Mark 4 · Verse 10

Mark 4:10

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
Mark 4:10, King James Version

Mark 4:10 in other translations

BSBAs soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve and those around Him, they asked Him about the parable.
WEBWhen he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
ASVAnd when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables.
YLTAnd when he was alone, those about him, with the twelve, did ask him of the simile,
DARBYAnd when he was alone, those about him with the twelve asked him as to the parables.
BBEAnd when he was by himself, those who were round him with the twelve put questions to him about the purpose of the stories.
WebsterAnd when he was alone, they that were about him, with the twelve, asked of him the parable.

What does Mark 4:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
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. 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 Mt 13:1). Reason for Teaching in Parables (Mr 4:11, 12, 21-25).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verses 10-12. Mt 13:10, and Mt 13:11-17, particularly Jn 12:39; Jn 12:40.

When he was alone. That is, separate from the multitude, When he withdrew from the multitude, a few followed him for the purpose of farther instruction.

(f) "And when" Mt 13:10

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 10 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Mark 4:1-20

This parable contained instruction so important, that all capable of hearing were bound to attend to it. There are many things we are concerned to know; and if we understand not the plain truths of the gospel, how shall we learn those more difficult! It will help us to value the privileges we enjoy as disciples of Christ, if we seriously consider the deplorable state of all who have not such privileges. In the great…

Read the full comment on Mark 4:1-20 →

Mark 4:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὅτεhotewhenG3753
ἐγένετοegenetoHe wasG1096
κατὰkatautterlyG2596
μόνας,monasalone,G3441
ἠρώτωνērōtōnthey were askingG2065
αὐτὸνautonHimG846
οἱhoithoseG3588
περὶperiaroundG4012
αὐτὸνautonHimG846
σὺνsunwithG4862
τοῖςtoistheG3588
δώδεκαdōdekaTwelveG1427
τὰςtasabout theG3588
παραβολάς.parabolasparables.G3850

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Mark 4:10

  • Matthew 13:10-17

    And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. …

  • Luke 8:9-15

    And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. …

  • Mark 7:17

    And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

  • Matthew 13:36

    Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

  • Mark 4:34

    But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

  • Proverbs 13:20

    He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
34; 7:17; Pr 13:20; Mt 13:10-17,36; Lu 8:9-15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Mark 4:9

    And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  • Mark 4:10

    And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

  • Mark 4:11

    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:

Read all of Mark 4

Mark 4:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y cuando estuvo solo, le preguntaron los que estaban cerca de él con los doce, sobre la parábola.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et quand il fut en particulier, ceux qui étaient autour de lui, avec les douze, l’interrogèrent touchant la parabole.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und als er allein war, fragten ihn, die um ihn waren mit den Zwölfen um die Gleichnisse.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et cum esset singularis, interrogaverunt eum hi qui cum eo erant duodecim, parabolam.