Mark 4:29

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 4:29 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Mark 4:29 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
29But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But when the fruit is brought forth, etc..] Unto perfection, and is fully ripe; signifying that when grace is brought to maturity, and faith is performed with power, and the good work begun is perfected; then, as the husbandman, immediately he putteth the sickle; and cuts it down, and gathers it in; because the harvest is come; at death or at the end of the world, which the harvest represents: when all the elect of God are called by grace, and grace in them is brought to its perfection, and they have brought forth all the fruit they were ordained to bear, they will then be all gathered in; either by Christ himself who comes into his garden, and gathers his lilies by death; or by the angels,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Immediately he putteth in the sickle - This is the way with the farmer. As soon as the grain is ripe it is cut down. So it is often with the Christian. As soon as he is prepared for heaven he is taken there. But we are not to press this part of the parable, as if it meant that all are removed as soon as they are fit for heaven. Every parable contains circumstances thrown in to fill up the story, which cannot be literally interpreted. In this, the circumstance of sleeping and rising cannot be applied to Christ; and in like manner, the harvest, I suppose, is not to be literally interpreted. Perhaps the whole parable may be differently interpreted. The seed sown may mean the gospel which he was…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:29 Harvest time is analogous to the final inauguration of God’s Kingdom. A sickle is a frequent symbol of the final judgment (Jer 50:16; Joel 3:13; Rev 14:14-19).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“brought forth: or, ripe, Job 5:26; Ti2 4:7, Ti2 4:8 he putteth: Isa 57:1, Isa 57:2; Joe 3:13; Mat 13:30, Mat 13:40-43; Rev 14:13-17 Mark 4:30”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification