The Purpose of the Parables

10 And (A)when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, (B)“To you has been given (C)the secret of the kingdom of God, but for (D)those outside everything is in parables, 12 (E)so that

“‘they (F)may indeed see but not perceive,
    and may indeed hear but not understand,
lest they (G)should turn and be forgiven.’”

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Why Jesus Used Parables

10 When He was alone with the Twelve,(A) those who were around Him asked Him about the parables.(B) 11 He answered them, “The secret(C) of the kingdom of God(D) has been given to you, but to those outside,(E) everything comes in parables 12 so that

they may look and look,
yet not perceive;
they may listen and listen,
yet not understand;(F)
otherwise, they might turn back—
and be forgiven.[a](G)[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 4:12 Other mss read and their sins be forgiven them
  2. Mark 4:12 Is 6:9-10