COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 37
“ Mark 4:10 And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable. 11 And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And He said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?” (Mark 4:10-13; Matt 13:10-17; Luke 8:9-10).
THE PRIVILEGE OF UNDERSTANDING
INTRODUCTION
In order to walk acceptably with God and bring forth fruit to Him, understanding – spiritual understanding – is imperative. God is not glorified by ignorance – in fact that is what alienates men from Him (Eph 4:18). Although spiritual simplicity and unfamiliarity with the things of God are quite common in our time, such conditions are wholly unacceptable. Since the advent of Jesus and the appearance of the grace of God (Tit 2:11), moral and spiritual darkness have had to give way to the illuminating and healing “Sun of righteousness” (Mal 4:2). Wherever that darkness remains – especially if it is in a professed “Christian” environment, a great abnormality exists. And, it is an intolerable one, even though men have grown accustomed to it. If eternal life is knowing God and Jesus (John 17:3; 1 John 5:20), then being fundamentally ignorant of Them and Their ways is equivalent to death. It is always serious when people have been exposed to the words of the Lord – however vague and mysterious they may appear to them – and go their ways without pursuing and gaining an understanding of them. The commonness of this circumstance does not make it right or acceptable.
If it is true that Jesus has come to “give us an understanding” (1 John 5:20), then something is fundamentally wrong if ignorance continues. Those who are the real children of God will not be content to remain “unlearned” in the ways of the Lord. Like Paul, they will relentlessly press forward to “know” the Lord and His ways (Phil 3:10).
THE BLESSEDNESS OF AN INQUIRING MIND
“ 4:10 And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable.”
Jesus has just delivered the parable of the sower to the multitudes, and it will prove to be a means of discovering what type of hearts the listeners had. The parable itself will be lived out as the hearts of men are exposed by the words of the Lord Jesus.
WHEN HE WAS ALONE. Jesus had concluded the parable of the sower with these words, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear”(Mk 4:9; Matt 13:10). Luke says He “cried” out, or “called out” NIV these words, shouting them, as it were, toward the multitudes (Lk 8:8). Now Mark says “He was alone.” Either He left the multitudes, sent them away, or they departed of their own accord. It appears from our text that the people left Him. They made no further inquiry concerning the parable, but were like a lot of “church” people who were content to hear, but not understand.
In this case, those who left did not have “ears to hear.” That is why they had no further interest in what Jesus said. For those with “ears to hear,” there is an arresting tone in the words of the Lord – something that calls out for further inquiry, awaking a desire for understanding and discernment. As Jesus speaks in this text, it will become apparent that everyone has not been given “ears to hear.” This is not a natural aptitude, or a capacity with which men are born naturally. I will develop this thought more fully in verse twelve.
THEY THAT WERE ABOUT HIM WITH THE TWELVE. Matthew says, “And His disciples came,” indicating that while He was “alone” they sought Him out (Matt 13:10). The NASB reads, “And as soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve,” indicating that they were waiting for an opportunity to be more fully taught by Him.
This remains a consistent trait among those who have truly “tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Pet 2:3). They press to hear more from the Lord, and are not content with what He offers to the masses. This nature of the kingdom is not generally known – that Jesus does not speak the same to everyone. The multitudes did not hear such discourses as Jesus delivered to the woman at the well (John 4:13-14,21-23), Nicodemus (John 3:3-21), the two on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:25-27,32), or Peter, James, John, and Andrew (Mk 13:3-37). There were many other occasions when Christ’s disciples – those who willingly sat at His feet to learn – were vouchsafed special understanding (Mk 8:34; 9:31; 12:43; Lk 11:1).
Redefining Seekers. Right here it is necessary to redefine “seekers” – a word that has been greatly corrupted by the religious opportunists of the day. Ordinarily, this term is used to describe those who are fundamentally unlearned, and have only a casual interest in the things of God. For them, it is thought the best strategy is to tone down the things of God, and eliminate a lot of references to the Word of God. However, in this text, the real “seekers” are made known. These are the ones who come to Jesus after the multitudes have left, and inquire further into the things of God. A real “seeker” is in the process of seeking!
Seekers are described as pursuing the Lord with “all their heart, and all their soul” (Deut 4:29; Psa 119:2). Such souls “shall praise the Lord” (Psa 22:26), for they are actually not seeking mere information, but the “face” of the Lord (Psa 24:6). God ONLY rewards those who “diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6).
The real “seekers” are the ones to whom Jesus opens the things of the Kingdom. In this way, God is rewarding those who “diligently seek Him,” and fulfilling the promise that He spoke through His Son: “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matt 7:8).
ASKED OF HIM THE PARABLE. Matthew says His disciples asked Him, “Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?” (Matt 13:10). Luke reports that they asked, “What might this parable be?” or “What does this parable mean?” NKJV (Lk 8:9). Mark says they “asked Him about the parable.” NKJV
All of these representations are true, indicating that the disciples actually engaged in a conversation with Jesus. First, they wanted to know what the parable meant. Also, they inquired why he delivered it to the multitude in the first place. They knew they did not understand its meaning, and were certain the multitudes to whom it was spoken did not grasp its meaning either. Why, then, speak the parable at all? Why should the Master deliver a word to the people that they could not understand? To the carnal mind, this makes no sense at all. However, Jesus was casting “seed” upon a variety of soils – including His own disciples. The disciples were doing what “good ground” does. That is, before the “seed” can grow, it must first be tended and nourished with holy interest and energetic pursuits. This is the very point in which the vast religious multitudes are eliminated.
GIVEN TO KNOW THE MYSTERY
“ 11a And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God . . . ” Other versions read, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God,” NKJV “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God,” NASB “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you,” NIV and “To you has been entrusted the mystery of the kingdom of God [that is, the secret counsels of God which are hidden from the ungodly].” AMPLIFIED Matthew and Mark record this identical saying, with the exception of saying “mysteries of the kingdom,” rather than “mystery” (Matt 13:11; Lk 8:10). Mark provides us with a grand overview of the kingdom, while Matthew and Luke speak of its details. What is said of the whole of the kingdom is therefore true of its individual parts, or various aspects and levels of involvement.
UNTO YOU IT IS GIVEN TO KNOW. In His response Jesus explains why some people discern the things of God, while others do not. It is not that some are intellectual, while others are not. It is not that some are more disciplined students than others, or that some have had a better upbringing that their peers.
The perception of Divine purpose and workings (“the mystery of the kingdom”) is not intended to be known by everyone. The Lord does not scatter “the precious things of heaven” (Deut 33:13) among the sons of men indiscriminately.
On one occasion Jesus thanked God for this kingdom arrangement – namely that some people could, and some people could not understand the things of God. “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou . . . hast revealed them unto babes” (Matt 11:25). Thus He said to His disciples, “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear” (Matt 13:16).
One notable example of this blessing is seen in Peter’s discernment of the Person of Christ. When He said of Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus replied that it had been “given” to him to know this truth. “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matt 16:17). Such a thing, Jesus affirmed, is good in God’s sight. “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou . . . hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight” (Luke 10:21).
Paul said he had been blessed to know “the mystery of” God’s “will.” “Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to his good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself” (Eph 1:8-9).
The secret to spiritual understanding, therefore, is not a user-friendly version of the Bible! Nor, indeed, is the secret found in knowing, what is called, “the original” Hebrews and Greek texts. The advantage in understanding is not found in anything men have done or can do. If God has not “given” the privilege of understanding to a person, there is no way by which it can be attained.
For some, this is too difficult to receive, for it pounds the flesh down into the ground. However, the reluctance of men to receive this truth has no bearing whatsoever upon the facts in the case. Further, we should not stumble at this kingdom reality. God has unveiled the kind of heart to which He is inclined, and we do well to ingest these words.
☞ God focuses on the soul that is sensitive to Him. “ . . . to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word”(Isa 66:2).
☞ God dwells with the person who is offended by sin. “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a
contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isa 57:15).
☞ God will reveal His secret and His covenant to those who fear Him. “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and He will show them His covenant” (Psa 25:14).
☞ God respects the person who considers himself lowly. “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly . . . ” (Psa 138:6).
☞ God rewards those who diligently seek Him. “ . . . He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6).
Such souls will not have the mystery of the kingdom of God hidden to them!
THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM. The manner of the kingdom of God – His rule and the objective of that rule – is a total mystery to the flesh. There is no form of human wisdom that can discover the workings of the Lord. It is something that must be revealed. Otherwise, it cannot be known. This is not a mystery because it IS NOT known, but because it CANNOT be known independently of God giving people the right and ability to know such things. God is in total control of every facet of His kingdom.
UNDERSTANDING IS WITHHELD FROM SOME
“ 11b . . . but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?”
In this text Jesus reveals the cause of continued spiritual ignorance – even after the Lord of glory Himself speaks to the people. Matthew provides additional details about Jesus’ response, affirming those who did not possess understanding, even though truth was given to them, would have taken from them even what they possessed. He said that was why He spoke to them in parables (Matt 13:12-13). He went on to say that this fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, who said the people would see, but not perceive (Matt 13:14-15; Isa 6:9-10).
THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT. Jesus refers to the Jewish multitude as “them that are without.” They were included among the Jews according to the flesh, but excluded according to the spirit, for “he is a Jew which is one inwardly” (Rom 2:29). In this case, those who are not “given to understand the mystery of the kingdom” were “without.” If that was not the case, God would have allowed them to see the matters of the kingdom.
NOT PERCEIVING AND NOT UNDERSTANDING. Jesus affirms that it is possible to be exposed to the truth of God, and yet realize not one whit of profit from it. Such can see Jesus and hear His words, yet utterly fail to perceive who He is or what He means.
This was a people who were stubborn and hardhearted, but that is not what ultimately concealed the truth from them. That condition led to their ultimate blindness of heart which was imposed upon them by God Himself. Isaiah described this judgment: “For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath He covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed” (Isa 29:10-11). Matthew presents Jesus as quoting this text in His answer to His disciples (Matt 13:15). There the people are said to have closed their own eyes. That is, their choice to reject God’s Word is what led to God’s judgment upon them.
It is a most serious matter when there is a lack of spiritual understanding within the professed church. It is an indication of a most sobering circumstance. We ought not imagine that God has ceased closing peoples’ eyes, hardening their hearts, and causing their spiritual leaders to be blind. When men do not take His salvation seriously, judgment is on the way. As it is written, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation” (Heb 2:3).
LEST AT ANY TIME. This is a most arresting word: “lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” Matthew reads, “lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matt 13:15). This clearly affirms that there are some people whom God will not allow to be converted! Do men think they can play with God, dabbling in sin and refusing to respond to His call? Let them think again! This is equivalent to being unable to renew someone to repentance, “seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame” (Heb 6:4-6).
These are not conditions that men can discern, and it is not their business to attempt to diagnose peoples’ ultimate spiritual destiny. However, this condition does exist, and there is not one thing men can do about it. If God does not give people eyes to see, they will not be able to do so. When Israel displayed a lack of interest in the words of the Lord, Moses told them, “Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day” (Deut 29:4). I do not doubt that many of us have faced the same kind of situation – one in which people could not understand. The existence of such a state ought to cause men to shudder with great fear. How appropriate are the words of both Moses and the Lord Jesus, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Deut 6:16; Matt 4:7).
HOW THEN WILL YE KNOW? We catch a glimpse of the heart of the Lord here. There is a certain abrasiveness to the ignorance of men. “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable” NIV Jesus’ meaning is that this parable is so obvious and understandable, that they would surely by stymied by sayings of even deeper import. What is obvious in the Spirit is not at all obvious in the flesh! This explanation of human response to Divine truth could not be discerned by Christ’s disciples at that time. But when the Spirit would come, He would show them the truth in all of its grandeur, and they would be able to see the truth (John 16:13). Jesus will not have to speak to us in such a manner if we walk in the Spirit and live by faith.