Bible Strands
Mark 4:11
He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus replies to the Twelve and those gathered around Him after they request an explanation of a parable. He addresses them as recipients of divine access while contrasting them with "those on the outside."
The words — μυστήριον (mustērion) means "mystery" or concealed truth, and δέδοται (dedotai) means "has been given," indicating a passive divine action. The text explicitly states that kingdom secrets are imparted to the inner group, while parabolic speech conceals them from outsiders.
The thread — This pattern of sovereign revelation versus concealment runs through Luke 8:10 and Matthew 11:25, where Jesus affirms that God withholds understanding from some while granting it to others.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment that spiritual comprehension is an assigned gift, not a human achievement. It requires the reader to accept that access to kingdom truth operates by divine distribution rather than universal availability.
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 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:
Cross-references
- Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
- Luke 8:10 He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’
- 1 Corinthians 5:12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
- Colossians 4:5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:12 Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
- James 1:16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
- 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
- Ephesians 1:9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ
- Ephesians 2:4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
- 1 Timothy 3:7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.