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Mark 4

And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

The sower soweth the word.

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

What does Mark 4:11 mean?

Explanation

Mark 4:11, as recorded in the King James Version of the Bible, reflects a moment where Jesus explains to His disciples the purpose of parables. Parables are simple stories used to illustrate moral or spiritual lessons.

In this verse, Jesus distinguishes between two groups: His disciples ("you"), to whom the deep knowledge or mystery of the kingdom of God is given, and those "without" (often interpreted as those outside the circle of disciples or the uninitiated), who receive the teachings in parables.

The literal meaning is clear, Jesus is explaining why he teaches in parables.

The deeper meaning suggests that there are layers of understanding in Jesus' teachings.

Those close to him (the disciples) are granted clearer insight, while others may only grasp the surface meaning without further revelation or explanation.

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Historical Context

This verse is part of the Gospel of Mark, traditionally considered the second book of the New Testament and often believed to be the earliest Gospel, written around 70 A.D.

At this time, the early Christian community was establishing itself in a Jewish and Greco-Roman world.

Parables were a common teaching tool, both within Jewish teaching and in the surrounding cultures.

Mark's Gospel originally addressed a community that was grappling with understanding Jesus' life and teachings amidst persecution and the challenges of spreading the Christian message in a largely non-Christian world.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Mark 4:11 is rich with implications.

Some theologians interpret this passage as a reflection on divine election, suggesting that understanding the kingdom is a gift given to some and not others.

Others see it as a comment on the nature of revelation, it must be actively pursued and unpacked by the believer, not passively received.

The distinction between the "insiders" (disciples) and "outsiders" has been debated, with some suggesting it implies a certain preordination, while others understand it more as an indication of the disciples' commitment to following Jesus and thus being privy to deeper understanding.

Practical Applications

The practical application of this verse can be seen in how modern Christians approach the Bible and its teachings. It encourages believers to seek a deeper understanding beyond the literal text. It also emphasizes the importance of discipleship and community in discerning spiritual truths.

Furthermore, it challenges individuals to reflect on whether they are "inside" or "outside", not in terms of salvation necessarily but in terms of comprehension and engagement with the message of the Gospel.

Cross-References

Matthew 13:11 - "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
Luke 8:10 - "And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."
1 Corinthians 2:7 - "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:"
2 Corinthians 4:3 - "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:"

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of Mark 4:11 are "mystery" (μυστήριον, mustērion) and "given" (δέδοται, dedotai).

The word "mustērion" in Greek does not just mean something unknown, but refers more to something that is being revealed or can be known only through revelation or initiation.

The word "dedotai," a perfect passive indicative form, conveys the meaning of something that has been given or granted, indicating that the ability to know the mysteries is not something the disciples have achieved on their own but is a gift.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Parables are also found in other ancient cultures and religions, including within Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism.

They serve as teaching tools that encapsulate practical wisdom or spiritual truths.

In the Hebrew tradition, parables were known as "mashal" and were a common feature of rabbinical teaching.

The use of parables in Christianity, as shown in this verse, differs in that it highlights a unique Christian perspective on revelation and understanding, where insight into spiritual mysteries is associated with one's relationship to Jesus and the divine.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, understanding parables can be linked to cognitive and psychological studies on how humans comprehend, store, and retrieve information.

Parables utilize stories and analogy, which can be more memorable and impactful than abstract teaching.

Cognitive science recognizes the power of narrative in shaping human thought and behavior, often validating the effectiveness of parables in moral and spiritual teaching.

Commentaries

Various expert commentaries on Mark 4:11 reflect on the purpose and function of parables in Jesus' ministry.

William Barclay notes that parables were a method of teaching that compelled the listener to think and discover truth.

John Calvin comments on the "mystery" of the kingdom, stating that it is indeed a secret hidden from the human mind but revealed by the Spirit to the followers of Christ.

Craig A.

Evans, in his work on Mark's Gospel, discusses how parables served as a mode of indirect communication that could be protective in hostile environments and also a means of probing the listener's openness to spiritual truth.

The consensus among many scholars is that the use of parables was strategic and pedagogical, inviting those who were truly interested to delve deeper into the teachings of Jesus.

Mark 4

Mark 4

What does Mark 4:11 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 4:11 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?