The Purpose of the Parables

Mark 4

10 c But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11 And He said to them, "To you it has been given to d know the 1 mystery of the kingdom of God; but to e those who are outside, all things come in parables,

12 "so that
f 'Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.' " 2

13 And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 g "The sower sows the word. 15 "And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 "These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 "and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. 18 "Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 "and the h cares of this world, i the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, 3 accept it, and bear j fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 13:10
    And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?
    Luke 8:9
    Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 11:25
    At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.
    1 Corinthians 2:10 - 16
    But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
    2 Corinthians 4:6
    For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
  3. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:12
    For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?
    1 Corinthians 5:13
    But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person.
    Colossians 4:5
    Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
    1 Thessalonians 4:12
    That you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
    1 Timothy 3:7
    Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
  4. Cross References
    Isaiah 6:9
    And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep o...
    Isaiah 6:10
    "Make the heart of this people dull, And their ...
    Isaiah 43:8
    Bring out the blind people who have eyes, And t...
    Jeremiah 5:21
    Hear this now, O foolish people, Without unders...
    Ezekiel 12:2
    Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebelli...
    Matthew 13:14
    And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled...
    Luke 8:10
    And He said, "To you it has been given to know ...
    John 12:40
    "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their h...
    Romans 11:8
    Just as it is written: "God has given them a sp...
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 13:18 - 23
    Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
    Luke 8:11 - 15
    Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
  6. Cross References
    Luke 21:34
    But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
  7. Cross References
    Proverbs 23:5
    Will you set your eyes on that which is not? Fo...
    Ecclesiastes 5:13
    There is a severe evil which I have seen under ...
    Luke 18:24
    And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowfu...
    1 Timothy 6:9
    But those who desire to be rich fall into tempt...
    1 Timothy 6:10
    For the love of money is a root of all kinds of...
    1 Timothy 6:17
    Command those who are rich in this present age ...
  8. Cross References
    John 15:2
    Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
    John 15:5
    I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
    Romans 7:4
    Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another - to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Next Book Next Book