Mark 4:10 - When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

Generated Verse: Mark 4:10

What does "Mark 4:10" mean?


Mark 4:10 states, "When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables."

Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"When he was alone": This indicates a moment of privacy after Jesus had been teaching a larger crowd using parables. He had separated himself from the multitude.

"those who were around him with the twelve": This refers to a group of Jesus' followers, specifically the twelve apostles and other close disciples who were consistently with him. The phrase "with the twelve" suggests this group was slightly larger than just the twelve, but certainly included them.

"asked him about the parables": This reveals that this close group of followers had questions about the meaning and purpose of the parables Jesus had been using to teach the crowds. They wanted a deeper understanding.

In Essence:

The verse highlights a distinction between the general crowd and Jesus' inner circle. While the crowds heard the parables, they might not have grasped their full meaning. Jesus' close followers, wanting to understand more deeply, took the opportunity during a private moment to ask Jesus to explain the parables.

Significance:

Special Revelation: It suggests that Jesus gave a more detailed explanation or interpretation of the parables to his disciples than he did to the general public. This implies a special level of instruction for those committed to following him.
Desire for Understanding: It reveals the disciples' hunger for spiritual understanding and their willingness to seek clarification from Jesus.
Jesus as Teacher: It emphasizes Jesus' role as a teacher who not only presented information but also provided deeper insights to those who sought them. It shows He was accessible to his committed followers. The subsequent verses in Mark 4 contain Jesus' explanation of the purpose of parables and the specific meaning of the parable of the sower.