Mark 4 · Verse 34

Mark 4:34

But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Mark 4:34, King James Version

Mark 4:34 in other translations

BSBHe did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.
WEBWithout a parable he didn’t speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
ASVand without a parable spake he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things.
YLTand without a simile he was not speaking to them, and by themselves, to his disciples he was expounding all.
DARBYbut without a parable spoke he not to them; and in private he explained all things to his disciples.
BBEAnd without a story he said nothing to them: but privately to his disciples he made all things clear.
WebsterBut without a parable he spoke not to them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

What does Mark 4:34 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
34. But without a parable spake he not unto them--See on Mt 13:34. and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples--See on Mr 4:22. Mr 4:35-5:20. Jesus Crossing the Sea of Galilee, Miraculously Stills a Tempest--He Cures the Demoniac of Gadara. ( = Mt 8:23-34; Lu 8:22-39). The time of this section is very definitely marked by our Evangelist, and by him alone, in the opening words. Jesus Stills a Tempest on the Sea of Galilee (Mr 4:35-41).

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 34. Without a parable spake he not unto them. That is, the things pertaining to his kingdom. On other subjects he spake without parables. On these, such was their prejudice, so many notions had they contrary to the nature of his kingdom, and so liable would plain instructions have been to give offence, that he employed this method to insinuate truth gradually into their minds, and to prepare them fully to understand the nature of his kingdom.

They were alone. His disciples.

He expounded. Explained. Showed them more at length the spiritual meaning of the parables.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 34 He expounded all things to his disciples - That they might be capable of instructing others. Outside hearers, those who do not come into close fellowship with the true disciples of Christ, have seldom more than a superficial knowledge of Divine things. In the fellowship of the saints, where Jesus the teacher is always to be found, every thing is made plain, - for the secret of the Lord is with them who fear him.

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 4:34 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.

χωρὶςchōrisWithoutG5565
δὲdethenG1161
παραβολῆςparabolēsparablesG3850
οὐκouknotG3756
ἐλάλειelaleiwas He speakingG2980
αὐτοῖς·autoisto them;G846
κατ᾽kat᾽inG2596
ἰδίανidianprivateG2398
δὲdehoweverG1161
τοῖςtois<the>G3588
ἰδίοιςidioisto [His] ownG2398
μαθηταῖςmathētaisdisciplesG3101
ἐπέλυενepeluenHe was explainingG1956
πάντα.¶pantaall things.G3956

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

Cross references for Mark 4:34

  • John 16:25

    These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

  • Luke 24:27

    And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

  • Mark 4:10

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

  • Matthew 13:36-43

    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. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. …

  • Matthew 15:15-20

    Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. …

  • Luke 8:9-10

    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.

  • Luke 24:44-46

    And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

  • Mark 7:17-23

    And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. …

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
when.
10; 7:17-23; Mt 13:36-43; 15:15-20; Lu 8:9,10; 24:27,44-46

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

Context

  • 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.

  • Mark 4:35

    And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

Read all of Mark 4

Mark 4:34 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y sin parábola no les hablaba; mas á sus discípulos en particular declaraba todo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		mais il ne leur parlait pas sans parabole; et en particulier il interprétait tout à ses disciples.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ohne Gleichnis aber redete er nicht zu ihnen; aber seinen Jüngern erklärte er alles besonders.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		sine parabola autem non loquebatur eis: seorsum autem discipulis suis disserebat omnia.