Jesus highlights a profound distinction: "those outside" are folks simply not part of his inner circle, distinct from the disciples. Parables aren't just stories; for the outsiders, they serve to obscure the deeper truths, leaving them hearing but not understanding.
And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished telling the parable of the sower to a large crowd, but then he withdraws with his disciples to privately explain its deeper meaning. He tells them that they are inside his circle, privileged to understand the secrets of God's kingdom, while those outside will only hear stories, not grasp the core message. This is why he speaks in parables: to reveal truth to those who are receptive, but to obscure it from those who are not.
Jesus speaks of a 'secret' or 'mystery' of the kingdom of God. What does it mean to be 'given' this knowledge, and who gets it?
Jesus explains that some people are given a special insight into the 'mystery of the kingdom of God.' This isn't about having more information; it's about a divine enablement to understand spiritual truths.
A Divine Gift
This understanding is presented as a gift from God ('unto you it is given'). It's not earned through intellect or background, but freely bestowed. This highlights God's sovereign choice in revealing Himself.
The Inner Circle
Jesus directly addresses 'them' – His disciples. These are the ones who have chosen to follow Him, to listen to His teachings, and to be present with Him. They are 'inside' the circle of His closest followers.
Why did Jesus speak in parables? And why were they ineffective for some people?
Jesus contrasts the disciples' understanding with the experience of 'those outside.' For them, His teaching, even when filled with vivid imagery, remained obscured.
A Deliberate Choice
The text suggests that 'everything is in parables' for those outside. This wasn't accidental. Parables served as a way to veil spiritual truths from those who were not genuinely seeking God, their hearts hardened or indifferent. It's a form of judgment, where those who refuse to see are left in their blindness.
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The 'Outside' Defined
'Those outside' refers to people who were not part of Jesus' inner circle of disciples. They might be curious onlookers or even opponents, but they lacked the receptive heart that would allow them to grasp the deeper spiritual meaning. They heard the stories but missed the substance.
Understand the original words
mystērion · Greek Noun
A truth or reality that was previously hidden but is now revealed by God to His people. In the New Testament, it often refers to the mystery of the gospel and the redemptive work of Christ.
basileia tou Theou · Greek Noun
The sovereign rule and reign of God over His creation, currently experienced in the hearts of believers and to be fully realized in the future age.
parabolē · Greek Noun
A short story or comparison used to illustrate a deeper spiritual truth, often designed to reveal truth to those with faith while concealing it from those with hardened hearts.
epistrephō · Greek Verb
A fundamental change of mind and direction; turning away from sin and turning toward God in faith.
aphiēmi · Greek Verb
The act of God in removing the guilt, penalty, and power of sin through the sacrifice of Christ, resulting in restored fellowship with Him.
This verse highlights Jesus' teaching strategy during a specific period of his ministry when he intentionally used parables to both reveal spiritual truths to his committed followers and obscure them from those who were resistant or merely curious.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. This period is marked by a growing crowd of followers and increasing opposition from religious leaders.
c. 28 AD
Sermon on the Mount
Jesus delivers foundational teachings on the nature of God's kingdom, including the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer. This teaching style often employed metaphors and relatable illustrations.
c. 28-30 AD
Jesus Teaches in Parables
Jesus increasingly uses parables, like the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:3-9), to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, a method that both revealed and concealed truth depending on the listener's heart.
c. 30 AD
Growing Crowds and Opposition
As Jesus' fame spreads, so does the scrutiny and hostility from Jewish authorities who perceive his teachings and actions as a threat to their established order.
This passage is the parallel account in Matthew, which directly precedes Mark's telling and explicitly states that to the disciples 'it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.'
Luke 8:10Luke's version also parallels this, explaining that Jesus granted 'to you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'
1 Corinthians 2:14This verse speaks about the 'natural person' not accepting the things of the Spirit of God, framing spiritual understanding as something that requires divine revelation, much like Jesus explains here that some are given to know the 'mystery of the kingdom.'
John 12:40This passage directly quotes Isaiah, stating God has 'blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them,' highlighting a divine allowance for some to remain in spiritual blindness when they resist revelation.
Romans 11:7-8Paul echoes this theme, explaining how Israel sought righteousness but did not obtain it, while those who 'stumbled at the rock of offense' were 'given a spirit of stupor,' illustrating a principle where persistent rejection leads to spiritual dullness.
vincentMark 4:11: "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:"
Unto them that are without (ἐκείνοις τοῖς ἔξω)The two latter words are peculiar to Mark. The phrase means those outside of our circle. Its sense is always determined by the contrast to it. Thus, 1 Corinthians 5:12, 1 Corinthians 5:13, it is non-Christians in contrast with me. Colossians 4:5, Christians contrasted with peo…
gillMark 4:11: "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:"
And he said unto them,.... His disciples; unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; or the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, the secrets of the Gospel dispensation, the mysterious doctrines of grace; See Gill on Matthew 13:11, but unto them that are without; "to strangers", as the Syriac and Arabic vers…
Jesus highlights a profound distinction: "those outside" are folks simply not part of his inner circle, distinct from the disciples. Parables aren't just stories; for the outsiders, they serve to obscure the deeper truths, leaving them hearing but not understanding.
Jesus has just finished telling the parable of the sower to a large crowd, but then he withdraws with his disciples to privately explain its deeper meaning. He tells them that they are inside his circle, privileged to understand the secrets of God's kingdom, while those outside will only hear stories, not grasp the core message. This is why he speaks in parables: to reveal truth to those who are receptive, but to obscure it from those who are not.
Jesus has just finished telling the parable of the sower to a large crowd, but then he withdraws with his disciples to privately explain its deeper meaning. He tells them that they are inside his circle, privileged to understand the secrets of God's kingdom, while those outside will only hear stories, not grasp the core message. This is why he speaks in parables: to reveal truth to those who are receptive, but to obscure it from those who are not.
"And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that
“‘they may indeed see but not perceive,
and may indeed hear but not understand,
lest th…" — Jesus highlights a profound distinction: "those outside" are folks simply not part of his inner circle, distinct from the disciples. Parables aren't just stories; for the outsiders, they serve to *ob…
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Last reviewed October 2026