Devine Scripture

Mark 4:24

What does Mark 4:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 4:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 4:24 means

Jesus cautioned His disciples to be prudent in *how* they hear His word, indicating that their attentiveness and obedience would determine their spiritual reception. He used an analogy concerning "measure": the degree to which they received and applied His teaching would be the degree to which they would receive further spiritual understanding and blessing from God. More would be given to those who faithfully responded.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you; and more shall be given unto you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you; and more shall be given unto you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Take care what you give ear to: in the same measure as you give you will get, and more will be given to you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said to them, `Take heed what ye hear; in what measure ye measure, it shall be measured to you; and to you who hear it shall be added;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to them: Take heed what you hear. In what measure you shall mete, it shall be measured to you again, and more shall be given to you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, Take heed what ye hear; with what measure ye mete, it shall be meted to you; and there shall be [more] added to you.

Context

This verse builds upon the previous call to hear, now focusing on the *quality* of hearing. It immediately follows the general exhortation to listen carefully and precedes the principle of spiritual increase or decrease based on responsiveness. This instruction emphasizes the active role of the disciple in receiving and applying the Word, which directly impacts their future spiritual endowment within the Kingdom.

v.23If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.

v.24This passage

v.25For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 2:2

    as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;

  • John 10:27

    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • Acts 17:11

    Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:6

    But thisI say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

  • Proverbs 19:27

    Cease, my son, to hear instruction Onlyto err from the words of knowledge.

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