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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Mark 4:10 - 4:12
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mar_4:10-12
10As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables. 11And He was saying to them, "To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, 12so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven."
Mar_4:10 "As soon as He was alone" This means alone with the disciples. They were apparently embarrassed to ask questions in public. It is obvious they did not understand the parable.
Mar_4:11 "'To you has been given'" This is perfect passive indicative. We are responsible stewards of the spiritual truths we possess. "To whom much is given, much is required" (cf. Luk_12:48).
This private teaching, which seems to be a regular occurrence, may explain the differences between the Synoptic Gospels and John's Gospel. Jesus speaks very differently in John. It is possible that the parabolic teachings, so common in the Synoptics, was done before the crowds and that the totally different style (i.e., "I Am" statements) were done in private with the disciples and this is what the Gospel of John records.
It is just possible that this whole issue of special instruction for the Twelve may have functioned in the early church as a way of accentuating Apostolic authority. They, and they alone, knew the "true" interpretation of Jesus' words. All revelation comes through these chosen and inspired disciples.
▣ "'the mystery'" This is the Greek term mustçrion. It is used in the NT in several different senses. In this context it is revealed truth which the leaders and the crowd could not comprehend (cf. Isa_6:9-10).
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▣ "kingdom of God" See note at Mar_1:15.
▣ "but those who are outside" The Holy Spirit and personal receptivity are both needed to understand spiritual truth. Those who reject the Spirit commit the sin of Mar_3:29. Parables had the dual purpose of hiding truth (cf. Mat_11:25-27) and clearly revealing truth (cf. Luk_10:29 and the parable that follows). The heart of the hearer is the key.
Mar_4:12 This quote is from an Aramaic Targum of Isa_6:9. The Matthean parallel from the Septuagint quotes both Isa_6:9-10. Isaiah's preaching was rejected by the hard-headed Israelites he addressed in the eighth century b.c. Jesus' hearers in the first century a.d. similarly rejected His teaching. subjunctive verbs dominate this quote, which shows the volitional contingency on the part of the hearers.
Although Mark is writing to Gentiles, probably Romans, he often alludes to OT texts (cf. Mar_1:2-3; Mar_2:25-26; Mar_4:12; Mar_10:6-8; Mar_10:19; Mar_12:26; Mar_12:29-31; Mar_12:36).
▣ "they might return" This was the OT (i.e., shub, BDB 996) term for repentance.