Markus 1:15

1:15 He ¹  said, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God ²  is near. Repent and believe the gospel!”

Markus 4:29

4:29 And when the grain is ripe, he sends in the sickle ³  because the harvest has come.” ⁴ 

Markus 6:1

Rejection at Nazareth

6:1 Now ⁵  Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, ⁶  and his disciples followed him.

[1:15]  ¹ tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

[1:15]  ² sn The kingdom of God is a reference to the sovereign activity of God as he rules over his creation and brings his plans to realization.

[4:29]  ³ tn The Greek word εὐθύς (euqus, often translated “immediately” or “right away”) has not been translated here. It sometimes occurs with a weakened, inferential use (BDAG 406 s.v. 2), not contributing significantly to the flow of the narrative. For further discussion, see R. J. Decker, Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb in the Gospel of Mark with Reference to Verbal Aspect (SBG 10), 73-77.

[4:29]  ⁴ sn Because the harvest has come. This parable is found only in Mark (cf. Matt 13:24-30) and presents a complete picture of the coming of God’s kingdom: (1) sowing; (2) growth; (3) harvest. Some understand the parable as a reference to evangelism. While this is certainly involved, it does not seem to be the central idea. In contrast to the parable of the sower which emphasizes the quality of the different soils, this parable emphasizes the power of the seed to cause growth (with the clear implication that the mysterious growth of the kingdom is accomplished by God), apart from human understanding and observation.

[6:1]  ⁵ tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[6:1]  ⁶ sn Jesus’ hometown (where he spent his childhood years) was Nazareth, about 20 miles (30 km) southwest of Capernaum.