Bible Strands
Mark 4:33
With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses a listening crowd immediately after concluding the mustard seed parable. He delivers instruction specifically calibrated to their current capacity for comprehension.
The words — The Greek construction τοιαύταις παραβολαῖς (toiautais parabolais) literally renders "with such parables," highlighting the deliberate, adapted nature of his teaching method.
The thread — This graduated approach to revelation recurs in Matthew 13:34, which records Jesus speaking everything to the crowds in parables, and in John 16:12, where he notes his followers cannot yet bear the full weight of his words.
Why it lands — The text establishes that divine communication meets human limitation at its starting point. It requires the reader to accept that understanding advances through measured revelation rather than immediate clarity.
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The Greek words
King James Version
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
Cross-references
- Matthew 13:34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.
- John 16:12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.
- Hebrews 5:11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.