When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
Parallel translations
- KJV And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
- BSB As soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve and those around Him, they asked Him about the parable.
- NKJV But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.
- NASB As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve disciples, began asking Him about the parables.
- NLT Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When alone, the disciples ask Jesus about the parables. It matters because it shows that understanding comes to those who draw near to seek it.
Overview
The Twelve and others around Jesus seek private explanation, distinguishing them from the indifferent crowd. Their desire to understand marks the disposition of true disciples. Jesus' willingness to explain to those who ask reveals that the mysteries of the kingdom are opened to those who come to him in earnest.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Matt 13:10–17The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
- Luke 8:9–15Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?”
- Mark 4:34Without a parable he didn’t speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
- Matt 13:36Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.”
- Mark 7:17When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable.
- Prov 13:20One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 4:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.