Does Mark 4:10-12 explain why some do not grasp the meaning of God's kingdom and why they should really try?

Question

Mark 4:
10 When he (Jesus) was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.
11 He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
12 so that,
" 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!' "

- Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. - (Matt 6:10)

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God's kingdom has a far reaching meaning for the future of us all. Jesus constantly spoke of God's kingdom to his followers. If someone doesn't understand, they are encouraged to seek and they will find.
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Answer 1

Yes, but the reason that they don't grasp the meaning is because they didn't try. People are lazy by nature. It's part of the sin nature to be lazy. People don't want to deal with what doesn't come easy, and the kingdom doesn't come easy.


Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Answer 2

Jesus was quoting the prophet Isaiah 6:9....

vs 9....(God is talking to Isaiah)....He said, "Go and tell this people: " 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.

My study bible gives this explanation....

GO TELL THIS PEOPLE... God told Isaiah that the people would reject his message and remain indifferent to the prophetic call for repentance; his preaching would in fact turn hearts even more against the Lord. Nevertheless, Isaiah had to preach faithfully the unpopular message of judgment. There would be a limit, however, to his heartrending ministry. The judgments brought through Sennacherib in 701bc would bring Jerusalem to faith and obedience as a result Isaiah would be able to have a new ministry during the addtional 15 years granted to Hezehiah.

Answer 3

Yes

In Jesus’ day multitudes listened to him. They marveled at his sayings and enjoyed hearing his speaking. Yet Jesus showed that many were poor listeners when he said: “Though hearing, they may hear and yet not get the sense of it.”
A good listener has a good motive for listening. His purpose is to acquire knowledge that he can use in the future, both to benefit himself and those with whom he comes in contact.

The majority that heard Jesus did not have this proper motive characteristic of all good listeners. Instead they were like those of Ezekiel’s day, and Jesus was to them “like one with a beautiful voice and playing a stringed instrument well.” They heard his words, but did not do them.

Answer 4

Jesus preached in parables so that the average person could understand it. He said if he told us what God said we would not understand. God is so above us intellectually.

I Will study this more.Good Question deserving of a Good Answer.

Answer 5

BINGO! That is part of it. Ears that can not hear. Eyes that can not see, have been blinded.

If one steps out in faith to follow Christ and become saved, then they will hear, they will see, they will perceive and interpret, they will be forgiven.

Answer 6

Here's a book from a particular religion that says that that particular religion is true and that everyone should believe in that particular religion.

Naturally, we should rely upon that book for objectivity.

Answer 7

good posting

Mel, dmd, caveman and bandaidgirl all good answers

Answer 8

No, it sounds like rationalizations from a closed fisted "teacher".

Answer 9

my friend your question are liking me...