Mark 4:13 - Barnes' Notes

Mark 4:13

11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to ^aknow the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to ^bthose who are outside, all things come in parables,

12 so that
^a‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”

The Parable of the Sower Explained

13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

14 ^aThe sower sows the word.

15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

<< Mark 4:12

Mark 4:14 >>

Mark 4:10-13

See the notes at Matthew 13:10-17. On Mark 4:12, see the notes at John 12:39-40.

When he was alone - That is, separate from the multitude. When he withdrew from the multitude a few followed him for the purpose of more instruction.

Mark 4:13

Know ye not this parable? - This which is so plain and obvious.

How then will ye know all parables? - Those which are more difficult and obscure. As they were themselves to be "teachers," it was important that they should be acquainted with the whole system of religion - of much more importance for them at that time than for the mass of the people.

**Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Mark 4:13:**

Matthew 13:18-23
Matthew 13:18-23
Mark 4:10-13

<< Mark 4:12

Mark 4:14 >>

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