SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:28
Porque de suyo fructifica la tierra, primero hierba, luego espiga, despus grano lleno en la espiga;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Mark 4:28
Verse 28. Bringeth forth-of herself] automath. 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 labour of man." All the endlessly varied herbage of the field is produced in this way. The full corn] plhrh siton, FULL wheat; the perfect, full- grown, or ripe corn. Lucian uses kenov karpov, 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself , etc..] Without any further help, or cultivation from the husbandman; though under the influence of the sun, dews, and showers of rain from heaven: this is said, not to denote that man of himself, upon hearing the word, can bring forth the fruit of grace in himself; he cannot regenerate himself, nor quicken, nor convert himself; he cannot believe in Christ, nor love the Lord of himself; nor repent of his sin, nor begin, or carry on the good work; he can neither sanctify his heart, nor mortify the deeds of the body; or even bring forth the fruits of good works, when converted. For all these things are owing to the Spirit, power, and grace of God: men are regenerated according to the abundant mercy of God, of water and of the Spirit, by the word of truth, through the sovereign will and pleasure of God; and they are quickened, who before were dead in trespasses and sins, and were as dry bones, by the Spirit of God breathing upon them: conversion in the first production, is the Lord's work; turn thou me, and I shall be turned: faith in Christ is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; and so is repentance unto life; love is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and in short, the whole work of grace is not by might, nor by power of man, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts; who begins and carries on, and performs it until the day of Christ: the work of sanctification, is therefore called the sanctification of the Spirit; and it is through him the deeds of the body are mortified: and indeed, without Christ, believers themselves can do nothing at all; even cannot perform good works, or do any action that is truly and spiritually good. But the design is to show, that as the earth without human power, without the husbandman, under the influence of the heavens, brings forth fruit; so without human power, without the Gospel minister, the word having taken root under divine influence, through the sun of righteousness, the dews of divine grace, and operations of the blessed Spirit, it rises up and brings forth fruit: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear ; which, as it very aptly describes the progress of the seed from first to last; so it very beautifully represents the gradual increase of the work of grace, under the instrumentality of the word, accompanied with the Spirit and power of God. Grace at first appearance is very small, like the small green spire, when it first shoots out of the earth: light into a man's self, his heart, his state and condition, in the knowledge of Christ, and the doctrines of the Gospel, is but very small; he is one of little faith, and weak in the exercise of it: faith is but at first a small glimmering view of Christ, a venture upon him, a peradventure there may be life and salvation for such an one in him; it comes at length to a reliance and leaning upon him; and it is some time before the soul can walk alone by faith on him: its experience of the love of God is but small, but in process of time there is a growth and an increase; light increases, which shines more and more unto the perfect day; faith grows stronger and stronger; experience of the love of God is enlarged; and the believer wades in these waters of the sanctuary; not only as at first up to the ankles, but to the knees and loins; when at length they are a broad river to swim in, and which cannot be passed over.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 21-34 - These declarations were intended to call the attention of the disciple to the word of Christ. By his thus instructing them, they were mad able to instruct others; as candles are lighted, not to be covered, but to be placed on a candlestick, that they may give light to a room. Thi parable of the good seed, shows the manner in which the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. Let but the word of Christ have the plac it ought to have in a soul, and it will show itself in a goo conversation. It grows gradually: first the blade; then the ear; afte that the full corn in the ear. When it is sprung up, it will go forward. The work of grace in the soul is, at first, but the day of small things; yet it has mighty products even now, while it is in it growth; but what will there be when it is perfected in heaven!
Greek Textus Receptus
αυτοματη 844 A-NSF γαρ 1063 CONJ η 3588 T-NSF γη 1093 N-NSF καρποφορει 2592 5719 V-PAI-3S πρωτον 4412 ADV χορτον 5528 N-ASM ειτα 1534 ADV σταχυν 4719 N-ASM ειτα 1534 ADV πληρη 4134 A-ASM σιτον 4621 N-ASM εν 1722 PREP τω 3588 T-DSM σταχυι 4719 N-DSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
28. Of herself (automath). Lit., self-acting. It occurs in only one other passage of the New Testament, Acts xii. 10; of the city gate which opened to Peter of its own accord.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:28 {Of herself} (automate). 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 automate 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, qen the ear, qen the full corn in the ear" (prwton corton, eiten stacun, eiten plere siton en twi stacui). 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).
