10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? (Mark 4:10-13 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
BURKITT : | Mr 4:1-2 | Mr 4:3-9 | Mr 4:10-13 | Mr 4:14-20 | Mr 4:21-25 | Mr 4:26-29 | Mr 4:30-34 | Mr 4v35-41 | KJV Comm
Observe here, The disciples’ question, and our Saviour’s reply. Their question is about the sense and meaning of the parable. They own their ignorance and desire better information. It is no shame, for the best of ministers, yea, the best of men, to acknowledge their own ignorance in the mysteries of religion, and to attend upon the means of instruction, in order to their further information. In our Saviour’s answer, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, &c.
Observe, 1. That the doctrines of the gospel are great mysteries.
2. That it is a matchless and invaluable privilege practically to understand gospel mysteries.
3. That this privilege all are not sharers in, and partakers of, but only those to whom it is given.
4. That it is a righteous thing with God, to give such persons over to further blindness and ignorance in spiritual things, who willfully reject the truth, and shut their eyes against the light and evidence of it.
The Pharisees had all along shut their eyes, and said they would not see: and now Christ closes their eyes judicially, and says they shall not see. Seeing ye shall see, and not perceive; and hearing ye shall hear, and not understand.