Mark 4 24

Mark 4:24 kjv

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Mark 4:24 nkjv

Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.

Mark 4:24 niv

"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you?and even more.

Mark 4:24 esv

And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.

Mark 4:24 nlt

Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given ? and you will receive even more.

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 24 Meaning

Mark 4:24 emphasizes the critical importance of how one hears and responds to divine truth. It reveals a profound spiritual principle: the measure of engagement and understanding applied to God's Word determines the measure of spiritual insight, revelation, and blessing one will receive in return. It calls for diligent, active, and discerning listening, asserting that spiritual growth and deeper knowledge are proportional to one's earnest application of what is heard.

Mark 4 24 Context

Mark 4 primarily presents Jesus' parables about the Kingdom of God, beginning with the foundational Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-9, 13-20). This parable immediately sets the theme of different responses to hearing God's Word, represented by various types of soil. After explaining the sower parable privately to His disciples (Mark 4:10-12), Jesus discusses the purpose of parables – to reveal truth to some while veiling it from others. Directly preceding Mark 4:24 are verses 21-23, which use the analogy of a lamp not being hidden, concluding with the crucial call: "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." This verse 24 then amplifies and applies that principle, moving from simply having ears to how one uses them in reception. The entire chapter emphasizes that active, receptive hearing is crucial for entering and experiencing the Kingdom of God. Historically, in an oral culture, direct teaching and listening were paramount, and Jesus often challenged the superficial or hardened hearts of religious leaders who heard His words but rejected His authority and message.

Mark 4 24 Word analysis

• And he said unto them: Jesus is the divine teacher. "Them" refers primarily to His disciples, implying a teaching for those within the circle of His followers, contrasting with those "outside" (Mark 4:11) who are given parables without understanding.
• Take heed: From the Greek blepete (βλέπετε), an imperative verb meaning "look," "see," or "be careful." Here, it commands an active, alert, and discerning engagement with what is heard. It implies caution, thoughtfulness, and intention in one's listening. It's not passive hearing but an attentive, critical receiving.
• what ye hear: From the Greek ti akouete (τί ἀκούετε), referring to the content and substance of the teaching, particularly the parables and truths of the Kingdom of God. The focus is on the nature and quality of the message, but more importantly, on the manner of its reception.
• with what measure: From the Greek en hō metrō (ἐν ᾧ μέτρῳ), using the term metron (μέτρον) meaning a standard, amount, or limit of quantity. This phrase introduces the principle of proportionality, linking input to output.
• ye mete: From the Greek metreite (μετρεῖτε), meaning "to measure out," "to dispense," or "to dole out." This signifies the active role of the hearer—the effort, intention, understanding, and application they invest in receiving and responding to the Word.
• it shall be measured to you: From the Greek metrēthēsetai hymin (μετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν). This uses the divine passive voice, suggesting that God (or a divine spiritual law established by Him) is the ultimate agent of measurement and reciprocation. The outcome is divinely ordained according to one's interaction with the Word.
• and unto you that hear: This re-emphasizes and specifies the audience that benefits. "That hear" here refers not just to auditory reception, but to those who actively and discerningly engage with the truth.
• shall more be given: From the Greek prosklethei kai prostithetai (προστεθήσεται), a future passive meaning "shall be added to." This signifies an increase, an augmentation of understanding, spiritual insight, blessings, or further revelation. It's a promise of abundant returns for those who properly apply what they've already received.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Take heed what ye hear": This phrase highlights the profound responsibility of the listener. It's not merely about receiving information, but critically engaging with it. Jesus warns against superficial or careless listening, emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment of the message. This echoes the concept of spiritual ears mentioned earlier in the chapter.
• "with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you": This is the core principle of spiritual reciprocity, often known as "measure for measure." It describes a direct correlation between the quantity and quality of one's spiritual investment (how they absorb and respond to truth) and the quantity and quality of divine return (the spiritual insight and blessing they receive). It implies that our spiritual capacity and growth are directly linked to our willingness to engage. The "divine passive" points to God upholding this law in the spiritual realm.
• "and unto you that hear shall more be given": This phrase elaborates on the positive consequence of right hearing. For those who actively listen and internalize God's truth, there is not just equal return but a promised overflow and multiplication of spiritual blessings, knowledge, and revelation. This establishes a progression: attentive reception leads to application, which in turn leads to deeper understanding and abundant grace.

Mark 4 24 Bonus section

This verse functions as an essential part of Jesus' teaching on the "secret of the kingdom of God" (Mark 4:11). Those who actively "take heed" and apply the "measure" of engagement demonstrate their receptivity and willingness to understand, and thus, "more shall be given" to them, drawing them further into the revealed mysteries of God's Kingdom. It subtly underlines a polemic against the superficial religiosity of Jesus' time, where outward conformity might be prioritized over inner transformation driven by genuine hearing and obedience. The principle extends beyond intellectual understanding, implying that genuine hearing manifests in obedience and transformative action.

Mark 4 24 Commentary

Mark 4:24 serves as a critical interpretive key for understanding spiritual growth and revelation within the Kingdom of God. Jesus establishes a dynamic principle of spiritual reciprocity: our attentiveness and responsive application of the truth we receive directly correlate with the depth of spiritual understanding and blessing granted to us. This is not about human merit but a divine design. If one hears the Word of God with indifference, a hardened heart, or superficial attention, they gain little. Conversely, the more earnest, diligent, and open-hearted one is in receiving and applying God's teaching, the more spiritual light, understanding, and divine truth will be poured into their lives. This teaching challenges casual engagement with truth and compels a call to deep, practical stewardship of every revelation given by Christ.

Practical Usage Example: A disciple who diligently studies the Scriptures, praying for understanding and applying its principles to their daily life, will find their knowledge of God and His will deepen exponentially over time. In contrast, someone who passively attends services without engaging their mind and heart will remain spiritually shallow, understanding little beyond surface-level teachings.