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Mark 4:13 Then Jesus said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 4:13 Then Jesus said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/4-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/41_Mrk_04_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 4:13 - The Parable of the Sower Explained" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Jesus said to them, Do you not understand this parable? 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How then will you understand any parable?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/mark/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/mark/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/mark/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He says to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/mark/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/mark/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/mark/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? And how will you understand all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/mark/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/mark/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand <i>and</i> grasp the meaning of all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand all of the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/mark/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then He said to them: “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/mark/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus then told them: If you don't understand this story, you won't understand any others. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/mark/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/mark/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus asked them, "Don't you understand this story? How, then, will you understand any of the stories I use as illustrations?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/mark/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then Jesus asked them, "Don't you understand this parable? How, then, will you ever understand any parable? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/mark/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he told them, "You don't understand this parable, so how can you understand any of the parables? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/mark/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? Then how will you understand any parable?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? And how will you understand all of the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/mark/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he said to them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Do you all miss the meaning of this parable?" He added; "how then will you understand the rest of my parables?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He says to them, “Have you not known this allegory? And how will you know all the allegories?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He says to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he saith to them, 'Have ye not known this simile? and how shall ye know all the similes?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/mark/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he says to them, Know ye not this parable? and how will ye know all parables?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he saith to them: Are you ignorant of this parable? and how shall you know all parables? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/mark/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/mark/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said to them, Do you not know this parable? how then will you know all the parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />He said to them, “Do you not know this parable? How shall you know all the parables?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And he said to them: Do you not understand this parable? And how then will you understand all parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And He says to them, <FR>Do you not understand this parable? and how will you know all parables?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And he saith to them, Know ye not this parable? and how will ye know all parables?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but if, said he, you don't comprehend this easy parable, how can ye understand any of the rest?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Do you all miss the meaning of this parable?" He added; "how then will you understand the rest of my parables?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And He saith to them, <FR>"Know ye not this parable? And how will ye know all the parables?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Then saith He unto them, <FR>Do ye not understand this parable? how then will ye understand all <Fr><i>my other</i><FR> parables.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/mark/4-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=972" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/mark/4.htm">The Parable of the Sower Explained</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12</span>so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’ ” <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">Jesus said</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to them,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">“</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oidate (V-RIA-2P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">Do you not understand</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tautēn (DPro-AFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3850.htm" title="3850: parabolēn (N-AFS) -- From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.">parable?</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/4459.htm" title="4459: pōs (Adv) -- Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!">how</a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: gnōsesthe (V-FIM-2P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">will you understand</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pasas (Adj-AFP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">any of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3850.htm" title="3850: parabolas (N-AFP) -- From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.">parables? </a> </span> <span class="reftext">14</span>The farmer sows the word.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-18.htm">Matthew 13:18-23</a></span><br />Consider, then, the parable of the sower: / When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. / The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-11.htm">Luke 8:11-15</a></span><br />Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. / The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. / The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a></span><br />“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a></span><br />“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-2.htm">Psalm 78:2-4</a></span><br />I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning, / that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us. / We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Matthew 13:10-17</a></span><br />Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” / He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. / Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-9.htm">Luke 8:9-10</a></span><br />Then His disciples asked Him what this parable meant. / He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-37.htm">John 12:37-41</a></span><br />Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” / For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a></span><br />as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-14.htm">2 Corinthians 3:14-16</a></span><br />But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. / But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/5-11.htm">Hebrews 5:11-14</a></span><br />We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. / Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-25.htm">Acts 28:25-27</a></span><br />They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: / ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-4.htm">Deuteronomy 29:4</a></span><br />Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-5.htm">Proverbs 1:5-7</a></span><br />let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel / by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. / The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said to them, Know you not this parable? and how then will you know all parables?</p><p class="hdg">Know.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/7-17.htm">Mark 7:17,18</a></b></br> And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/13-51.htm">Matthew 13:51,52</a></b></br> Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15-17</a></b></br> Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Acquainted</a> <a href="/mark/4-9.htm">Added</a> <a href="/mark/4-12.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/mark/4-9.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/daniel/8-16.htm">Meaning</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-16.htm">Miss</a> <a href="/mark/4-11.htm">Others</a> <a href="/mark/4-10.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/mark/4-11.htm">Parables</a> <a href="/matthew/27-49.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/mark/4-10.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/mark/4-11.htm">Similes</a> <a href="/mark/3-23.htm">Story</a> <a href="/mark/4-12.htm">Understand</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Acquainted</a> <a href="/mark/4-24.htm">Added</a> <a href="/mark/4-30.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/mark/4-33.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/mark/14-60.htm">Meaning</a> <a href="/judges/20-16.htm">Miss</a> <a href="/mark/4-16.htm">Others</a> <a href="/mark/4-30.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/mark/4-33.htm">Parables</a> <a href="/mark/4-32.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/mark/4-30.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/mark/4-33.htm">Similes</a> <a href="/mark/4-30.htm">Story</a> <a href="/mark/4-33.htm">Understand</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-1.htm">The parable of the sower,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-14.htm">and the meaning thereof.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-21.htm">We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-26.htm">The parable of the seed growing secretly;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-30.htm">and of the mustard seed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-35.htm">Jesus stills the storm on the sea.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/mark/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Then Jesus said to them</b><br />This phrase marks a direct address from Jesus to His disciples, indicating a moment of teaching and revelation. The Greek word for "said" is "λέγει" (legei), which implies a continuous or habitual action. This suggests that Jesus is consistently in the role of teacher, guiding His disciples into deeper understanding. Historically, Jesus often used parables as a method to reveal truths to those who were spiritually receptive while concealing them from those who were not. This moment underscores His role as the divine teacher who imparts wisdom.<p><b>Do you not understand this parable?</b><br />The word "understand" in Greek is "οἴδατε" (oidate), which means to perceive or comprehend. Jesus is challenging His disciples to grasp the spiritual truths embedded in His teachings. The use of the word "this" emphasizes the importance of the specific parable He had just shared, which is the Parable of the Sower. In a historical context, parables were a common teaching tool in Jewish culture, used to convey moral or spiritual lessons. Jesus' question implies that understanding this parable is foundational to grasping His message.<p><b>Then how will you understand any of the parables?</b><br />Here, Jesus is emphasizing the necessity of spiritual insight. The phrase "how will you understand" uses the Greek "γνώσεσθε" (gnōsesthe), which is future tense, indicating a process of coming to know or understand. This suggests that understanding parables requires growth and maturity in faith. The word "any" highlights the breadth of Jesus' teachings and the importance of this foundational understanding. Historically, parables were meant to provoke thought and self-reflection, requiring listeners to seek deeper meaning beyond the surface. Jesus is urging His disciples to develop the discernment needed to unlock the mysteries of His kingdom teachings.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">How then will ye know all parables?</span>--The question is peculiar to St. Mark, and suggests the thought of our Lord as contemplating for His disciples an ever-growing insight, not only into His own spoken parables, but into those of nature and of life. But if they were such slow scholars in this early stage, how was that insight to be imparted? The question is followed up by the answer. The first lesson in interpreting is given in that which is a pattern and exemplar of the method of interpretation.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables?</span> that is, "How, then, can you expect to understand all parables, as they ought to do who are instructed unto the kingdom of heaven?" It is St. Mark alone who recalls and records these words. They are striking and vivid, as illustrating the condition of mind of the disciples at this time - slow of apprehension, and yet desirous to learn. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/4-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Then</span><br /><span class="grk">Καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Jesus] said</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγει</span> <span class="translit">(legei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to them,</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(autois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Do you not understand</span><br /><span class="grk">οἴδατε</span> <span class="translit">(oidate)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know, remember, appreciate. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="grk">ταύτην</span> <span class="translit">(tautēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">parable?</span><br /><span class="grk">παραβολὴν</span> <span class="translit">(parabolēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3850.htm">Strong's 3850: </a> </span><span class="str2">From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Then</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">how</span><br /><span class="grk">πῶς</span> <span class="translit">(pōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4459.htm">Strong's 4459: </a> </span><span class="str2">Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will you understand</span><br /><span class="grk">γνώσεσθε</span> <span class="translit">(gnōsesthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[any of]</span><br /><span class="grk">πάσας</span> <span class="translit">(pasas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὰς</span> <span class="translit">(tas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">parables?</span><br /><span class="grk">παραβολὰς</span> <span class="translit">(parabolas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3850.htm">Strong's 3850: </a> </span><span class="str2">From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/4-13.htm">Mark 4:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/4-13.htm">Mark 4:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/4-13.htm">Mark 4:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/4-13.htm">Mark 4:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/4-13.htm">Mark 4:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/4-13.htm">Mark 4:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/4-13.htm">Mark 4:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/4-13.htm">Mark 4:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/4-13.htm">Mark 4:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/4-13.htm">Mark 4:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/4-13.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 4:13 He said to them Don't you understand (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/4-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 4:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 4:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/4-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 4:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 4:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>