Devine Scripture

Mark 4:12

What does Mark 4:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 4:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 4:12 means

Jesus quoted from Isaiah 6:9-10 to explain *why* He taught in parables to outsiders. The purpose was not to prevent repentance, but rather to highlight the spiritual blindness and deafness of those who deliberately refused to perceive and understand God's truth. Their hardened hearts meant that even witnessing miraculous signs and hearing profound teachings would not lead them to turn for forgiveness, fulfilling prophecy about their spiritual insensitivity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that seeing they may see, and it will not be clear to them; and hearing it, they will not get the sense; for fear that they may be turned again to me and have forgiveness.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest they may turn, and the sins may be forgiven them.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that beholding they may behold and not see, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest it may be, they should be converted and they should be forgiven.

Context

This verse continues Jesus' explanation to His disciples about the purpose of parables for those "without." It directly expands on the previous verse, detailing the effect of parables on those who are spiritually unresponsive. This Old Testament quotation provides a theological justification for His teaching method, showing that the unresponsiveness of some to God's Word was neither unforeseen nor without divine purpose, even as it reflects human resistance.

v.11And he said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables:

v.12This passage

v.13And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 8:10

    And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

  • Hebrews 6:6

    and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

  • 2 Timothy 2:25

    in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,

  • Matthew 13:14

    And unto them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:

  • Deuteronomy 29:4

    but Jehovah hath not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

  • Acts 28:25

    And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers,

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