Bible Strands
Mark 4:25
For whoever has will be given more. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses a gathered crowd and His disciples concerning how they receive and respond to His spoken message.
The words — ἔχει (echei) = has; δοθήσεται (dothēsetai) = it will be given. The text declares that anyone who possesses receptive understanding will receive additional measure, while anyone lacking it will forfeit even their current grasp.
The thread — The parallel formulation appears in Matthew 13:12 and Luke 8:18, with Luke 8:18 uniquely adding the phrase "what he thinks he has." The same principle of proportional response governs the servant evaluation in Matthew 25:28.
Why it lands — The text demands active, careful reception of the message rather than passive exposure, warning that spiritual neglect results in progressive loss.
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
For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
Cross-references
- Matthew 13:12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
- Luke 8:18 Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
- Matthew 25:28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.
- John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.
- Luke 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.
- Luke 19:24 Then he told those standing by, ‘Take the mina from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’