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Mark 4:10

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 4:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables.
Mark 4:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7And other fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8And others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.
9And he said, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
10And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables.
11And he said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables:
12that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them.
13And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables?
← Mark 4:9Mark 4:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when he was alone, etc..] After the multitude was dismissed, and he either remained in the ship, or left it, and retired to some private place, it may be to Simon's house in Capernaum. The Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, “when they were alone”; meaning as follows, they that were about him with the twelve; that is, such disciples of his, who, besides the twelve, constantly attended him; perhaps those who now were, or hereafter were the seventy disciples. The Vulgate Latin reads, “the twelve that were with him”. In Beza's most ancient copy it is read, “his disciples”; and to this agrees the Persic version; and so the other evangelists, Matthew and Luke, relate, that his…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 13:10-17. On Mark 4:12, see the notes at John 12:39-40. When he was alone - That is, separate from the multitude. When he withdrew from the multitude a few followed him for the purpose of more instruction. Mark 4:13 Know ye not this parable? - This which is so plain and obvious. How then will ye know all parables? - Those which are more difficult and obscure. As they were themselves to be “teachers,” it was important that they should be acquainted with the whole system of religion - of much more importance for them at that time than for the mass of the people. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“When he was alone - That is, retired apart from the multitude. Mark 4:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:10 The scene changes from Jesus’ teaching a very large crowd from a boat to his being alone with the twelve disciples and . . . others. Their question concerns all the parables (4:33-34), not just this one.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mar 4:34, Mar 7:17; Pro 13:20; Mat 13:10-17, Mat 13:36; Luk 8:9-15 Mark 4:11”
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Related study paths

Read Mark 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification