Mark 4:10

10 Later Jesus was alone. The Twelve asked him about the stories. So did the others around him.

Mark 4:10 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 4:10

And when he was alone
After the multitude was dismissed, and he either remained in the ship, or left it, and retired to some private place, it may be to Simon's house in Capernaum. The Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, "when they were alone"; meaning as follows,

they that were about him with the twelve;
that is, such disciples of his, who, besides the twelve, constantly attended him; perhaps those who now were, or hereafter were the seventy disciples. The Vulgate Latin reads, "the twelve that were with him". In Beza's most ancient copy it is read, "his disciples"; and to this agrees the Persic version; and so the other evangelists, Matthew and Luke, relate, that his disciples came and

asked of him the parable;
the meaning of it, and why he chose this way of speaking to the people, ( Matthew 13:10 ) ( Luke 8:9 ) , though that word may include others besides the twelve.

Mark 4:10 In-Context

8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It grew up and produced a crop 30, 60, or even 100 times more than the farmer planted."

9 Then Jesus said, "Those who have ears should listen."

10 Later Jesus was alone. The Twelve asked him about the stories. So did the others around him.

11 He told them, "The secret of God's kingdom has been given to you. But to outsiders everything is told by using stories.

12 In that way, " 'They will see but never know what they are seeing. They will hear but never understand. Otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!' " (Isaiah 6:9,10)