Teks -- Mark 4:10 (NET)

The Purpose of Parables

4:10 When he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Mar 4:10 - When he was alone

When he was alone ( hote egeneto kata monas ).

Only in Mark. Vivid recollection of Peter. Mark has also "they that were about him with the twelve"(hoi peri auton sun tois dōdeka ), Matthew and Luke simply "the disciples."They did not want the multitude to see that they did not understand the teaching of Jesus.

Vincent: Mar 4:10 - When he was alone

When he was alone

Mark only.

Vincent: Mar 4:10 - They that were about him with the twelve

They that were about him with the twelve

Mark only. Matthew and Luke, the disciples.

Wesley: Mar 4:10 - When he was alone

That is, retired apart from the multitude.

JFB: Mar 4:10 - And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve

Probably those who followed Him most closely and were firmest in discipleship, next to the Twelve.

JFB: Mar 4:10 - asked of him the parable

The reply would seem to intimate that this parable of the sower was of that fundamental, comprehensive, and introductory character which we have assigned to it (see on Mat 13:1).

Reason for Teaching in Parables (Mar 4:11-12, Mar 4:21-25).

Clarke: Mar 4:10 - They that were about him

They that were about him - None of the other evangelists intimate that there were any besides the twelve with him: but it appears there were several others present; and though they were not styled disciples, yet they appear to have seriously attended to his public and private instructions.

TSK: Mar 4:10

Mar 4:34, Mar 7:17; Pro 13:20; Mat 13:10-17, Mat 13:36; Luk 8:9-15

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Mar 4:3-20 - given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God // See Poole on "Mat 13:1"

Ver. 3-20. See Poole on "Mat 13:1" , and following verses to Mat 13:23 . The parable is recorded both by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and is of excellent use:

1. To show the excellency of the word of God, which is here (as in other places) called the word it is the seed of God, the good seed: and the excellency of the ordinance of preaching, for that is the seed sown.

2. To show us the different effect of the word preached from moral discourses and philosophical disputes, from which can be expected no fruit; but where the sower soweth the word, there is yet a very different effect. Some bring forth the fruit of faith and holiness, and the abiding fruit of it, though in different degrees. But many, yea the most of those that hear it, either bring forth no fruit, or no abiding fruit, which is indeed no true fruit. The causes of this are, some men’ s perfunctory and careless hearing, never regarding to meditate on it, apply it to their own souls, or to hide it in their memories. Others not suffering it to sink into their hearts, and to take root in them, though it may at present a little affect them, and make them matter of discourse. Other men’ s thoughts being taken up with business, and the care of this world, and their hearts filled with the love of the things of this life, which they cannot part with when trouble and persecution for the owning and profession of the gospel ariseth.

3. It likewise teacheth us a sure note of unprofitable hearers of the word, as also of those whom the word is likely to profit, and have any good and saving effect upon. The former hear, but never regard whether they understand what they hear, yea or no. The others are not satisfied with hearing unless they understand; for those who went to him to know the parable, were not the twelve only, (who are often called his disciples emphatically), but those others that were about him, to whom it was

given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God

4. The most of our Saviour’ s hearers were doubtless members of the Jewish church, yet our Saviour, Mar 4:11 , styles the most of them those that are without; which teacheth us that not only such as are out of the pale of the church, but those also who are out of the degree of election, those to whom it is not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, are in Christ’ s account without. For other things concerning this parable, they are fully spoken to in our notes;

See Poole on "Mat 13:1" , and following verses to Mat 13:23 .

Haydock: Mar 4:10 - When he was alone

When he was alone: in Greek Ote egeneto Katamonas; i.e. when he was retired and alone, either in the house, out of the city, or at a distance from the multitude. (Tirinus)

Gill: Mar 4:10 - And when he was alone // they that were about him with the twelve // asked of him the parable

And when he was alone,.... After the multitude was dismissed, and he either remained in the ship, or left it, and retired to some private place, it may be to Simon's house in Capernaum. The Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, "when they were alone"; meaning as follows,

they that were about him with the twelve; that is, such disciples of his, who, besides the twelve, constantly attended him; perhaps those who now were, or hereafter were the seventy disciples. The Vulgate Latin reads, "the twelve that were with him". In Beza's most ancient copy it is read, "his disciples"; and to this agrees the Persic version; and so the other evangelists, Matthew and Luke, relate, that his disciples came and

asked of him the parable; the meaning of it, and why he chose this way of speaking to the people, Mat 13:10, though that word may include others besides the twelve.