ouk oiden autos\). Note
position of \h•s\ (beginning) and \autos\ (end) of clause: {How
knows not he}. The mystery of growth still puzzles farmers and
scientists of today with all our modern knowledge. But nature's
secret processes do not fail to operate because we are ignorant.
This secret and mysterious growth of the kingdom in the heart and
life is the point of this beautiful parable given only by Mark.
"When man has done his part, the actual process of growth is
beyond his reach or comprehension" (Swete).
4:28 {Of herself} (\automat•\). Automatically, we say. The secret
of growth is in the seed, not in the soil nor in the weather nor
in the cultivating. These all help, but the seed spontaneously
works according to its own nature. The word \automat•\ is from
\autos\ (self) and \memaa\ desire eagerly from obsolete \ma•\.
Common word in all Greek history. Only one other example in N.T.,
in Ac 12:10 when the city gate opens to Peter of its own
accord. "The mind is adapted to the truth, as the eye to the
light" (Gould). So we sow the seed, God's kingdom truth, and the
soil (the soul) is ready for the seed. The Holy Spirit works on
the heart and uses the seed sown and makes it germinate and grow,
"first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear"
(\pr•ton chorton, eiten stachun, eiten pl•r• siton en t•i
stachui\). This is the law and order of nature and also of grace
in the kingdom of God. Hence it is worth while to preach and
teach. "This single fact creates the confidence shown by Jesus in
the ultimate establishment of his kingdom in spite of the
obstacles which obstruct its progress" (Gould).
4:29 {Is ripe} (\paradoi\, second aorist subjunctive with
\hotan\). Whenever the fruit yields itself or permits. {Putteth
forth} (\apostellei\). Sends forth the sickle. The word for
_apostle_ comes from this verb. See Joh 4:38: "I sent you forth
to reap" (\ego apesteila hum•s therizein\). Sickle (\drepanon\)
here by metonymy stands for the reapers who use it when the
harvest stands ready for it (\parest•ken\, stands by the side,
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