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Mark 4:12

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 4:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that 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.
Mark 4:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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?
14The sower soweth the word.
15And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them.
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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
“That seeing they may see, etc..] Which the end and reason of his speaking to them in parables. The passage referred to is in (<230609>Isaiah 6:9,10). (See Gill on “<401314>Matthew 13:14-15”).”
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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
“So that seeing they see and do not perceive - They would not see before now they could not, God having given them up to the blindness which they had chosen. Mark 4:13”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“That seeing: Rather, as ινα \[Strong's G2443\] frequently denotes, "So that seeing they see, and do not perceive, and hearing they hear, and do not understand," etc. The expression appears to be proverbial; and relates to those who might see what they now overlook through inattention and folly. See the parallel texts. Deu 29:4; Isa 6:9, Isa 6:10, Isa 44:18; Jer 5:21; Mat 13:14, Mat 13:15; Luk 8:10; Joh 12:37-41; Act 28:25-27; Rom 11:8-10 be converted: Jer 31:18-20; Eze 18:27-32; Act 3:19; Ti2 2:25; Heb 6:6 Mark 4:13”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification