Mark 4 10

Mark 4:10 kjv

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

Mark 4:10 nkjv

But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.

Mark 4:10 niv

When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.

Mark 4:10 esv

And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

Mark 4:10 nlt

Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 10 Meaning

Mark 4:10 signifies a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry where, having delivered parables to the general multitude, He retreats to a private setting. Here, a select group of close followers, explicitly including the twelve apostles and other intimate disciples, seek deeper clarity and understanding concerning the spiritual significance of His parabolic teachings. This separation underscores a divine design in revealing spiritual truths more profoundly to those who earnestly desire and diligently seek such illumination, distinguishing them from the casual listeners among the crowd.

Mark 4 10 Context

Mark 4:10 directly follows Jesus' public teaching of the Parable of the Sower, the Lamp Under a Basket, the Growing Seed, and the Mustard Seed to large crowds. Prior to this, Jesus often taught in public spaces by the sea or in houses (Mk 3:7-9, 4:1-2). This verse marks a transition where Jesus intentionally moves from public discourse to private instruction, specifically engaging with His disciples "alone," apart from the multitude. This distinction is crucial, establishing a pattern where Jesus elucidates deeper truths for His committed followers after presenting initial parables to the general public. Historically and culturally, this mirrors the rabbinic tradition where a master would reserve profound teachings for inner circles of dedicated students. It implicitly draws a contrast with those who merely heard without truly seeking understanding, setting the stage for Jesus' explanation of why He taught in parables in Mark 4:11-12.

Mark 4 10 Word analysis

• When he was alone (Greek: kai hote egeneto kata monas - καὶ ὅτε ἐγένετο κατά μόνας):
  • Kata monas means "apart," "separately," or "by oneself." It emphasizes Jesus' withdrawal from the larger crowd to a private setting.
  • Significance: This action is deliberate. Jesus regularly creates space for intimate teaching moments with His disciples, away from the distractions or limitations of the general public audience. It suggests a qualitative difference in instruction given.
• those around him (Greek: hoi peri auton - οἱ περὶ αὐτὸν):
  • This phrase signifies an inner circle of followers who consistently accompanied Jesus.
  • It distinguishes a broader group of committed disciples beyond just the appointed Twelve, suggesting varying degrees of proximity and devotion to Jesus. This group shows a hunger for understanding.
• with the twelve (Greek: syn tois dōdeka - σὺν τοῖς δώδεκα):
  • Explicitly includes the apostles chosen by Jesus (Mk 3:13-19).
  • The "Twelve" hold a special position of authority and foundational importance in the burgeoning new covenant community. Their inclusion here highlights their unique privilege and responsibility to comprehend Jesus' teachings.
• asked him (Greek: ērōtōn auton - ἠρώτων αὐτόν):
  • Erōtaō means "to ask" or "to question."
  • The imperfect tense of the verb implies a continuous, persistent, or repeated action. It conveys their earnest and possibly collective ongoing questioning, indicating a genuine desire for elucidation rather than a fleeting curiosity.
• about the parables (Greek: peri tōn parabolōn - περὶ τῶν παραβολῶν):
  • Parabolē (from para, "alongside," and ballō, "to throw") literally means "a placing alongside," referring to a comparison, illustration, or proverb.
  • The plural "parables" (τῶν παραβολῶν) indicates their inquiry wasn't about a single story but about the entire cluster of teachings Jesus had just delivered in figurative language (e.g., the Sower, the Lamp, the Growing Seed, the Mustard Seed). This highlights their comprehensive need for spiritual interpretation.

• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "When he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him...": This group of phrases paints a vivid picture of the shift in teaching modality. Jesus deliberately isolates Himself and is approached by His closest adherents, demonstrating that true spiritual understanding is often cultivated in intimate, dedicated fellowship, away from the general noise and superficiality. It implies a privilege given to those who actively seek it, contrasting with those who are merely observers.
  • "...asked him about the parables.": This signifies the disciples' active engagement and spiritual hunger. Unlike the crowds, who merely heard, these disciples recognized the deeper implications of Jesus' words and took the initiative to seek explanation, setting themselves apart as genuine learners of divine truth.

Mark 4 10 Bonus section

The distinction drawn in Mark 4:10 between the public and private teaching further underscores a "mystery of the Kingdom" concept. Jesus' use of parables served a dual purpose: to both illustrate truth to those prepared to receive it and to conceal it from those whose hearts were hardened or who lacked the earnestness to seek further. The disciples, by actively asking, demonstrated they possessed the "ears to hear" that Jesus spoke of (Mk 4:9), making them worthy recipients of deeper insight. This verse therefore reveals not only Jesus' teaching methodology but also the prerequisite of humility and fervent desire on the part of the student for divine revelation. The establishment of "the twelve" alongside "those around him" further clarifies the expanding and deepening levels of spiritual privilege and understanding available to those who drew close to Jesus and committed to His teachings.

Mark 4 10 Commentary

Mark 4:10 functions as a crucial interpretive pivot within the Gospel of Mark. After Jesus publicly communicates divine truths veiled in parables, He then creates an exclusive, private space for His dedicated followers. This intentional segregation is not about elitism but rather about spiritual receptivity and responsibility. "Those around him with the twelve" represents an emergent, distinct community of faith, differentiated by their proactive spiritual hunger. Their collective, persistent questioning—signified by the imperfect tense—shows an earnest desire to move beyond mere hearing to profound understanding, which is a hallmark of genuine discipleship. Jesus' subsequent detailed explanation confirms His commitment to nurturing those who seek truth wholeheartedly, implying that revelation is conditional upon one's posture toward Him and His message. This verse highlights that deeper understanding of God's Kingdom is a gift extended to the diligent and faithful, setting a pattern for how spiritual mysteries are unveiled to those within God's household who truly long to grasp them.