Why did Jesus sometimes choose to explain the meaning of a parable only to his disciples when all the people could have benefited from the explanation?
Mark 4:10 - 12
NKJV - 10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11 And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables.
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Asked February 20 2020
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John Moyo
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
The main human impediment to achieving fellowship with God is pride. The Jewish religious authorities who opposed Jesus prided themselves on their knowledge of scripture and their obedience to the law's technical aspects and requirements, but (as God pointed out even in the time of the Old Testament in passages such as Hosea 6:6) they overlooked or ignored the most important commandments in the Law dealing with their own personal attitudes and behavior, such as the practice of love, mercy, and justice in dealing with others. They also believed themselves perfectly righteous, when, in fact, they were just as much in need of repentance and forgiveness as those whom they looked down on (as illustrated by Jesus in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican in Luke 18:9-14). By imparting spiritual truths in parables, Jesus intended to show them that they were not as discerning or as perfect as they thought they were. There were great spiritual principles that they could not discern, or of which they were still ignorant. And if they did not understand the parables, but truly had the humility that God wanted them to have in His presence, they could have asked Jesus about their meaning (as anyone could, and as the apostles did), but their pride prevented them from admitting that a man whom they regarded as just a carpenter from Nazareth had spiritual insight that they (despite all their religious learning) lacked.
James Kraft
Supporter
He came unto his own people, the nation of Israel, and His own people received Him not. Jesus spoke in parables so that only those who believed on Him could understand. Those who would not repent, and believe He was the savior of the world to all who would believe, would be saved. Repent means to change our mind and believe the gospel. First Corinthians 15:1-4. it means to trust Jesus alone by faith alone apart from any works. The thief on the cross is an example of a sinner who believed Jesus was the Son of God, the savior of the world by faith alone. Romans 4:5-8. John 6:47 John 3:16-18 Ephesians 2:8-9.
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