Mark 4:2 kjv
And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Mark 4:2 nkjv
Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:
Mark 4:2 niv
He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said:
Mark 4:2 esv
And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:
Mark 4:2 nlt
He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
Mark 4 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 4:10-12 | And when He was alone... they asked Him about the parables... | Jesus explains the purpose of parables to conceal Kingdom truths from some while revealing them to others. |
| Mt 13:10-17 | The disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"... | Parallel account of disciples' question and Jesus's explanation for using parables. |
| Lk 8:9-10 | And His disciples asked Him what this parable meant... | Parallel account, disciples inquiring about parable meaning. |
| Ps 78:2 | I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old... | Prophetic scripture suggesting a future teacher would speak in parables. |
| Prov 1:6 | To understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles. | Connection to the ancient tradition of using figures of speech to convey wisdom. |
| Mk 1:22 | And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority... | General statement about Jesus's authoritative teaching style. |
| Mt 7:28-29 | The crowds were astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who had authority... | Emphasis on Jesus's teaching authority, connecting to His "teaching" here. |
| Jn 3:2 | Nicodemus... said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God..." | Recognition of Jesus's identity as a divinely appointed teacher. |
| Lk 4:31-32 | He was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. | Further evidence of Jesus's powerful and authoritative instruction. |
| Mk 3:7-9 | Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea... He told His disciples to have a boat ready for Him... | Foreshadows the use of the boat for teaching large crowds. |
| Mt 13:1-2 | The same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea... So great crowds gathered... | Direct parallel event, showing the setting (boat, sea) and crowd. |
| Lk 5:1-3 | The people pressed around Him to hear the word of God... He got into one of the boats... | Another instance of Jesus teaching a multitude from a boat. |
| Mk 1:15 | "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." | Core message of Jesus's ministry, which parables explain further. |
| Mt 4:17 | From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." | Jesus's initial call related to the Kingdom. |
| Col 1:26-27 | The mystery which has been hidden from ages... has now been revealed to His saints. | The concept of mysteries being revealed through God's communication, relevant to parables. |
| Mk 4:9 | "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." | The direct challenge accompanying Jesus's parable teaching, emphasizing the need for receptive hearts. |
| Is 6:9-10 | "Go, and say to this people: 'Hear, indeed, but do not understand...'" | Prophetic background for why some would hear Jesus's parables but not comprehend them. |
| Jer 5:21 | "Hear this, O foolish and senseless people... who have ears but hear not, who have eyes but see not." | Reiterates the spiritual blindness that can accompany physical hearing. |
| Heb 4:2 | For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them... | Illustrates how hearing God's word is insufficient without faith and understanding. |
| Jn 16:25 | "I have spoken to you in figures; the hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures..." | Jesus indicates a transition from speaking in figures (parables) to plain speech later on. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching... | General principle of divine instruction and its purpose. |
| 1 Cor 2:7 | But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom... | Relates to God revealing divine truth through unexpected means. |
Mark 4 verses
Mark 4 2 Meaning
Mark 4:2 describes Jesus engaging in continuous instruction to a large multitude, employing parables as his primary method of conveying spiritual truths. This verse highlights Jesus's role as a teacher and sets the stage for the parable of the sower and other kingdom parables that follow in the chapter. It emphasizes that what He was delivering was formal, authoritative teaching (διδαχῇ, didachē), presented in a relatable yet often challenging allegorical form, designed to both reveal and conceal.
Mark 4 2 Context
Mark 4:2 follows directly after Jesus has taken to a boat on the Sea of Galilee due to an exceedingly large crowd gathered on the shore. This setting (Mk 4:1) provided a natural amphitheater, allowing His voice to carry effectively to the multitudes. The verse immediately introduces His method of instruction—teaching in parables—which then unfolds throughout the rest of the chapter, beginning with the foundational Parable of the Sower (Mk 4:3-9). Historically and culturally, parables were a common form of communication among Jewish rabbis, making Jesus's approach familiar yet uniquely impactful through His authority and divine insight into the Kingdom of God. This chapter initiates a section focused on the nature and growth of God's Kingdom, particularly as revealed through agricultural metaphors.
Mark 4 2 Word analysis
- And he taught: Greek: Καὶ ἐδίδασκεν (Kai edidasken). "And" connects to Jesus taking His position in the boat (Mk 4:1), signifying an immediate action following His preparation. "He taught" (imperfect tense) denotes a continuous or habitual action, underscoring that teaching was a constant, central aspect of Jesus’s ministry to the gathered masses. It establishes His identity as Didaskalos (Teacher).
- them: Refers to the "great crowd" (Mk 4:1). This emphasizes Jesus's inclusive ministry to the public, offering divine truths to anyone willing to listen.
- much: Greek: πολλά (polla). Can mean "many" or "much." It indicates the extensive quantity of His teaching through parables, highlighting that this was a significant, not incidental, portion of His instruction during this period.
- in parables: Greek: ἐν παραβολαῖς (en parabolais). Parabolē (παραβολή) signifies a comparison, juxtaposition, or a likeness drawn from common life, often presenting a riddle or dark saying. The preposition "in" (ἐν) indicates that parables were the chosen mode or medium of His instruction. This method served a dual purpose: to illuminate truths for those with receptive hearts while simultaneously concealing understanding from those who remained resistant or uninterested.
- and said to them: Greek: καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς (kai elegen autois). The imperfect tense of "said" (ἔλεγεν) also denotes continuous or repeated speech. It further emphasizes that what followed was verbal pronouncement, forming part of His public discourse.
- in his teaching: Greek: ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ (en tē didachē autou). Didachē (διδαχῇ) means "teaching," "instruction," or "doctrine." This phrase re-emphasizes the authoritative and substantive nature of His words. It distinguishes His communication from casual storytelling, declaring it as integral to His divine instruction and the core of His message about the Kingdom.
Word-Group Analysis:
- And he taught them much in parables: This phrase signifies Jesus's specific pedagogical approach to the large crowds. He deliberately chose this indirect method of communication to convey profound spiritual realities using relatable, earthly illustrations, which would challenge listeners to seek deeper understanding beyond the surface narrative.
- and said to them in his teaching: This part highlights the formality and authority behind the parables. It's not merely that He spoke parables, but that these parables were His authoritative teaching. The repetition or emphasis underlines that these profound comparisons constituted the doctrinal content of His public ministry.
Mark 4 2 Bonus section
The deliberate use of parables highlights Jesus's divine wisdom as the ultimate Teacher. He understood the human condition: people respond better to stories and relatable experiences than abstract concepts. However, His parables went beyond simple analogies; they were living narratives imbued with divine intent, requiring an "ear to hear" that transcended mere physical hearing. This strategy served to filter His audience, separating those truly seeking God's truth from casual onlookers or those with hardened hearts. This setting by the Sea of Galilee, a vibrant hub of life, also served to immerse the spiritual message within the context of everyday existence, connecting the divine to the mundane activities of fishing and farming, making the Kingdom of God ever-present in their reality.
Mark 4 2 Commentary
Mark 4:2 succinctly captures the essence of Jesus's public teaching ministry in Galilee: accessible yet profound, delivered to the masses through the strategic use of parables. This verse introduces a crucial shift in Jesus's communication strategy; previously, He often taught directly (e.g., in synagogues or healing encounters). Here, facing overwhelming crowds by the sea, He adopts a more illustrative approach. The "much" (πολλά) suggests a significant body of such teaching.
The employment of parables (παραβολαῖς) was not merely a practical solution for large audiences but a deliberate theological choice. As elucidated in Mark 4:11-12, parables served to reveal the "mystery of the kingdom of God" to those spiritually prepared while veiling it from those outside—the spiritually unperceptive or resistant. Thus, the parables were not simple explanations but tests, demanding a receptive heart to grasp their meaning.
The phrase "in his teaching" (ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ) reinforces the weight and authority of what Jesus imparted. These were not random anecdotes but foundational doctrines, albeit presented in an allegorical form. The continuous action suggested by the imperfect tense of "taught" (ἐδίδασκεν) and "said" (ἔλεγεν) underscores Jesus's relentless commitment to instructing His people, laying down eternal truths in a way that resonated with their daily lives. The parables of the Kingdom, rooted in everyday imagery, connected celestial truths to agrarian existence, making the abstract concept of God's rule tangible and relatable, yet requiring spiritual insight to truly apprehend.