Mark 4:13
New International Version
Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?

New Living Translation
Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?

English Standard Version
And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

Berean Literal Bible
And He says to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?

King James Bible
And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

New King James Version
And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

New American Standard Bible
And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?

NASB 1995
And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?

NASB 1977
And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? And how will you understand all the parables?

Legacy Standard Bible
And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?

Amplified Bible
Then He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand and grasp the meaning of all the parables?

Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand all of the parables?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then He said to them: “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables?

American Standard Version
And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables?

Contemporary English Version
Jesus then told them: If you don't understand this story, you won't understand any others.

English Revised Version
And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus asked them, "Don't you understand this story? How, then, will you understand any of the stories I use as illustrations?

Good News Translation
Then Jesus asked them, "Don't you understand this parable? How, then, will you ever understand any parable?

International Standard Version
Then he told them, "You don't understand this parable, so how can you understand any of the parables?

Majority Standard Bible
Then Jesus said to them, ?Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

NET Bible
He said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? Then how will you understand any parable?

New Heart English Bible
And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? And how will you understand all of the parables?

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

Weymouth New Testament
"Do you all miss the meaning of this parable?" He added; "how then will you understand the rest of my parables?"

World English Bible
He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He says to them, “Have you not known this allegory? And how will you know all the allegories?

Berean Literal Bible
And He says to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith to them, 'Have ye not known this simile? and how shall ye know all the similes?

Smith's Literal Translation
And he says to them, Know ye not this parable? and how will ye know all parables?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he saith to them: Are you ignorant of this parable? and how shall you know all parables?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?

New American Bible
Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

New Revised Standard Version
And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to them, Do you not know this parable? how then will you know all the parables?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He said to them, “Do you not know this parable? How shall you know all the parables?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he said to them: Do you not understand this parable? And how then will you understand all parables?

Godbey New Testament
And He says to them, Do you not understand this parable? and how will you know all parables?

Haweis New Testament
And he saith to them, Know ye not this parable? and how will ye know all parables?

Mace New Testament
but if, said he, you don't comprehend this easy parable, how can ye understand any of the rest?

Weymouth New Testament
"Do you all miss the meaning of this parable?" He added; "how then will you understand the rest of my parables?"

Worrell New Testament
And He saith to them, "Know ye not this parable? And how will ye know all the parables?

Worsley New Testament
Then saith He unto them, Do ye not understand this parable? how then will ye understand all my other parables.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Sower Explained
12so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’ ” 13Then Jesus said to them, Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? 14The farmer sows the word.…

Cross References
Matthew 13:18-23
Consider, then, the parable of the sower: / When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. / The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ...

Luke 8:11-15
Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. / The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. / The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away. ...

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Jeremiah 5:21
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.

Ezekiel 12:2
“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Psalm 78:2-4
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning, / that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us. / We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed.

Matthew 13:10-17
Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” / He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. / Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ...

Luke 8:9-10
Then His disciples asked Him what this parable meant. / He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

John 12:37-41
Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” / For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: ...

Romans 11:8
as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”

2 Corinthians 3:14-16
But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. / But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Hebrews 5:11-14
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. / Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. ...

Acts 28:25-27
They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: / ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.

Proverbs 1:5-7
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel / by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. / The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to them, Know you not this parable? and how then will you know all parables?

Know.

Mark 7:17,18
And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable…

Matthew 13:51,52
Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord…

Matthew 15:15-17
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable…

Jump to Previous
Acquainted Added Clear Jesus Meaning Miss Others Parable Parables Rest Simile Similes Story Understand
Jump to Next
Acquainted Added Clear Jesus Meaning Miss Others Parable Parables Rest Simile Similes Story Understand
Mark 4
1. The parable of the sower,
14. and the meaning thereof.
21. We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others.
26. The parable of the seed growing secretly;
30. and of the mustard seed.
35. Jesus stills the storm on the sea.














Then Jesus said to them,
This phrase indicates a direct address from Jesus to His disciples. It highlights the intimate teaching relationship between Jesus and His followers. In the context of Mark 4, Jesus is explaining the Parable of the Sower, which He had just shared with a larger crowd. This setting underscores the importance of private instruction and the deeper insights given to those who are close to Jesus. It reflects the pattern of Jesus often explaining parables to His disciples in private, as seen in other instances like Matthew 13:36.

“Do you not understand this parable?
Here, Jesus questions the disciples' understanding, emphasizing the importance of grasping the meaning of His teachings. The parable in question is foundational, as it deals with the reception of God's word. The question implies that understanding parables requires spiritual insight, which is a recurring theme in Jesus' ministry. This moment also reflects the disciples' ongoing journey of learning and growth, as they often struggled to comprehend Jesus' teachings fully, as seen in Mark 8:17-21.

Then how will you understand any of the parables?
This rhetorical question underscores the significance of the Parable of the Sower as a key to understanding other parables. It suggests that this parable contains fundamental principles about the Kingdom of God and the nature of spiritual receptivity. The statement implies that parables are interconnected and that understanding one can lead to insights into others. This teaching method aligns with the prophetic tradition of using parables to convey deeper truths, as seen in the Old Testament, such as in the parables of Nathan to David (2 Samuel 12:1-7). Jesus' use of parables fulfills the prophecy of speaking in parables to reveal mysteries, as mentioned in Psalm 78:2.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the importance of understanding His parables. He is the divine teacher and the Son of God, imparting wisdom and truth.

2. Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' question. They are learners and followers of Jesus, representing all believers who seek to understand His teachings.

3. Parables
A method of teaching used by Jesus, involving simple accounts with deep spiritual meanings. The specific parable in context is the Parable of the Sower, which Jesus uses to illustrate how different people receive the word of God.
Teaching Points
Understanding is Key
Jesus emphasizes the importance of understanding His teachings. Without comprehension, the deeper truths of His message remain hidden.

Spiritual Discernment
The ability to understand parables requires spiritual insight, which is granted by the Holy Spirit. Believers should pray for discernment and wisdom.

Foundation for Further Learning
Understanding the Parable of the Sower is foundational for grasping other parables. It sets the stage for deeper spiritual growth and learning.

Active Engagement
Believers are encouraged to actively engage with Scripture, seeking to understand and apply its truths in their lives.

Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in illuminating the Scriptures and helping believers understand and apply them.(13) How then will ye know all parables?--The question is peculiar to St. Mark, and suggests the thought of our Lord as contemplating for His disciples an ever-growing insight, not only into His own spoken parables, but into those of nature and of life. But if they were such slow scholars in this early stage, how was that insight to be imparted? The question is followed up by the answer. The first lesson in interpreting is given in that which is a pattern and exemplar of the method of interpretation.

Verse 13. - Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables? that is, "How, then, can you expect to understand all parables, as they ought to do who are instructed unto the kingdom of heaven?" It is St. Mark alone who recalls and records these words. They are striking and vivid, as illustrating the condition of mind of the disciples at this time - slow of apprehension, and yet desirous to learn.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[Jesus] said
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to them,
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Do you not understand
οἴδατε (oidate)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

this
ταύτην (tautēn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

parable?
παραβολὴν (parabolēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3850: From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.

Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

how
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

will you understand
γνώσεσθε (gnōsesthe)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

[any of]
πάσας (pasas)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

parables?
παραβολὰς (parabolas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3850: From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.


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NT Gospels: Mark 4:13 He said to them Don't you understand (Mar Mk Mr)
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