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.”
Parallel translations
- WEB For whoever has, to him will more be given, and he who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.”
- 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.
- BSB For whoever has will be given more. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
- 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.”
- NASB For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
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
To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has is taken. It matters because it states the principle that response to truth leads to gain or loss.
Overview
Those who receive and use the word grow in understanding, while those who neglect it lose even what they had. This solemn principle underscores accountability in how we treat God's truth. Jesus warns against spiritual complacency and urges active, fruitful reception of the kingdom's message.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Matt 13:12For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has.
- Luke 8:18Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.”
- Matt 25:28–29Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
- John 15:2Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
- Luke 19:24–26He said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina away from him, and give it to him who has the ten minas.’
- Luke 16:9–12I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 4:25 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.