Mark 4 25

Mark 4:25 kjv

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

Mark 4:25 nkjv

For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."

Mark 4:25 niv

Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."

Mark 4:25 esv

For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

Mark 4:25 nlt

To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them."

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 25 Meaning

Mark 4:25 declares a profound spiritual principle of multiplication or forfeiture, deeply embedded in the economy of God's Kingdom. It asserts that those who possess and actively engage with spiritual truth, understanding, or gifts will be granted even greater abundance. Conversely, those who lack a responsive heart or fail to utilize what they have received or perceive to have, will find even that apparent possession taken away. This verse encapsulates a dynamic of spiritual growth and decay, highlighting the active role of an individual's receptivity and stewardship in the process of divine revelation and grace.

Mark 4 25 Context

Mark chapter 4 is dedicated to Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom of God, primarily through parables. Following the Parable of the Sower (vv. 3-9), Jesus privately explains to His disciples the purpose of parables – to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom to those within (vv. 10-12) and to conceal them from those outside who remain unresponsive. He then explains the Parable of the Sower, detailing different types of reception to the word (vv. 13-20). Immediately before verse 25, Jesus introduces a series of proverbial sayings (vv. 21-24) about the lamp being put on a stand (revealing light), and the importance of attentive hearing, "with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you." Verse 25 serves as a summary principle and a climactic conclusion to these aphorisms about hearing, receiving, and revealing the truth. It underscores the active consequence of how one engages with the revealed Word of God. The historical context reflects a time when many listened to Jesus, but only a few truly received and bore fruit.

Mark 4 25 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): A causal conjunction, indicating that what follows explains or gives reason for the preceding statements (especially the maxim in v. 24 about giving attentive ear and being measured accordingly).
• whoever has (ὃς γὰρ ἔχει - hos gar echei):
  • ὃς (hos): "whoever," a generic masculine singular relative pronoun, indicating a universal principle applicable to anyone.
  • ἔχει (echei): Third person singular present active indicative of ἔχω (echō), "to have, to possess, to hold." In this context, "what one has" refers not necessarily to material possessions, but specifically to spiritual understanding, discernment, insight, receptivity to the Kingdom of God, or the initial spark of truth planted by the Word. It implies an active engagement with or possession of something intangible. This 'having' is not passive storage but dynamic ownership and utilization.
• to him (δοθήσεται αὐτῷ - dothesetai autō):
  • δοθήσεται (dothesetai): Future passive indicative of δίδωμι (didōmi), "to give, to grant." The passive voice implies a divine agent – God is the one doing the giving. This highlights God's sovereignty and abundant grace towards the responsive heart.
  • αὐτῷ (autō): Dative masculine singular pronoun, "to him," specifying the recipient.
• more will be given (προστεθήσεται αὐτῷ - prostethēsetai autō OR περισσευθήσεται - perisseuthēsetai): Manuscript variations exist, but the meaning is consistent.
  • προστεθήσεται (prostethēsetai): Future passive indicative of προστίθημι (prostithemi), "to add to, to increase." This means augmentation, building upon what is already present.
  • περισσευθήσεται (perisseuthēsetai): Future passive indicative of περισσεύω (perisseuō), "to abound, to be in abundance." This emphasizes superabundance, an overflowing beyond expectation, denoting growth in fullness. Both options signify greater measure and richness in spiritual understanding and reception.
• and whoever does not have (καὶ ὃς οὐκ ἔχει - kai hos ouk echei):
  • οὐκ ἔχει (ouk echei): "does not have," expressing a complete absence or negation. This "not having" is not merely a lack of initial receipt, but crucially, a failure to cultivate, engage with, or act upon whatever preliminary or superficial grasp of truth may have been granted or encountered. It denotes spiritual barrenness, resistance, or lethargy.
• even what he has (καὶ ὃ ἔχει - kai ho echei):
  • This is a profound paradox. If one "does not have," how can something "be taken away" from what he "has"? This "what he has" refers to any semblance of understanding, any external connection to the truth, any potential for spiritual growth, or even the fundamental capacity to perceive God's truth. It’s an appearance of possessing that which is not truly owned or lived out, like barren ground appearing fertile until the sun scorches it (Parable of Sower). It implies a squandering of potential or opportunity.
• will be taken away from him (ἀρθήσεται ἀπ' αὐτοῦ - arthesetai ap' autou):
  • ἀρθήσεται (arthesetai): Future passive indicative of αἴρω (airō), "to take away, to lift off, to remove." The passive voice again indicates a divine or providential action. It is a judgment for unresponsiveness or unfaithfulness.
  • ἀπ' αὐτοῦ (ap' autou): "from him," indicating separation or removal from the individual.

Mark 4 25 Bonus section

This principle can also be seen as reflecting the Kingdom's justice: God entrusts more to those who prove faithful with little. It emphasizes the active nature of spiritual reception – it is not just about passively "getting" something, but about actively "having" it in the sense of possessing and engaging with it. This verse serves as both a profound promise of growth for the diligent and a sobering warning of stagnation or decline for the complacent. It underlines the importance of continuously nurturing and utilizing what one has received from God.

Mark 4 25 Commentary

Mark 4:25 stands as a divine economic principle, stating that spiritual possessions – understanding, insight, responsiveness, or gifts – are not static. They are subject to a dynamic process of increase or decrease based on engagement. This verse functions as a concluding axiom following the Parable of the Sower and its accompanying sayings on discerning revelation. It stresses that hearing the Word, seeing the light, and having the initial understanding are not enough. There must be active cultivation and response.

For those who "have" – meaning those who genuinely receive, accept, and put into practice the spiritual truths and gifts given – God supernaturally increases their capacity and endowment. Their understanding deepens, their insight sharpens, and their spiritual fruitfulness expands. This is not a reward for merit but a principle of growth for diligence and humble stewardship.

Conversely, for those who "do not have," a paradoxical loss occurs. This refers to individuals who appear to have access to spiritual truth, or perhaps a superficial understanding, but their hearts remain unreceptive, disengaged, or unwilling to yield. From them, even this apparent possession or the very capacity to grasp truth will diminish or be removed entirely. They become spiritually hardened or dull, losing even the little they seemingly possessed. This principle explains the spiritual separation that occurred among Jesus's hearers – some gained more, while others grew increasingly blind. It encourages sincere attentiveness and active application of God's Word to ensure continuous spiritual enrichment.

Practical Usage:

• A believer diligently studying Scripture will gain deeper revelation.
• A Christian exercising their spiritual gifts will find them strengthened and amplified.
• Someone ignoring wise counsel might lose the capacity to discern truth.