Mark 4:10-11
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
The Purpose of the Parables. 10 And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. 11 [a]He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables,
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- 4:11–12 These verses are to be viewed against their background in Mk 3:6, 22 concerning the unbelief and opposition Jesus encountered in his ministry. It is against this background that the distinction in Jesus’ method becomes clear of presenting the kingdom to the disbelieving crowd in one manner and to the disciples in another. To the former it is presented in parables and the truth remains hidden; for the latter the parable is interpreted and the mystery is partially revealed because of their faith; see notes on Mt 13:11 and Mt 13:13.
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