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Mark 4:33

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 4:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it;
Mark 4:33 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?
31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth,
32yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof.
33And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it;
34and without a parable spake he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things.
35And on that day, when even was come, he saith unto them, Let us go over unto the other side.
36And leaving the multitude, they take him with them, even as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him.
← Mark 4:32Mark 4:34 →
← Full Chapter 4 Mark Overview

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 with many such parables, etc..] As those of the tares, of the leaven in three measures of meal, of the treasure hid in the field, the pearl of great price, the net cast into the sea, and of the Scribe instructed unto the kingdom of God; which though not related at length here, are by the Evangelist Matthew, in (<401324>Matthew 13:24-30,33,44-50,52) together with others elsewhere: spake he the word unto them; preached the Gospel to the multitude, as they were able to hear it: meaning either that he condescended to their weakness, accommodated himself to their capacities, and made use of the plainest similes; and took his comparison from things in nature, the most known and obvious, that…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Spake he the word - The word of God. The doctrines of his gospel. As they were able to hear it - As they could comprehend it. They were like children; and he was obliged to lead them along cautiously and by degrees to a full understanding of the plan of salvation. 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
“He spake the word as they were able to hear it - Adapting it to the capacity of his hearers; and speaking as plain as he could without offending them. A rule never to be forgotten by those who instruct others. Mark 4:35”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:33-34 Mark’s summary of this section indicates that 4:3-32 is a collection of parables, not a chronological description of Jesus’ teaching on a specific day. • Jesus’ private explanation of the parables to the disciples shows that they were not outsiders, even though they sometimes lacked understanding (cp. 4:13).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“with: Mat 13:34, Mat 13:35 as: Joh 16:12; Co1 3:1, Co1 3:2; Heb 5:11-14 Mark 4:34”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification