Luke 8 10

Luke 8:10 kjv

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Luke 8:10 nkjv

And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'

Luke 8:10 niv

He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, "?'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'

Luke 8:10 esv

he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'

Luke 8:10 nlt

He 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 8 verses

Luke 8 10 Meaning

Luke 8:10 reveals Jesus' rationale for teaching in parables. He states that to His disciples, the "mysteries of the kingdom of God" have been divinely granted to be understood. Conversely, for "the rest"—those outside the inner circle of discipleship—His teachings are delivered in parables so that their lack of spiritual perception persists, fulfilling prophecy. It signifies a sovereign distinction in revelation based on divine will and human receptivity or hardened unbelief.

Luke 8 10 Context

Luke 8:10 directly follows the Parable of the Sower, one of Jesus' foundational teachings, and precedes its detailed explanation to the disciples. The disciples' implied or explicit question (as seen in parallels like Matt 13:10) concerning why Jesus spoke in parables prompts this explanation. This verse, therefore, clarifies Jesus' didactic strategy and its profound theological implications regarding access to divine truth. Historically, parables were a common form of Jewish teaching, engaging hearers with vivid, relatable stories. However, Jesus' application of this method took on a distinctive meaning: it not only illustrated but also intentionally differentiated His audience based on their spiritual receptivity to the coming Kingdom of God, establishing an "inner" and "outer" circle of understanding.

Luke 8 10 Word analysis

• He said (ἔφη, ephē): Simple past tense, indicating Jesus' direct and authoritative response to the disciples.

• to you (ὑμῖν, hymin): Dative plural, emphasizing a specific recipient group—the disciples. This highlights a privileged, unique access to understanding granted to them.

• it has been granted (δέδοται, dedotai): Perfect passive indicative. The passive voice ("divine passive") strongly implies God as the unstated agent of this granting. It speaks of a completed action with continuing results, denoting sovereign divine enablement and grace, not human effort.

• to know (γνῶναι, gnōnai): Aorist infinitive, referring to experiential and profound understanding, not merely intellectual awareness.

• the mysteries (τὰ μυστήρια, ta mystēria): Not puzzles or secrets meant to be incomprehensible, but truths once hidden, now divinely revealed, especially pertaining to God's plan of salvation and His kingdom.

• of the kingdom of God (τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ, tēs basileias tou theou): The central theme of Jesus' ministry. It signifies God's dynamic, redemptive reign, both present (in Christ) and future (consummation).

• but to the rest (τοῖς δὲ λοιποῖς, tois de loipois): Marks a clear contrast with "you" (the disciples). This refers to those outside the committed circle of followers, often those who had heard but not truly received Jesus' teaching.

• in parables (ἐν παραβολαῖς, en parabolais): Refers to Jesus' chosen teaching method. A parabolē (παραβολή) is a comparison or illustration, placing one thing beside another. It is inherently both revealing and concealing, depending on the listener's spiritual state.

• so that (ἵνα, hina): A purpose clause, highly significant. It indicates divine intent and design behind the use of parables for "the rest." It's not a mere consequence, but a deliberate purpose.

• seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand (βλέποντες μὴ βλέπωσιν καὶ ἀκούοντες μὴ συνιῶσιν, blepontes mē blepōsin kai akouontes mē syniōsin): A direct quotation from Isa 6:9-10 (Septuagint). This signifies judicial hardening: their prior rejection of truth has led to a divinely permitted inability to perceive deeper spiritual truth. They possess physical senses but lack spiritual comprehension. The negation mē indicates an objective unfulfilled expectation or a preventive measure.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "to you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God": This phrase emphasizes the exclusive and gracious divine initiative in granting spiritual understanding to the disciples, setting them apart and equipping them to perceive the deep truths of God's redemptive plan.
  • "but to the rest in parables": This sharp contrast reveals the dual function of parables. For the committed, they clarify; for others, they serve a different, more veiled purpose, withholding deeper truth.
  • "so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand": This pivotal clause, referencing Isaiah, points to the divinely ordained consequence of hardened hearts. It is not that parables are designed to be obscure from the outset for everyone, but for those whose hearts are closed, they function as instruments of judgment, obscuring further truth due to prior rejection.

Luke 8 10 Bonus section

This verse carries a significant polemical edge against those contemporary religious leaders and people who claimed spiritual insight yet rejected Jesus. By quoting Isa 6:9-10, Jesus implicitly claimed to be the one through whom this prophetic hardening was being fulfilled, positioning Himself as God's ultimate messenger and judge. This asserted Jesus' authority not only to reveal truth but also to withhold it. Furthermore, it underscored a key aspect of discipleship: a special grace of discernment granted to those who truly followed Him. This privilege also implied a greater responsibility to steward and propagate the understood "mysteries." It delineates an inherent divide based not merely on proximity to Jesus, but on genuine spiritual allegiance.

Luke 8 10 Commentary

Luke 8:10 unveils a profound theological truth about God's revelation and human responsibility. Jesus' parables served a dual purpose: to illuminate the "mysteries of the kingdom of God" for those spiritually receptive (the disciples) and, simultaneously, to veil these truths from those with hardened hearts ("the rest"). This isn't arbitrary divine withholding, but rather a consequence of continuous unbelief, echoing the prophecy in Isaiah 6:9-10. For those who deliberately refused to see or hear God's message in simpler terms, the parables intensified their spiritual blindness, making deeper understanding inaccessible. Conversely, for those who sought Him, parables offered layers of meaning, inviting deeper contemplation and leading to profound insight. This principle highlights that spiritual truth requires a humble, seeking heart; without it, even simple divine teaching becomes incomprehensible.For example, a person genuinely seeking God may find deep spiritual meaning in a parable like the Prodigal Son, leading to repentance and faith. In contrast, someone with a skeptical or cynical heart might dismiss it as a mere story with no personal relevance, thus remaining blind to its transformative message of grace.