The beginning of the explanation of the parable of the sower.
Mark 4:11 Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables:
Mark 4:11 To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,
To you, the mystical secrets of the realm of the Divine has been given. To those there, however, the ones outside, in comparisons this all takes place.
Jesus's comparisons must be decoded. So all the double meanings count double.
There is no verb "to know" in the Greek. It appears in the KJV source, but it was added to the NIV whose source does not have it. The Greek says simply that they are given the mysteries, which means something very different. They may are not "know" them.
The word translated as "mysteries" is an untranslated Greek word, adopted into English that means something like "mystical secrets" because they are secret but also related to the Divine. The only place in the Gospel that Jesus uses this particular word is in this parable, but a version of it appears in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 13:11, and Luke 8:10). Historically, the Greek word for mystery is attached to hidden religious rites and the implements of those rites. It is used more in the New Testament (twenty-seven times) than in any other ancient Greek work.
The word "parables" is another untranslated word that means "comparisons" or "allegories." Of course, now it means a "story told by Jesus," but it didn't means that to Jesus's literature.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "is" indicates the present tense, but the tense is the past perfect.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "to know" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "mysterings" means "mystical secrets." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "them" is not the common word usually translated as "them."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" is not the common word usually translated as "that."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "are" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "done" should be something more like "happen."
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "parables" means "comparisons." or "analogies" It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "to know" doesn't exist in the source.
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "mysterings" means "mystical secrets." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" is not the common word usually translated as "that."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "are" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "come" should be something more like "happen."
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "parables" means "comparisons." or "analogies" It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
Unto - This comes from the dative form of the following word. The form of this word requires the addition of a preposition in English to capture its meaning, a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, and an "in" for area of effect. Jesus could have meant "to," or "for" with this verb.
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- (WT) This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. The present is not the tense of the verb here.
given -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The form is the past perfect, passive so "has been given" is more correct.
to know -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "to know" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
mystery - (UW) "Mystery" is from a word that means "mystery," "secret doctrine," "secret rite," "mystical implements," "talisman," "magical item," and "secrets revealed by God." This Greek word was adopted into Latin and then into English from the Greek.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
kingdom - The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will. The "of" comes from its genitive form.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
God: The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods. The "of" comes from its genitive form.
but - The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
unto - This comes from the dative form of the following article. The form of this word requires the addition of a preposition in English to capture its meaning, a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, and an "in" for area of effect.
them - (CW) The word translated as "them" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
that -- (CW) The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." Jesus often uses it as a term of honor to refer to his father, the Spirit, prophets, and so on. This is not the common demonstrative pronoun.
are -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "are" in the Greek source.
without, - The word translated as "without" means "out of a place" and "outside." Here, it is preceded by an article, mistranslated as "them," so the sense is "the ones outside."
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. It is in the form of "these things."
these - The word translated as "these" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
things - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous article.
are -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
done - (WW) The word translated as "are done" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. It also means "to happen." Its meaning makes "all these things" the subject of the sentence, not the object. This is NOT the word usually translated as "do" or "done" in the NT.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
parables: -- (UW) "Parable" is Greek for "analogy," "comparison," and "illustration." It doesn't mean simply "educational story" as it has come to mean in English. The fact that Jesus speaks in analogies and illustrations is critical in understanding His words.
To - This comes from the dative form of the following word. The form of this word requires the addition of a preposition in English to capture its meaning, a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, and an "in" for area of effect. Jesus could have meant "to," or "for" with this verb.
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
has -- This helping verb "has" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
been -- This helping verb "been " indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. The present is not the tense of the verb here.
given -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The form is the past perfect, passive so "has been given" is more correct.
to know -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "to know" in the Greek source. This appeared in the KJV source, but not the one we use now.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
mystery - (UW) "Mystery" is from a word that means "mystery," "secret doctrine," "secret rite," "mystical implements," "talisman," "magical item," and "secrets revealed by God." This Greek word was adopted into Latin and then into English from the Greek.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
kingdom - The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will. The "of" comes from its genitive form.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
God: The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods. The "of" comes from its genitive form.
but - The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
to - This comes from the dative form of the following article. The form of this word requires the addition of a preposition in English to capture its meaning, a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, and an "in" for area of effect.
those - The word translated as "those " is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
who -- (CW) The word translated as "who" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." Jesus often uses it as a term of honor to refer to his father, the Spirit, prophets, and so on. This is not the common demonstrative pronoun.
are -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "are" in the Greek source.
outside, - The word translated as "outside" means "out of a place" and "outside." Here, it is preceded by an article, mistranslated as "them," so the sense is "the ones outside."
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. It is in the form of "these things."
missing "these" -- (MW) The untranslated word "these" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
things - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous article.
come - (WW) The word translated as "come" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. It also means "to happen." Its meaning makes "all these things" the subject of the sentence, not the object. This is NOT the word usually translated as "do" or "done" in the NT.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
parables: -- (UW) "Parable" is Greek for "analogy," "comparison," and "illustration." It doesn't mean simply "educational story" as it has come to mean in English. The fact that Jesus speaks in analogies and illustrations is critical in understanding His words.
Ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut acc ) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
μυστήριον [3 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Mystery" is mystêrion, which means "mystery," "secret doctrine," "secret rite," "mystic implements and ornaments," "secret revealed by God," "religious or mystical truth," and "superstition."
δέδοται [147 verses]( verb 3rd sg perf ind mp ) "Is given" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."
τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
βασιλείας (noun sg fem gen) "The kingdom" is basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign." --
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
θεοῦ: [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity." -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
ἐκείνοις [107 verses] ( adj pl masc dat ) "Unto them" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," and, in the form of an adverb, "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of indirect cause ("so"). In an "if" (εἰ ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand."
τοῖς [821 verses] ( article pl masc dat ) "That which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἔξω [21 verses](adv) "Out" is exo, which means "out of a place," "outside," "external things," and "beyond a time." -- The word translated as "out" means "out of a place" and "outside."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
παραβολαῖς [12 verses](noun sg fem dat) "Parable" is from parabole, which means "comparison," "illustration," and "analogy." It is most often translated in the NT as "parable" but occasionally as "comparison."
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut nom/acc) "These things" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πάντα [212 verses] ( adj pl neut nom/acc ) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."
γίνεται, [117 verses] ( verb 3rd sg pres ind mp ) "Are done" is ginomai, which means "to become," "to come into being," "to happen," of things "to be produced," of events "happen," "take place," "come to pass," "to be engaged in," math "to be multiplied into," "become one of," "turn into." It means changing into a new state of being. When the participle takes a predicate, the sense is "coming into" something. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi) which indicates existence in the same state.
The concept of "mysteries" means "mystical secrets, which fits with the notes in the previous verse Mark 4:9 He that hath ears to hear,... .referring to "ears to hear" meaning knowing a secret code.