COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 43
“ Mark 4:24 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.” (Mark 4:24-25; Matthew 13:11-12; Luke 8:18)
TAKE HEED WHAT YOU HEAR!
INTRODUCTION
Jesus has just completed expounding the parable of the sower to His disciples. He will now elaborate on what they are to do with this explanation, for truth is never delivered to us to merely supply us with information. In this text we will find that hearing is actually a stewardship. We have a speaking Jesus, not merely a historical one. We are reminded in Scripture that He is presently speaking “from heaven,” and that it is our responsibility to hear Him (Heb 12:25). He is also depicted as effectively teaching His people. “But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus”(Eph 4:20-21). The summation of what He is teaching us is stated in these words: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph 4:22-24). Wherever these actions are not being carried out, the individual has not been taught by Christ, but is living according to his own wisdom. All of Christ’s teaching, whether personal or collective, can be gathered into one of these three categories: 1-Putting off the old man, 2-being renewed in the spirit of our mind, and 3-putting on the new man. Like every aspect of spiritual life, the gracious benefit of a teaching Jesus cannot be exploited by men for fleshly advantage. Jesus will not teach people to do or be what is basically out of harmony with His objectives. His teaching, however, is essential for those who live by faith.
TAKE HEED WHAT YOU HEAR
“ 4:24 And He said unto them, Take heed WHAT ye hear . . .” Other versions read, “Take heed what you listen to,” NASB “Consider carefully what you hear,” NIV “Pay attention to what you hear,” NRSV “Take notice of what you are hearing,” NJB “put into practice what you hear,” LIVING
TAKE HEED. The expression, “take heed,” is of especial importance. It comes from a single word that means “see, look at, understand, and to carefully look at.” Metaphorically, it means to see with the mind’s eye, or to understand – discern mentally, or perceive. This word is used 136 times from Matthew through Revelation. It is translated “looketh” (Matt 5:28), “seeth” (Matt 6:4), “beholdest” (Matt 7:3), “saw” (Acts 12:9), “beware” (Acts 13:40), “Take heed” (1 Cor 3:10), and “perceive” (2 Cor 7:8). In every case it has to do with understanding. It never speaks of a casual glance, or witnessing something with a spirit of indifference. Sometimes it accents understanding what is going on. Other times it places the stress on comprehending dangerous things to be avoided. Still other times it is seeing beneath the surface – perceiving or discerning.
We can “take heed” to certain conditions; “Take heed lest He also spare not thee” (Rom 11:21), and “take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12). There are actions to which we are to take heed: “take heed how he buildeth thereof” (1 Cor 3:10). There are also responsibilities that relate to our brethren: “take heed lest this liberty of yours become a stumbling block” (1 Cor 8:9). Those who labor for the Lord are admonished, “Take heed unto the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord” (Col 4:17).
In all of these, the idea of discernment and comprehension is primary. “Take heed” means more than “give attention to.” It involves understanding the issues and the implications – perceiving the nature of a thing. It is the opposite of walking in darkness – something that is not experienced when we follow Jesus (John 8:12). In fact, those who walk in darkness, yet profess they have fellowship with Christ, have lied (1 John 1:6). This has some rather alarming implications when you consider the level of spiritual ignorance that exists in the professed church.
In this text Jesus is urging His disciples to comprehend what they hear – the words and the message to which they are exposed. They were not to dismiss what is said without getting a sense of it – whether it is something to be shunned or something to be embraced.
WHAT YOU HEAR. The immediate meaning of this word is that the disciples were charged with comprehending what had just been spoken to them – i.e. the exposition of the parable of the sower, and the Lord’s word concerning the purpose for light (4:13-23). Like all words from the Lord, they would do them no good unless they were understood. The disciples, then, were being strictly charged to make it their aim to comprehend those words.
The secondary, yet vital, meaning of the words is that what we choose to hear is to be carefully selected and comprehended. Thus, when Israel faced prophets who said they would not go into the Babylonian captivity, Jeremiah told them, “Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you” (Jer 27:14). The Lord also told the people “neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed” (Jer 29:8). They were to choose what NOT to hear, as well as what they DID hear. Solomon told his son, “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge” (Prov 19:27).
Concerning the truth of God, we are admonished, “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” (Heb 2:1), especially applying ourselves to understand the Gospel of Christ.
OBSERVATIONS. It is clear from our Lord’s words that we are held responsible for opportunities of learning. When the truth of God falls upon our ears, an obligation comes along with it. No word that is given to men by God is intended to remain a mystery to those who believe it. This challenges our spirits, for what Jesus says is not as obvious as some suppose. His words must be “kept” in order for them to be comprehended and bring benefit to us. Thus Jesus speaks of those who “have” His commandments, and “keep them,” and those who “keep” His words (John 14:21,23). These are the people who are taking heed to WHAT they hear – and they will be duly rewarded with understanding and Divine fellowship.
LUKE. Luke provides some further insight into the meaning of Christ’s words. “Take heed therefore HOW ye hear . . . ” (Luke 8:18). There is a certain spiritual posture found in true hearing. It is accompanied by a “readiness of mind” that earnestly desires to know the truth (Acts 17:11). This involves genuine interest, and the ability to associate the truth with who we are, what we are doing, and where we are going. “HOW,” or the manner in which we hear, determines the measure of profit we gain from the word of truth.
RIGHTEOUS KINGDOM MEASURES
“ 24b . . . what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.”
Here is another common saying, used by the Lord in describing differing circumstances. In Matthew, Jesus says these words in a warning about becoming hypercritical of others. “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matt 7:2). If, therefore, we are harsh in our judgment of others, both God and men will be harsh in their judgment of us. If we are merciful and considerate, that is the kind of judgment that will be toward us. In this text, however, the principle of receiving in kind is applied to what we hear, and how we hear it.
WHAT MEASURE YE METE. Other versions read, “the same measure you use,” NKJV “your standard of measure,” NASB “the measure you give,” NRSV and “the measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear].” AMPLIFIED The idea is that there is a certain frame of mind that characterizes true hearing. There can be intense interest and a desire to understand, or there can be indifference and no concern at all for understanding. People can be intrigued or bored with the truth of God. What is spoken by the Lord can be perceived as highly relevant, or seen as completely irrelevant. Our attitude has no bearing whatsoever on the truth itself. It does, however, have a direct bearing upon the profit we gain from the truth.
MEASURED TO YOU. Other versions read, “will be the measure you get,”NSRV and “will be the measure [of virtue and truth] that comes back to you.” AMPLIFIED Speaking metaphorically, if we put one ounce of ourselves into listening to the Word of God, we will not get a pound of benefit from it. If we do not give ourselves to the work of understanding the Word of God, we should not be surprised if we remain fundamentally ignorant of it. If Mary sits at Jesus feet, she will receive benefit, and it will not be taken from her. If Martha chooses to serve tables instead, she will not receive the benefits Mary enjoys (Luke 10:41-42). If Peter and the disciples say of Jesus’ teaching, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68), they will be given special attention. If the multitudes choose to go “back,” and walk “no more with Him,” they will not receive any attention at all (John 6:66). If your hand is small, not much will fit into it. It is really that simple.
The Lord Jesus is very precise on this matter. Those who give little of themselves to Him will receive little from Him, if indeed, they receive anything at all. You cannot come to Jesus with a thimble to receive, and go home with a barrel filled with blessing. If you do not run to Him, He will not run to you. If you do not listen to Him, He will not listen to you. However, if you hear Him, He will hear you. Azariah the prophet put this into words when he addressed king Asa: “The LORD is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you” (2 Chron 15:2). Zechariah spoke more directly to the matter of hearing, and its criticality in our dealings with the Lord. “Therefore it is come to pass, that as He cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zech 7:13).
This answers the questions that arise concerning the continued and extensive spiritual ignorance of professing Christians, as well as the remarkable growth and advancement in others. How is it that some can make great advancement in the faith, while others stumble along in a perpetual state of weakness and deficiency? It is because some have given little of themselves to God, while others have presented their bodies as a living sacrifice unto God (Rom 12:1-2). Those who gave little received little, for that is the law of the kingdom. Those who gave much of themselves to the Lord received much from Him, for that is also the law of the kingdom.
MORE WILL BE GIVEN. Here is the pledge of the Lord, and it is not possible for it to fail of fulfillment: “unto you that hear shall more be given!” There is no point in the walk of faith where this word becomes obsolete – even if you are the seasoned apostle Paul! If you will listen to the Lord, He keep speaking, revealing, showing, and unveiling. In this regard, your only limitation is your decrease in attentiveness.
This means that the Lord is looking for those who will listen to Him, take Him seriously, and ponder what He says. He says of such people, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant” (Psa 25:14). If you are growing in the grace and knowledge of “our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18), it is because you are a good and attentive listener! He is doing for you precisely what He said He would do – giving you “more.” It is not possible to hear Jesus with the ears He has given you to hear, taking heed to His words, without receiving “more.” That is the law of the Kingdom, and it simply is not possible for it to be broken or nullified.
GIVING AND TAKING, ACCORDING TO THE LORD
“ 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.”
HE THAT HATH. Who is “he that hath,” or “those who have?” NRSV This is not the one who merely heard, but the one who heard and retained, or kept, the Word given to him. It is no wonder Jesus said to a woman who pronounced a blessing upon His mother, “Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” (Luke 11:28). Here, to “keep” means to guard, watch over, and have an eye upon, lest it be snatched away. It is the opposite of those who heard the Word, did not understand it, and the devil took it out of their heart (Matt 13:19). Those who have “no root in themselves,” believing only “for a while,” are excluded from this number, for the Word does not stay with them (Matt 13:21; Lk 8:13). Those who are overcome with “the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things” are also excluded from this category of people, for the Word did not stay with them either (Mk 4:19).
“He that hath” refers to those who are like “good ground” in which the Seed of God’s word takes root and bears fruit. They could not forget the Word of the King, nor be turned aside to lesser things. Without exception, there is a certain way such souls will be honored.
SHALL BE GIVEN. Other versions read, “more will be given,” NKJV “he will be given more.” NIV And, what is this spiritual commodity of which he will be given “more?” It certainly is not the “riches of this world,” for they are “deceitful.” Such a person will be given more Word, more teaching, more insight, and more “spiritual understanding.” The horizon of truth will extend, the vista of spiritual discernment will expand. “More” of God will be known. “More” of Jesus will be comprehended. “More”This will all be “given” by the Lord.
In order to receive “more,” there is a sort of spiritual inventory that is taken by the Lord. If the individual has not been a “forgetful hearer” (James 1:25), but has chosen to hide God’s word in his heart (Psa 119:11), “more” will be given. In this world, this is not the mode of operation. Men receive “more” when they have run out of the particular commodity they seek. However, this is not the manner of the Kingdom. Those who have maintained a good supply of truth within, retaining in their thoughts what they have heard, “Shall be given more.” The inventory of truth in their “bag” will be increased, and it will become apparent to others (Matt 13:52).
HE THAT HATH NOT. But what of that miserable soul who, upon being confronted with the truth, “straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (James 1:24). What of the one who has “forgotten he was purged from his old sins” (2 Pet 1:9). What should we expect the person to receive who has neglected the truth that has been proclaimed to him, and who has chosen to give his attention to lesser things? What will the Lord do when he comes seeking fruit, and finds none? What will be the reaction of the Savior to a blossoming fig tree that has “nothing but leaves” (Mk 11:13)?
FROM HIM SHALL BE TAKEN. Jesus is quite clear on this matter: “even what he has shall be taken away from him.” NASB “But,” the novice retorts, “is this not a contradiction? On the one hand Jesus says he “hath not,” but now He says what he does have will be taken away?” Such questions expose us to the ignorance of men, for there is a sense in which men can “have” and “have not” at the same time. Luke clarifies the statement: “from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth [or “thinks” himself NIV] to have” (Luke 8:18b). The idea is that what he “seemeth to have” is what he has access to, yet is not taking advantage of it. Such a person has a key to the storehouse, but is not appropriating what is in it. The source of the gift will thus be removed. That is, God will remove the seers, and dry up the prophets, according to His word through Isaiah. “For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed” (Isa 29:10-11). It is the same as Amos’ “famine . . . of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11).
This is what happened when the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia contradicted and blasphemed the Gospel that Paul preached to them. Paul answered them, “seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). What they seemed to have was taken away from them, leaving them with nothing.
When the truth is exceedingly sparse, it may very well be that God has visited the people and, finding no inventory of the truth within them, has taken from them that which they seemed to have. How appropriate is the word of Solomon: “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Prov 23:23). Do not barter off the truth in a quest to obtain “other things!”