But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
All Commentaries on Mark 4:29 Go To Mark 4
John Chrysostom
AD 407
Vict. Ant.e Cat. in Marc.: A parable occurred, a little above, about the three seeds which perished in various ways, and the one which was saved; in which last Healso shows three differences, according to the proportion of faith andpractice.Here, however, He puts forth a parable concerning those only who are saved. Wherefore it is said, “And He said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground”.
Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.: Or else He calls by the name of kingdom of God, faith in Him, and in the economy of His Incarnation; which kingdom indeed is as if a man should throw seed. For He Himself being God and the Son of God, having without change been made man, has cast seed upon the earth, that is, He has enlightened the whole world by the word of divine knowledge.
Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.: Or Christ Himself is the man who rises, for He sat waiting with patience, that they who received seed should bear fruit. He rises, that is, by the word of His love, He makes us grow to the bringing forth fruit, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand, by which is meant the day, and on the left, by which is meant the night of persecution; for by these the seed springs up, and does not wither.
Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.: Or else He says, “He knoweth not,” that He may show the free-will of those who receive the word, for He commits a work to our will, and does not work the whole Himself alone, lest the good should seem involuntary. For the earth brings forth fruits of its own accord, that is, she is brought to bear fruit without being compelled by a necessity contrary to her will. “First the blade.”
