Mark 4 · Verse 33

Mark 4:33

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
Mark 4:33, King James Version

Mark 4:33 in other translations

BSBWith many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.
WEBWith many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.
ASVAnd with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it;
YLTAnd with many such similes he was speaking to them the word, as they were able to hear,
DARBYAnd with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear,
BBEAnd with a number of such stories he gave them his teaching, as they were able to take it:
WebsterAnd with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

What does Mark 4:33 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
33. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it--Had this been said in the corresponding passage of Matthew, we should have concluded that what that Evangelist recorded was but a specimen of other parables spoken on the same occasion. But Matthew (Mt 13:34) says, "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables"; and as Mark records only some of the parables which Matthew gives, we are warranted to infer that the "many such parables" alluded to here mean no more than the full complement of them which we find in Matthew.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 33. Spake he the word. The word of God. The doctrines of his gospel.

As they were able to hear it. As they could comprehend it. They were like children; and he was obliged to lead them along cautiously, and by degrees, to a full understanding of the plan of salvation.

(h) "greater than all herbs" Prov 4:18, Isa 11:9, Dan 11:44, Mal 1:11 (i) "as they were able" Jn 16:12

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 33 With many such parables - Πολλαις, many, is omitted by L, sixteen others; the Syriac, both the Persic, one Arabic, Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopic, and two of the Itala. Mill approves of the omission, and Griesbach leaves it doubtful. It is probably an interpolation: the text reads better without it. As they were able to hear - Ακουειν, or to understand always suiting his teaching to the capacities of his hearers. I have always found that preacher most useful, who could adapt his phrase to that of the people to whom he preached. Studying different dialects, and forms of speech, among the common people, is a more difficult and a more useful work than the study of dead languages. The one a man should do, and the other he need not leave undone.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Mark 4:21-34

These declarations were intended to call the attention of the disciples to the word of Christ. By his thus instructing them, they were made able to instruct others; as candles are lighted, not to be covered, but to be placed on a candlestick, that they may give light to a room. This parable of the good seed, shows the manner in which the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. Let but the word of Christ have the…

Read the full comment on Mark 4:21-34 →

Mark 4:33 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
τοιαύταιςtoiautaiswith suchG5108
παραβολαῖςparabolaisparablesG3850
πολλαῖςpollaismanyG4183
ἐλάλειelaleiHe was speakingG2980
αὐτοῖςautoisto themG846
τὸνtontheG3588
λόγονlogonwordG3056
καθὼςkathōseven asG2531
ἠδύναντοēdunantothey were ableG1410
ἀκούειν.akoueinto hear.G191

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

Cross references for Mark 4:33

  • Matthew 13:34-35

    All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

  • John 16:12

    I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:1-2

    And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

  • Hebrews 5:11-14

    Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
with.
Mt 13:34,35
as.
Joh 16:12; 1Co 3:1,2; Heb 5:11-14

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

Context

  • Mark 4:32

    But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

  • Mark 4:33

    And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

  • Mark 4:34

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

Read all of Mark 4

Mark 4:33 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y con muchas tales parábolas les hablaba la palabra, conforme á lo que podían oir.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et par plusieurs paraboles de cette sorte, il leur annonçait la parole, selon qu’ils pouvaient l’entendre;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und in vielen solchen Gleichnissen redete er zu ihnen das Wort, wie sie es zu hören vermochten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et talibus multis parabolis loquebatur eis verbum, prout poterant audire: