Mark 4:11

And he said to them, To you is given the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things are given in the form of stories;

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

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:

In Context

10And when he was by himself, those who were round him with the twelve put questions to him about the purpose of the stories.

12So that seeing they may see, and it will not be clear to them; and hearing it, they will not get the sense; for fear that they may be turned again to me and have forgiveness.

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Cross References

Matthew 13:11And he said to them in answer, To you is given the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Matthew 16:17And Jesus made answer and said to him, A blessing on you, Simon Bar-jonah: because this knowledge has not come to you from flesh and blood, but from my Father in heaven.

Luke 10:21In that same hour he was full of joy in the Holy Spirit and said, I give praise to you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have kept these things secret from the wise and the men of learning, and have made them clear to little children: for so, O Father, it was pleasing in your eyes.

1 Corinthians 5:12For it is no business of mine to be judging those who are outside; but it is yours to be judging those who are among you;

Ephesians 1:9Having made clear to us the secret of his purpose, in agreement with the design which he had in mind, to put into his hands

Colossians 4:5Be wise in your behaviour to those who are outside, making good use of the time.

Matthew Henry on Mark 4:2-21

The Parable of the Sower. 1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had… Read the whole commentary →

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