Mark 4:12

As a result it is true what a prophet has written, Although they see what I do, they do not perceive what it means [DOU]. Although they hear what I say, they do not understand what it means [DOU]. So they do not ◄repent/turn away from their sinful behavior► in order that they would be forgiven { God would forgive them}.”

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

In Context

11He said to them, “People have not understood before the new message about how God wants to rule people’s lives. It is to you that this is being made known {that I am making this known}. But I tell about this only ◄in parables/figuratively► to those who have not yet invited God to rule their lives.

13He also said to them, “◄ I am disappointed that you do not understand this illustration!/Can you not understand this illustration?► [RHQ] If you do not understand this, ◄you will certainly not understand any of the other illustrations!/how will you understand any of the other illustrations?► [RHQ] Nevertheless, I will explain it to you.

Read all of Mark 4

Cross References

Deuteronomy 29:4But until now, Yahweh has not enabled you to understand the meaning of all that you have seen and heard.

Isaiah 44:18Those people are very stupid and ignorant [SAR]. It is as though they are blind and cannot see, and their minds are closed and they cannot think well.

Jeremiah 31:18I have heard the people of Israel grieving very much and saying to me, ‘You punished us severely, like [SIM] calves are beaten by their owners to train them for pulling a plow. So bring us back to obey/worship you again, because we are ready to return to you, because you alone are Yahweh, our God.

Ezekiel 18:27But if a wicked person turns away from doing wicked things and does what is just and right [DOU], he will save himself from being executed/punished.

Luke 8:10He said, “God is revealing to you what he did not reveal before, about how he wants to rule [MET] over people’s lives. But when I am telling other people about these things, I tell them only in parables. The result will be like a prophet predicted long ago: They will see what I am doing, but will not perceive what it means. They will hear what I am saying, but will not understand it.

Acts 3:19So, turn away from your sinful behavior and ask God to help you do what pleases him, in order that he may completely forgive you for your sins.

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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