Bible Strands
Mark 4:34
He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses both the crowds and His disciples during a period of intensive teaching. This occurs just before evening, when He will direct them to cross to the other side.
The words — χωρὶς (chōris) translates to "Without," and ἰδὶαν (idian) means "private." These terms frame the verse’s structural contrast between public teaching and closed instruction.
The thread — The pattern of figurative public teaching paired with private explanation appears in John 16:25, Mark 4:10, and Luke 24:27. These passages record Jesus shifting from symbolic speech to direct clarification for His followers.
Why it lands — The text states that Jesus withheld direct explanation from the crowds while giving private instruction to His disciples. Readers must seek direct teaching rather than relying solely on figurative speech to grasp the message.
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
But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Cross-references
- John 16:25 I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
- Mark 4:10 As soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve and those around Him, they asked Him about the parable.
- Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.
- 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.”
- Matthew 15:15 Peter said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
- Luke 8:9 Then His disciples asked Him what this parable meant.
- Mark 7:17 After Jesus had left the crowd and gone into the house, His disciples inquired about the parable.
- Luke 24:44 Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”