Mark 4:13

KJV

And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto them {G846}, Know ye {G1492} not {G3756} this {G5026} parable {G3850}? and {G2532} how then {G4459} will ye know {G1097} all {G3956} parables {G3850}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Yeshua said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How will you be able to understand any parable?

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

American Standard Version

And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 4:13, Jesus challenges His disciples' spiritual comprehension following the Parable of the Sower. His question, "Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?", serves as both a gentle rebuke and a profound pedagogical principle, indicating that understanding this foundational parable is crucial for grasping all subsequent teachings about the Kingdom of God. It underscores the necessity of spiritual insight and a receptive heart for divine truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [Mark 4](/mark/4 "Mark 4 - Parables of the Kingdom") is a pivotal chapter dedicated to Jesus's parabolic teaching. It opens with Jesus teaching a large crowd by the sea, using the well-known Parable of the Sower ([Mark 4:1-9](/mark/4-1-9 "Mark 4:1-9 - The Parable of the Sower")). Following this public discourse, Jesus withdraws with His disciples, who then privately inquire about the meaning of the parables ([Mark 4:10](/mark/4-10 "Mark 4:10 - Disciples Ask About Parables")). [Mark 4:13](/mark/4-13 "Mark 4:13 - Jesus's Rebuke") immediately precedes Jesus's detailed explanation of the Parable of the Sower to His inner circle ([Mark 4:14-20](/mark/4-14-20 "Mark 4:14-20 - Explanation of the Parable of the Sower")), highlighting its foundational importance. This verse acts as a bridge, transitioning from the public telling of the parable to its private interpretation, emphasizing the disciples' privileged position yet also their initial lack of understanding.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Parables were a common and effective teaching method in the ancient Near East, particularly within Jewish rabbinic tradition. They allowed teachers to convey complex spiritual truths through relatable, everyday scenarios, making the message memorable and often challenging. Jesus's use of parables was both inclusive (accessible to all) and exclusive (requiring spiritual discernment for deeper understanding, as seen in [Mark 4:11-12](/mark/4-11-12 "Mark 4:11-12 - The Purpose of Parables")). The disciples, being immersed in this cultural context, would have been familiar with parabolic teaching, yet Jesus's question implies that their familiarity did not automatically translate into spiritual insight. The agricultural imagery of the sower, seed, and soil would have been immediately recognizable to an agrarian society.
* **Key Themes:** [Mark 4:13](/mark/4-13 "Mark 4:13 - Jesus's Rebuke") contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Spiritual Discernment and Understanding**. Jesus's question highlights that true understanding of His teachings requires more than mere intellectual assent; it demands a receptive heart and spiritual insight, a theme further explored in the varying responses to the Word in the Parable of the Sower itself. Secondly, it establishes the **Foundational Nature of the Word of God** and how it is received. The Parable of the Sower is presented as a master key, essential for unlocking the meaning of all other parables and, by extension, the mysteries of the Kingdom of God ([Mark 4:11](/mark/4-11 "Mark 4:11 - Secrets of the Kingdom")). Lastly, it speaks to the theme of **Discipleship and Growth**. Jesus expects His disciples, who have left everything to follow Him, to grow in their comprehension of spiritual truths. Their initial struggle with this foundational parable serves as a teaching moment, emphasizing the progressive nature of spiritual learning and the need for diligent engagement with His teachings, as seen in the call to "take heed what you hear" ([Mark 4:24](/mark/4-24 "Mark 4:24 - Hearing with Care")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Greek, _eídō'_):** This word (G1492) primarily means "to see" (literally or figuratively) and, by implication in the perfect tense, "to know." In this context, it suggests an initial perception or grasp of information. Jesus is asking if they have even a basic, intuitive understanding of this parable, implying that it should have been relatively clear to them, especially given their proximity to Him. It's a knowing that comes from observation and recognition.
* **Know (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This word (G1097) is a prolonged form of a primary verb meaning "to know" in a deeper, more experiential, and comprehensive sense. It implies a progressive, intimate, and often relational knowledge, moving beyond mere acquaintance to full comprehension and understanding. Jesus's shift from `eídō` to `ginṓskō` in the second part of the verse ("how then will ye know all parables?") is significant, indicating that a failure to grasp the foundational parable will hinder their ability to achieve a deeper, more profound understanding of subsequent, potentially more complex, parables.
* **Parable (Greek, _parabolḗ'_):: This term (G3850) refers to a similitude or comparison, a symbolic fictitious narrative (often from common life) conveying a moral or spiritual truth, an apothegm, or an adage. Jesus's question highlights that the Parable of the Sower is not just *a* parable, but *the* parable that serves as a key or interpretive framework for understanding the nature of the Kingdom of God and how its message is received and rejected in the world.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them,"**: This phrase introduces Jesus's direct address to His disciples, setting the stage for a private, instructive conversation. It highlights the shift from public teaching to intimate discipleship, where deeper truths are revealed to those committed to following Him.
* **"Know ye not this parable?"**: This is a rhetorical question expressing Jesus's mild astonishment or disappointment. The use of `eídō` (G1492) here implies that the Parable of the Sower should have been intuitively understood or at least its basic premise recognized by His closest followers. It suggests that this parable was not obscure but foundational, and their lack of immediate comprehension was a significant concern.
* **"and how then will ye know all parables?"**: This follow-up question, employing `ginṓskō` (G1097), underscores the critical importance of the Parable of the Sower. Jesus implies a logical progression: if they cannot grasp this relatively straightforward and foundational parable, which illustrates the very process of receiving and responding to the Word, how can they expect to understand the deeper, more complex truths of the Kingdom of God conveyed through other parables? It posits the Parable of the Sower as the interpretive key to all others.

#### Literary Devices
[Mark 4:13](/mark/4-13 "Mark 4:13 - Jesus's Rebuke") primarily employs **Rhetorical Question**. Jesus does not ask for information but uses the question to make a forceful point and to prompt self-reflection in His disciples. The questions "Know ye not this parable?" and "how then will ye know all parables?" are designed to highlight their current lack of understanding and to emphasize the critical, foundational nature of the Parable of the Sower. The second question also contains an element of **Hyperbole**, suggesting that without understanding this basic parable, the task of understanding *all* others would be virtually impossible, thus underscoring its paramount importance. This didactic use of questioning is a powerful teaching method, challenging the listeners to confront their own comprehension and readiness for deeper spiritual truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly connects to the theological principle that spiritual understanding is progressive and built upon foundational truths. Jesus's expectation of His disciples' comprehension of the Parable of the Sower reveals that certain truths are prerequisite for deeper revelation. The parable itself illustrates the varying states of the human heart and its receptivity to the Word of God, making it a crucial lens through which to understand the Kingdom's advance and the challenges it faces. The theological implication is that a genuine relationship with God involves not just hearing His Word, but actively engaging with it, allowing it to take root, and bearing fruit. Without this foundational understanding of how the Word operates in the heart, the "mysteries of the kingdom of God" ([Mark 4:11](/mark/4-11 "Mark 4:11 - The Purpose of Parables")) remain obscured.

* [Matthew 13:10-13](/matthew/13-10-13 "Matthew 13:10-13 - Why Jesus Spoke in Parables")
* [Luke 8:11](/luke/8-11 "Luke 8:11 - The Seed is the Word of God")
* [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual Discernment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Mark 4:13](/mark/4-13 "Mark 4:13 - Jesus's Rebuke") serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to assess the depth of our own spiritual comprehension. If Jesus expected His inner circle to grasp the foundational Parable of the Sower, how much more should we, who have the full canon of Scripture and the indwelling Holy Spirit, strive for a profound understanding of God's Word? This verse calls us beyond superficial engagement with biblical truth, urging us to cultivate hearts that are not merely hearers but doers of the Word, allowing it to take deep root and bear fruit. It reminds us that spiritual growth is not automatic but requires diligent study, thoughtful reflection, and a humble posture of receptivity. When we struggle with basic biblical principles, our ability to discern and apply more complex truths will inevitably be hindered. Therefore, we are encouraged to revisit foundational teachings, examine the "soil" of our hearts, and actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance for deeper insight into the mysteries of God's Kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "foundational parables" or biblical truths do I struggle to fully grasp or apply in my life?**
* **How does the condition of my "heart soil" (as described in the Parable of the Sower) impact my ability to understand and live out God's Word?**
* **Am I content with superficial knowledge of Scripture, or do I actively seek deeper, transformative understanding?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a more receptive and fertile heart for God's Word?**

### FAQ
**Why was the Parable of the Sower considered so foundational by Jesus?**

Answer: The Parable of the Sower ([Mark 4:3-9](/mark/4-3-9 "Mark 4:3-9 - The Parable of the Sower")) is foundational because it explains *how* the Word of God is received and the various outcomes based on the "soil" of the human heart. It illustrates the essential process of spiritual growth and the obstacles to it. Without understanding this basic mechanism—how the message of the Kingdom is sown and takes root (or fails to)—it would be impossible to grasp the implications and nuances of other parables, which often build upon the idea of the Kingdom's growth, challenges, and ultimate triumph. Jesus's explanation in [Mark 4:14-20](/mark/4-14-20 "Mark 4:14-20 - Explanation of the Parable of the Sower") reveals the spiritual realities behind the different types of soil, making it the interpretive key for understanding the reception of all divine truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Mark 4:13](/mark/4-13 "Mark 4:13 - Jesus's Rebuke") directly addresses the disciples' understanding of parables, its deepest fulfillment is found in Christ Himself. Jesus is not merely the teller of parables but the very embodiment of the truth they convey. He is the ultimate "seed" of the Kingdom, the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), who, when received into the heart, brings forth life and fruit. The "mystery of the kingdom of God" ([Mark 4:11](/mark/4-11 "Mark 4:11 - Secrets of the Kingdom")) is ultimately revealed in His person and work. To truly "know" (ginṓskō) all parables, and indeed all spiritual truth, is to know Christ, for in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). He is the one who opens the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds")), and through His Spirit, He grants spiritual discernment, transforming the "soil" of our hearts to receive and bear fruit for His glory ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit Teaches All Things")). Thus, understanding the parables, and all of God's revelation, is ultimately a Christ-centered endeavor, empowered by His Spirit.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Matthew 16:8

[Which] when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Matthew 16:9

Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Matthew 13:51

Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Matthew 13:52

Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe [which is] instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure [things] new and old.

Luke 24:25

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

Mark 7:17

And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.