Bible Strands
Mark 4:10
As soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve and those around Him, they asked Him about the parable.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus is alone with the Twelve and those around Him when they initiate a question about the parable He just taught. This occurs immediately after His command to hear and before His explanation of why He speaks in parables.
The words — The Greek ἠρώτων (ērōtōn) translates to "they were asking," indicating a continuous inquiry. The phrase κατὰ μόνας (kata monas) literally means "utterly alone," marking a shift from public teaching to private instruction.
The thread — This private questioning motif appears in Matthew 13:10 and Matthew 13:36, where disciples seek clarification after crowds are dismissed. Mark 4:34 similarly notes that Jesus explained everything privately to His own disciples.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that understanding the kingdom is tied to proximity to Jesus and direct inquiry. It demands active engagement with His teaching rather than passive observation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
Cross-references
- Matthew 13:10 Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?”
- Matthew 13:36 Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
- Mark 4:34 He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.
- Mark 7:17 After Jesus had left the crowd and gone into the house, His disciples inquired about the parable.
- Luke 8:9 Then His disciples asked Him what this parable meant.
- Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.