Mark 4:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Complete Jewish Bible:

He taught them many things in parables. In the course of his teaching, he said to them:

Berean Standard Bible:

And He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said,

American Standard Version:

And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his teaching,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} he taught^{G1321} them^{G846} many things^{G4183} by^{G1722} parables^{G3850}, and^{G2532} said^{G3004} unto them^{G846} in^{G1722} his^{G846} doctrine^{G1322},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Mark 4:2

Mark 4:2, "And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine," is a verse that captures a moment in the ministry of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Mark. This verse is set within the historical context of first-century Palestine, during a period of significant religious and political tension under Roman occupation. Jesus, as a Jewish rabbi, was part of a long tradition of oral teaching, and His use of parables was a common pedagogical method of the time, designed to convey spiritual truths through simple, relatable stories.

In this verse, the themes of teaching and doctrine are central. Jesus' choice to teach in parables reflects both His wisdom and His understanding of human nature. Parables are memorable and engaging, allowing complex theological concepts to be accessible to a diverse audience that included both the educated and the unschooled. They also served to fulfill prophecy (as referenced in Matthew 13:34-35) and to provoke thought, inviting listeners to seek deeper understanding.

The phrase "in his doctrine" suggests that Jesus' teachings were not merely isolated stories but were part of a coherent body of instruction that He was imparting to His followers. This doctrine would have included His teachings on the Kingdom of God, love, justice, mercy, and the nature of true righteousness—teachings that often challenged the prevailing religious norms of His day.

In summary, Mark 4:2 encapsulates Jesus' innovative approach to spiritual education through parables, emphasizing His role as a teacher who communicated profound truths in a way that was both culturally relevant and deeply transformative. This verse underscores the importance of Jesus' teachings as foundational to Christian doctrine and highlights the parabolic method as a key feature of His ministry.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1321
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διδάσκω
   Transliteration: didáskō
   Pronunciation: did-as'-ko
   Description: a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application):--teach.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G4183
   There are 331 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πολύς
   Transliteration: polýs
   Pronunciation: pol-oos'
   Description: including the forms from the alternate ; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare πλεῖστος, πλείων.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3850
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παραβολή
   Transliteration: parabolḗ
   Pronunciation: par-ab-ol-ay'
   Description: from παραβάλλω; a similitude ("parable"), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage:--comparison, figure, parable, proverb.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1322
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διδαχή
   Transliteration: didachḗ
   Pronunciation: did-akh-ay'
   Description: from διδάσκω; instruction (the act or the matter):--doctrine, hath been taught.