Mark 4:28
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
American King James Version (AKJV)
For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
American Standard Version (ASV)
The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
The earth gives fruit by herself; first the leaf, then the head, then the full grain.
Webster's Revision
For the earth bringeth forth fruit of itself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
World English Bible
For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
English Revised Version (ERV)
The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.
Definitions for Mark 4:28
Clarke's Mark 4:28 Bible Commentary
Bringeth forth - of herself - Αυτοματη. By its own energy, without either the influence or industry of man. Similar to this is the expression of the poet: -
Namque aliae, Nullis Homlnum Cogentibus, ipsae
Sponte Sua veniunt.
Virg. Geor. l. ii. v. 10
"Some (trees) grow of their own accord, without the labor of man."
All the endlessly varied herbage of the field is produced in this way.
The full corn - Πληρη σιτον, Full wheat; the perfect, full-grown, or ripe corn. Lucian uses κενος καρπος, Empty fruit, for imperfect, or unripe fruit. See Kypke.
The kingdom of God, which is generated in the soul by the word of life, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, is first very small; there is only a blade, but this is full of promise, for a good blade shows there is a good seed at bottom, and that the soil in which it is sown is good also. Then the ear - the strong stalk grows up, and the ear is formed at the top; the faith and love of the believing soul increase abundantly; it is justified freely through the redemption that is in Christ; it has the ear which is shortly to be filled with the ripe grain, the outlines of the whole image of God. Then the full corn. The soul is purified from all unrighteousness; and, having escaped the corruption that is in the world, it is made a partaker of the Divine nature, and is filled with all the fullness of God.
Barnes's Mark 4:28 Bible Commentary
For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself - That is, it is done without the power of man. It is done while man is engaged in other things. The scope of this passage does not require us to suppose that our Saviour meant to say that the earth had any productive power of itself, but only that it produced its fruits not by the "power of man." God gives it its power. It has no power of its own. So religion in the heart is not by the power of man. It grows he cannot tell how, and of course he cannot without divine aid, control it. It is by the power of God. At the same time, as without industry man would have no harvest, so without active effort he would have no religion. Both are connected with his effort; both are to be measured commonly by his effort Philippians 2:12; both grow he cannot tell how; both increase when the proper means are used, and both depend on God for increase.
First the blade - The green, tender shoot, that first starts out of the earth before the stalk is formed.
Then the ear - The original means the stalk or spire of wheat or barley, as well as the ear.
The full corn - The ripe wheat. The grain swollen to its proper size. By this is denoted, undoubtedly, that grace or religion in the heart is of gradual growth. It is at first tender, feeble, perhaps almost imperceptible, like the first shootings of the grain in the earth. Perhaps also, like grain, it often lies long in the earth before there are signs of life. Like the tender grain, also, it needs care, kindness, and culture. A frost, a cold storm, or a burning sun alike injure it. So tender piety in the heart needs care, kindness, culture. It needs shelter from the frosts and storms of a cold, unfeeling world. It needs the genial dews and mild suns of heaven; in other words, it needs instruction, prayer, and friendly counsel from parents, teachers, ministers, and experienced Christians, that it may grow, and bring forth the full fruits of holiness. Like the grain, also, in due time it will grow strong; it will produce its appropriate fruit - a full and rich harvest - to the praise of God.