Mark 10-12

[heatherwayno]

Can anyone explain theses verses to me? The discliples are asking why things are told in parables and I am getting that Jesus is saying so that everyone will not understand and later on he tells a parable and then explains the meaning to the discples. Why would he only explain this to them and why would he not want everyone to understand? Sorry if I am sounding stupid- but I just don't get it.
Thanks!

 

[Beasley]

Can anyone explain theses verses to me? The discliples are asking why things are told in parables and I am getting that Jesus is saying so that everyone will not understand and later on he tells a parable and then explains the meaning to the discples. Why would he only explain this to them and why would he not want everyone to understand? Sorry if I am sounding stupid- but I just don't get it.
Thanks!

Hi Heather:

The reason might be that those outside of the kingdom of God, or unbelievers are only convinced of three things by the Holy Spirit (John 16) the need for Christ because they have not yet believed, the need for righteousness and the certainty of judgment because Satan has already been judged. The unbeliever can't understand Biblical principles so Christ used stories to witness to them. The word 'parable' means to throw light on something. The disciples were just like all new believers. They didn't know anything and just after they were saved they needed things explained to them., they had to learn. They only had about 3 and half years with Christ and you have to keep in mind that at the time of his death they were still pretty immature as believers even though Christ had been teaching they were not always listening. This is shown by their questions to Christ in John 14-17 and some of the things they did, like Peter denying he knew Christ at the trials.

Beasley

 

[TrevorL]

Howdy heatherwayno,

Greetings.

"Can anyone explain theses verses to me? The discliples are asking why things are told in parables and I am getting that Jesus is saying so that everyone will not understand and later on he tells a parable and then explains the meaning to the discples. Why would he only explain this to them and why would he not want everyone to understand?"

Mark 4:10-12 (KJV): "10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 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: 12 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."
One important factor is the statement immediately before:
Mark 4:9 (KJV): "And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Who then are those who have ears to hear? The answer is first given in the parable of the sower:
Mark 4:20 (KJV): "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."

There are additional clues as to who will hear the word and receive it given in the parallel passages:
Matthew 13:23 (KJV): "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty .
Luke 8:15 (KJV): "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it , and bring forth fruit with patience."

The same theme of hearing is mentioned in the following, showing that child-like humility is a necessary component to receiving the word spoken by Jesus:
Matthew 11:25 (KJV): "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Luke 14:35-15:2 (KJV): "35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."

Kind regards
Trevor