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:
Parallel translations
- WEB He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,
- BSB He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables,
- NKJV And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,
- NASB And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but for those who are outside, everything comes in parables,
- NLT He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders,
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
Jesus says the mystery of God's kingdom is given to his followers while outsiders receive parables. It matters because understanding the kingdom is a gift of grace, not mere intellect.
Overview
The 'mystery' is the once-hidden truth of God's reign now revealed in Christ to those granted insight. Disciples receive understanding as a gift, while the hardened remain on the outside. This distinction underscores both God's sovereign grace in revelation and the accountability of those who refuse to truly hear.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Matt 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
- Luke 8:10And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
- 1 Jn 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
- Col 4:5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
- 1 Th 4:12That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
- Jas 1:16–18Do not err, my beloved brethren.
- 1 Cor 5:12–13For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
- 1 Tim 3:7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- Eph 1:9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
- Eph 2:4–10But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
- Titus 3:3–7For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
- Matt 13:16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
- Matt 16:17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
- Luke 10:21–24In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
- 2 Cor 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- 1 Cor 4:7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
- Matt 13:11–13He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
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 4:11 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.