Mark 4:12

12 so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’ ^[a]”

Mark 4:12 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 4:12

That seeing they may see
Which the end and reason of his speaking to them in parables. The passage referred to is in ( Isaiah 6:9 Isaiah 6:10 ) . (See Gill on Matthew 13:14). (See Gill on Matthew 13:15).

Mark 4:12 In-Context

10 As soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve and those around Him, they asked Him about the parable.

11 He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables,

12 so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’ ”

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

14 The farmer sows the word.

Footnotes

• [a]. Isaiah 6:9–10 (see also LXX)