Could you explain this passage from The Gospel of Mark?

Question

(Mark 4:11-12
And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables; so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand; lest they should turn again, and be forgiven.")

What I don't understand is the last part of the last sentence: "lest they should turn again, and be forgiven." Why doesn't Jesus want the outsiders to be forgiven? What exactly does he mean by "turn again"?

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

The doctrine is not well accepted but the Bible does clearly teach that God chooses people to be saved and those who are not chosen will be blinded to the truth and will not come to Christ for salvation. That is what it is talking about here.

Answer 2

I think a better translation would be something like "So they will not turn from their sins and be forgiven." Isa. 6:9-10.

Jesus DID want everyone to be forgiven. But in this instance, he was speaking of talking in parables because some people in the crowd were looking for evidence to use against Jesus. Others were looking to learn and grow. Jesus' words were for the honest seekers.

Some people do not understand God's truth because they are not ready for it. God reveals truth to people who will act on it and make it visible in their lives. When you talk with people about God, be aware that they will not understand if they are not yet ready. Be patient, and take every chance to tell tem more about God and praying that the Holy Spirit will open their minds and hearts to recieve the truth and act on it.

Answer 3

There was a time when we were all very happy. God had created all things perfectly and as it is written that we sang and shouted for joy. Then Satan rather then protecting the throne of God wanted to sit in the throne of God and be God. This caused a war in which the world that then was was destroyed and which brought about the world which now is in which we are born through the flesh. Most of these things are hidden to most others and only revealed to those who God choses. God knows who was able stand against Satan in the world that was and knows which ones that were deceived by Satan that He has reserved to be taught during the thousand year reign of Christ called the millennium. He wants to seal His servants with the Word of God so that His servants can teach the other children of God during the millennium while Satan is locked up and they have a chance to learn without Satan's influence. They are all so precious to Him that it isn't His will to lose one of them. If they had eyes to see then they would be able to be held liable, not being in ignorance, for what they do and could possibly even commit the unpardonable sin.

Answer 4

That doesn't mean that Jesus "doesn't want " people to turn and be forgiven. Of course He does. What He is saying is:
You who are believers understand these things, but the rest who hear these parables do not. If they did, they would turn to me and be forgiven.

Answer 5

This is a reference to Isaiah 6:9-10. Throughout history, it has been part of God's plan for some hearts to be hardened to His message, so that His redemptive work could be accomplished (think Judas Iscariot, rebellious Israel, etc.)

It's not that Christ doesn't WANT people to be forgiven; instead, the Lord's greater purpose must be carried out. "Lest they turn again and be forgiven" means that God's plan will be fulfilled, but only if it occurs this way.

Scripture does teach the doctrine of election: that the Lord, in His sovereignty, knows who will be saved. (see "election" in your Bible commentary for verses that point to this)

Answer 6

Jesus' enemies rejected His teachings, and the many people had become indifferent to spiritual truths. They were actively interested in His miracles but not in the spiritual applications. He now resorts to the use of parables to enlist their interest. The antagonistic attitude of His enemies, etc. necessitated a change to the parables so that those who hungered and thirsted after righteousness would be filled and those who wanted spiritual truths could have their eyes opened.

We can use every means to try to get people to understand spiritual truth, but they must want to understand them before these things can be made real to them.

Answer 7

I suggest you get a more up to date version of the Bible. Sounds Like King James, try NIV.

If I recall the passage, he is saying that even when he talks in parables there will some who will not want to understand, and will ignore his teaching.
For other the keys to Heaven are available.

Answer 8

Jesus knew that He could have spoken so powerfully that His words alone would have forced some to make a decision for Him based solely on His words, but against their heart. So He spoke in parables so as not to manipulate another's free will that leads them to making a false decision for Him. Only those who truly wanted to hear and truly wanted to see understood Jesus' parables.

Answer 9

The omniscient factor.God wants all to be saved.And God's Word is not esoteric in any way.Still,He knows those that will not turn[repent] and be forgiven[have salvation].God never forces anyone to worship Him.

Answer 10

Jesus spoke in parables so that satan and his minions wouldn't know for sure that Jesus was really the Messiah and the son of God, because if they knew that for sure, they would have never put Jesus to death, and we might all still be trapped in our sins.