New Living Translation
Mark 4:11
11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders,
Mark 4:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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:
- New International Version (NIV)He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
- English Standard Version (ESV)And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,
- New King James Version (NKJV)And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,
Context of Mark 4:11
9Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 10Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, 12so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’ ” 13Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?
Read all of Mark 4Mark 4:11 word by word
καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ὑμῖν τὸ μυστήριον δέδοται τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ, ἐκείνοις δὲ τοῖς ἔξω ἐν παραβολαῖς τὰ πάντα γίνεταιRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- he saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- unto themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- Unto youσύsu · youG4771
- it is givenδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
- to knowγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
- the mysteryὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the mysteryμυστήριονmustērion · mysteryG3466
- of the kingdomβασιλείαbasileia · kingdomG932
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- butδέde · thenG1161
- unto themἐκεῖνοςekeinos · thatG1565
- that are withoutἔξωexō · out/outside(r)G1854
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- are doneγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- parablesπαραβολήparabolē · parableG3850
Cross-references for Mark 4:11
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.
- Matthew 13:11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.
- Matthew 16:17Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.
- Luke 8:10He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’
- Luke 10:21At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.
- 1 Corinthians 4:7For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?
- 2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 1:9God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.
- Ephesians 2:4But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,
- James 1:16So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
- 1 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
- 1 Corinthians 5:12It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.
- Colossians 4:5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:12Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
- 1 Timothy 3:7Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
- Matthew 13:13That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
Commentaries on Mark 4:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Unto you it is given to know - , to know, is omitted by ABKL, ten others, the Coptic, and one of the Itala. The omission of this word makes a material alteration in the sense; for without it the passage may be read thus: - To you the mystery of the kingdom of God is given; but all these things are transacted in parables to those without. Griesbach leaves it doubtful. And Professor White says, probabiliter delendum. I should be inclined to omit it, were it…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10-13Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-12The true followers of Jesus could understand the secret of the kingdom of God. They knew the kingdom had arrived (1:14–15). They knew that the Christ, the Son of God, was among them (1:1). To those on the outside, it seemed like riddles. When Jesus answered the disciples’ question, he showed that he used parables to keep outsiders from understanding. This was so that they would be unable to repent and be forgiven. The quotation from Isaiah 6:9–10 in the…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 11-1211-12. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them, &c.--See on Mt 13:10-17.Read the comment
Topics related to Mark 4:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Mark 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries