Mark 4:33

33 With many such parables He used to speak the Message to them according to their capacity for receiving it.

Mark 4:33 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 4:33

And with many such parables
As those of the tares, of the leaven in three measures of meal, of the treasure hid in the field, the pearl of great price, the net cast into the sea, and of the Scribe instructed unto the kingdom of God; which though not related at length here, are by the Evangelist Matthew, in ( Matthew 13:24-30 Matthew 13:33 Matthew 13:44-50 Matthew 13:52 ) together with others elsewhere:

spake he the word unto them;
preached the Gospel to the multitude,

as they were able to hear it:
meaning either that he condescended to their weakness, accommodated himself to their capacities, and made use of the plainest similes; and took his comparison from things in nature, the most known and obvious, that what he intended might more easily be understood; or rather, he spoke the word to them in parables, as they were able to hear, without understanding them; and in such a manner, on purpose that they might not understand; for had he more clearly expressed the things relating to himself, as the Messiah, and to the Gospel dispensation, so as that they could have took in his meaning, such were their pride, their wickedness, and the rancour of their minds, that they would have at once rose up, and attempted to have destroyed him.

Mark 4:33 In-Context

31 It is like a mustard-seed, which, when sown in the earth, is the smallest of all the seeds in the world;

32 yet when sown it springs up and becomes larger than all the herbs, and throws out great branches, so that the birds build under its shadow."

33 With many such parables He used to speak the Message to them according to their capacity for receiving it.

34 But except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them; while to His own disciples He expounded everything, in private.

35 The same day, in the evening, He said to them, "Let us cross to the other side."