Mark 4:11

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.

Cross-references · 17

• Matt 11:25At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.
• Luke 8:10He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’
• 1 Jn 5:20We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
• Col 4:5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
• 1 Th 4:12that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
• Jas 1:16–18Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers.
• 1 Cor 5:12–13For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within?
• 1 Tim 3:7Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.
• Eph 1:9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
• Eph 2:4–10But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
• Titus 3:3–7For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
• Matt 13:16“But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.
• Matt 16:17Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
• Luke 10:21–24In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.”
• 2 Cor 4:6seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone 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 makes you different? And what do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
• Matt 13:11–13He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.

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.