<p>4:28 <i>The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear</i>- As noted on :25, these comments are added as caveats to the parable of the sower, lest the impression should be given that all is required is correct exposition of God's word. For this was the great fallacy of Judaism. He who &quot;has&quot; in hearing / understanding / obedience is &quot;given&quot; the more (:25); the hand of grace is a major element in achieving that person's salvation, rather than their own unaided intellectual efforts. And so here, there is an element of mystery to spiritual growth, which even the Lord Himself did not understand; the earth &quot;by itself&quot; appears to produce the fruit. It is not simply a case of receiving the seed into good ground. There is another element in the whole business of spiritual fruition.</p>