Mark 4 · Verse 11

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:
Mark 4:11, King James Version

Mark 4:11 in other translations

BSBHe replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables,
WEBHe said to them, “To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,
ASVAnd he said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables:
YLTand he said to them, ‘To you it hath been given to know the secret of the reign of God, but to those who are without, in similes are all the things done;
DARBYAnd he said to them, To you is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to them who are without, all things are done in parables,
BBEAnd 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;
WebsterAnd he said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

What does Mark 4:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 4:11-12
11-12. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them, &c.--See on Mt 13:10-17.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 11.

(g) "Unto you" Eph 1:9 (h) "are without" Col 4:5, 1Thes 4:12, 1Timm 3:7

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 11 Unto you it is given to know - Γνωναι, to know, is omitted by ABKL, ten others, the Coptic, and one of the Itala. The omission of this word makes a material alteration in the sense; for without it the passage may be read thus: - To you the mystery of the kingdom of God is given; but all these things are transacted in parables to those without. Griesbach leaves it doubtful. And Professor White says, probabiliter delendum. I should be inclined to omit it, were it not found in the parallel passages in Matthew and Luke, in neither of whom it is omitted by any MS. or version. See the dissertation on parabolical writing at the end of Mat 13:58.

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 4:11 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.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἔλεγενelegenHe was sayingG3004
αὐτοῖς·autoisto them;G846
ὑμῖνhuminTo youG4771
τὸtotheG3588
μυστήριονmustērionmysteryG3466
δέδοταιdedotaihas been givenG1325
τῆςtēsof theG3588
βασιλείαςbasileiaskingdomG932
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦ,theouof God,G2316
ἐκείνοιςekeinoisTo thoseG1565
δὲdehoweverG1161
τοῖςtoiswho areG3588
ἔξωexōoutsideG1854
ἐνeninG1722
παραβολαῖςparabolaisparablesG3850
τὰta<the>G3588
πάνταpantaeverythingG3956
γίνεταιginetaiis doneG1096

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

Cross references for Mark 4:11

  • Matthew 11:25

    At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

  • Luke 8:10

    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.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:12

    That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

  • James 1:16-18

    Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

    For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

  • 1 John 5:20

    And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

  • Colossians 4:5

    Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

  • Titus 3:3-7

    For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; …

  • Ephesians 1:9

    Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

  • Ephesians 2:4-10

    But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. …

  • 1 Timothy 3:7

    Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

  • Matthew 13:16

    But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Unto you.
Mt 11:25; 13:11,12,16; 16:17; Lu 8:10; 10:21-24; 1Co 4:7; 2Co 4:6
Eph 1:9; 2:4-10; Tit 3:3-7; Jas 1:16-18; 1Jo 5:20
them.
1Co 5:12,13; Col 4:5; 1Th 4:12; 1Ti 3:7
all these.
Mt 13:13

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

Context

  • 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:

  • Mark 4:12

    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.

Read all of Mark 4

Mark 4:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y les dijo: A vosotros es dado saber el misterio del reino de Dios; mas á los que están fuera, por parábolas todas las cosas;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et il leur dit: À vous il est donné de connaître le mystère du royaume de Dieu; mais pour ceux qui sont dehors, toutes choses se traitent par des paraboles,
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und er sprach zu ihnen: Euch ist es gegeben, das Geheimnis des Reiches Gottes zu wissen; jenen aber, die draußen sind, geschieht alles in Gleichnissen,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Et dicebat eis: Vobis datum est nosse mysterium regni Dei: illis autem, qui foris sunt, in parabolis omnia fiunt: