Mark 4 13

Mark 4:13 kjv

And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

Mark 4:13 nkjv

And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

Mark 4:13 niv

Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?

Mark 4:13 esv

And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

Mark 4:13 nlt

Then Jesus said to them, "If you can't understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 13 Meaning

Mark 4:13 conveys Jesus' direct challenge to His disciples regarding their lack of understanding of the foundational Parable of the Sower. He essentially states that if they cannot grasp the meaning of this primary parable, which is relatively straightforward, how will they ever comprehend the deeper truths hidden within His other teachings, especially those communicated through parables? It highlights the critical nature of understanding spiritual truth as a prerequisite for further revelation.

Mark 4 13 Context

Mark 4:13 stands at a pivotal point in Jesus’ ministry within Mark’s Gospel, specifically following the telling of the Parable of the Sower (Mk 4:1-9) and Jesus' initial explanation to His inner circle about the purpose of parables (Mk 4:10-12). This immediate exchange takes place privately between Jesus and "those around him with the twelve," differentiating them from the general crowds. Jesus has just introduced a new teaching method using parables, which veil spiritual truths from those not intended to understand while revealing them to those prepared to receive. His question in verse 13 expresses a mild rebuke mixed with an imperative challenge: understanding this first parable is the prerequisite or key to comprehending the entire framework of His Kingdom teachings. Historically and culturally, parables were common teaching tools in ancient Near Eastern contexts, used by rabbis to convey moral or spiritual truths, often with layered meanings. Jesus' unique use here sets His teachings apart by deliberate concealment and revelation.

Mark 4 13 Word analysis

• And he said to them: Signifies a direct address to the disciples, not the crowds.

• Do you not understand:

  • οὐκ οἴδατε (ouk oidate): From "oida," meaning "to know" in an intuitive, experiential sense, rather than mere factual knowledge. It's a question indicating a deficiency in their internal grasping, rather than just an intellectual failure. This implies a deeper, spiritual apprehension.
  • this parable: Refers specifically to the Parable of the Sower, which has just been recounted. This parable is foundational as it describes the various ways in which people respond to God's word, and thus is an allegory for receiving and understanding all divine teaching.

• How then:

  • πῶς (pōs): A rhetorical question emphasizing impossibility or extreme difficulty. If they struggle with this fundamental truth, a path to deeper understanding seems blocked without further aid.

• will you understand all the parables:

  • πάσας τὰς παραβολάς (pasas tas parabolás): "all the parables." This shows that the Parable of the Sower is a master key or interpretive framework for the entire parabolic teaching of Jesus. Failing to grasp its message would preclude them from understanding the "secrets of the kingdom" which these parables communicate.
  • This implies a progressive revelation: basic understanding unlocks more profound truths.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Do you not understand this parable?": This interrogative functions as both a gentle rebuke and a call to introspection. It exposes their current spiritual comprehension gap despite their close proximity to Jesus. It challenges the assumption that merely being present means understanding.
  • "How then will you understand all the parables?": This rhetorical follow-up emphasizes the interconnectedness of Jesus' teaching. It asserts that there's a foundational prerequisite to deeper spiritual insight. This particular parable provides the template for discerning why some receive the Word and flourish, while others do not. Failing this diagnostic test would prevent spiritual growth.

Mark 4 13 Bonus section

• The disciples, despite being personally chosen by Jesus and having direct access to His teachings, still struggled with spiritual comprehension at various points (Mk 6:52, 8:17-21). This verse is one of the earliest indications of their ongoing need for growth in understanding.
• This statement highlights the principle of "to him who has, more will be given" (Mk 4:25). Understanding the foundational truth of the Sower parable is having that initial "seed" of comprehension which then allows for more understanding to be cultivated.
• The rhetorical "How then" implies a pedagogical method from Jesus, where He meets His disciples where they are, challenging them to deepen their spiritual discernment before progressing to more complex truths.
• It reinforces the idea that the Kingdom of God and its principles operate on a spiritual logic that differs from worldly wisdom and requires divine revelation for full apprehension.

Mark 4 13 Commentary

Mark 4:13 serves as a pivotal moment, shifting from Jesus speaking to the crowds in parables to His private instruction of the disciples. It reveals Jesus' expectation that His inner circle would grasp deeper spiritual truths. His question is a rhetorical challenge, highlighting the essential nature of understanding the Parable of the Sower. This parable is not just one story among many; it outlines the very conditions for hearing and responding to the message of the Kingdom of God. If the disciples miss this fundamental teaching about reception and obstruction to the Word, their ability to discern the intricate layers of meaning in other parables, which further unfold the mysteries of the Kingdom, would be severely hampered. It underscores that spiritual insight is not automatic but requires genuine engagement and, often, divine illumination. It is a call to move beyond superficial listening to profound comprehension, for a failure at the foundational level inhibits further progress in spiritual knowledge.