Teachings of Jesus?

Question

Why Jesus told to the high priest in John 15:18-20, that “I spoke OPENLY to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet] and IN SECRET I HAVE SAID NOTHING.”

And he said in Mark 4:34: “But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.”

Why did the disciples have this priviledges when we know that the will of God is that everybody gets the knowledge to be saved?

Answer 1

Obviously you are taking things out of context --and even from two separate Gospels at that-- just to propose your question, or to confuse the uninitiated who has not read the Bible yet. And I'm sure you also know the texts before and after the captioned ones you've selected.

We know that Jesus was a Teacher and Great Communicator who could parlay the message of His lessons within the parables that He gave to the commonfolk and non-Jewish publicans, one whose lifestyle was predominantly agrarian.

I presume that some of the Apostles were --as most first time readers would be-- perplexed by the morals of the parables and they needed to understand them better since they were all tasked to preach the Word to the rest of the people later...

Peace be with you!

Answer 2

John 15:18-20 does not say what you wrote.

Mark 4:34 is at the end of a long monologue of Christ's. If you go back and read what Christ was saying, He actually does explain the parables to the people He is talking to. Read Mark 4:13-20 for Christ's own detailed analysis of His own parable that He reveals to everyone. He spends 7 verses just explaining that one parable!

Parables are not meant to be mysteries, they are only stories to illustrate a point.

Answer 3

When Jesus spoke in parables a lot of folks didn't understand what he was saying. Not even his disciples. His disciples were his students who were going to teach the world what Jesus taught them. So, he had to explain the things that they didn't understand.
Millions of people hear the steps to salvation but until the Holy Spirit explains it to them they don't understand. The same goes for the teachings of the Bible. You can read a passage dozens of times but until the right time comes it may mean nothing to you until the Holy Spirit reveals the meaning to you. Thus, it is a mystery to you until you understand it.

Hope this helps mate,

Answer 4

Remember that not all the Jews were converted to Jesus' teachings (obviously that is why Judaism still exists today). Jesus Christ taught in parables so that those who were ready to graduate up to a higher law would want to keep studying and learning His Gospel. But some things related to deeper truths and administration of His authority were reserved for His disciples, or Apostles, because they were the ones who were being prepared to lead the Church in the near future. Even today, I believe that the Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have some unique insights into spiritual truths which most Christians take longer to learn. It's not because anyone is better than anyone else, but people get prepared for leadership by learning more truth. One of my favorite Apostles was Elder Neal A. Maxwell, most of whose books were so deep that you almost had to read every sentence three or four times to start to digest it. For traditional Christians, most might say the same about Paul in the early Church of Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

Because Jesus was a gnostic and he taught "those on the outside" one thing and his inner disciples (those on the inside) another. And the writer who gave the explanation of the parable was himself "on the outside" and just look at his explanation about ("the secrets of the kingdom of heaven")... that the devil snatches the word of god from some! Oh what great mystery! the world waited thousands of years for this mind-boggling "secret" to be revealed! The NT writer was "on the outside" and just pretending to be inside. His real disciples were the Magdalene, Judas, and Thomas.

Answer 6

Ps remember this: when interpreting the Bible, or any document for that matter, first do not look for contradictions. Look for harmony. Writers--unless they are comedians or crazy--will not intend their words to be contradictory. (Read and understand Acts 17:3; or Matthew 12:1-8)

This is the reasonable explanation of the texts you cited. (1) True, Jesus spoke openly, (2) When speaking to the public he would do it in parables--not to confuse them--but to arose their interest. He was trying to reach their hearts, but (3) many of his audience were closed minded/ hard of heart so they would not accept Jesus' teachings. To his disciples who seek more, he explained further.

Answer 7

It is false to believe that God wants everyone to be saved. That notion is based on the misquoting of a scripture verse. Jesus actually tells us that He purposely hid the truth from them so that they would not believe and be saved.


The verse 2 Peter 3: 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. This verse is clear that it is talking about "you" (Christians) The reason Christ has not come back is because He is patient towards His elect, not willing that any of them should perish. When the last on of the elect is saved Christ will come back.

Answer 8

It is the same as having your grandfathers ear.
He may be the wisest man in the county, but not everybody gets to sit with him.
The apostles were part of the "inner circle" and as such, were always able to get a straight answer.

Answer 9

Did Jesus give up Saturday for us?
Jesus? Christianity? .

Your opinions only, no parroting or C&P from a Bible.


If Jesus died, he could NOT have been God.
Gods do not die? Do they?

If Jesus 'died' on Friday and 'undied' on Sunday, what else besides Saturday was sacrificed?

Answer 10

how did the knowledge get suppressed??you just typed it..they were with him in person and got the first hand word..OBVIOUSLY that word spread..this question does not make sense.. the knowledge to be saved is in the very bible you quote..think your questions through before you try to ask a complicated question designed to discredit the word..