Mark 4:24

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto them {G846}, Take heed {G991} what {G5101} ye hear {G191}: with {G1722} what {G3739} measure {G3358} ye mete {G3354}, it shall be measured {G3354} to you {G5213}: and {G2532} unto you {G5213} that hear {G191} shall more be given {G4369}.

He also said to them, "Pay attention to what you are hearing! The measure with which you measure out will be used to measure to you -- and more besides!

He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you; and more shall be given unto you.

Mark 4:24 presents a profound principle from Jesus about the nature of receiving spiritual truth and the consequences of one's engagement with it. It serves as a warning and a promise, urging listeners to be discerning and active in their reception of His teachings.

Context

This verse is part of a series of teachings in Mark chapter 4 where Jesus uses parables to illustrate truths about the Kingdom of God. Following the parable of the sower and the explanation that a lamp is not brought to be put under a bushel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of how one listens. The preceding verses (Mark 4:21-23) speak of hidden things being revealed, setting the stage for the idea that those who truly hear and understand will be given more insight.

Key Themes

  • Discerning Hearing: The initial command, "Take heed what ye hear," stresses the critical importance of careful, intentional, and discerning listening to spiritual instruction. It's not just about hearing words, but about processing and applying them.
  • Spiritual Reciprocity: The phrase "with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you" conveys a principle of divine reciprocity. The way one extends oneself—in judgment, attention, or generosity—will be the standard by which they, in turn, receive. This applies particularly to how one embraces and utilizes spiritual truth. This echoes similar teachings found in Matthew 7:2 and Luke 6:38.
  • Abundance for the Receptive: The promise "and unto you that hear shall more be given" indicates that those who genuinely listen, understand, and apply Christ's teachings will experience an increase in spiritual knowledge, insight, and blessings. This idea is further reinforced in the very next verse, Mark 4:25, which speaks of those who have receiving more.

Linguistic Insights

The word "mete" comes from the Greek verb metreo (μετρέω), meaning "to measure out" or "to apportion." It implies a standard or a quantity by which something is assessed or dispensed. In this context, it suggests that the spiritual 'measure' we apply—whether in our openness to truth, our judgment of others, or our generosity—sets the standard for what we will receive from God.

Practical Application

Mark 4:24 challenges believers to be active and thoughtful consumers of spiritual truth. It encourages us to:

  • Listen Intently: Approach God's Word and spiritual teaching with careful attention and a desire to understand and obey.
  • Be Generous in Spirit: Extend grace, understanding, and forgiveness to others, knowing that this same measure will be applied to us.
  • Seek Deeper Understanding: Recognize that spiritual growth is progressive. The more we engage with and apply what we hear, the more God reveals to us, leading to greater wisdom and blessing in our lives. This verse underscores the importance of a diligent pursuit of God's wisdom and truth.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hebrews 2:1

    ¶ Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip.

  • Luke 8:18

    Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

  • Matthew 7:2

    For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

  • Acts 17:11

    These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:6

    ¶ But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

  • John 10:27

    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

  • Proverbs 19:27

    ¶ Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.

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