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MARK 4:34 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Mark 4:33Mark 4:35
“But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”
He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything — the summary of Jesus' parabolic teaching practice makes explicit what the discourse has implied throughout: parables for the crowd, explanation for the disciples. The public teaching in parables is not incomplete or misleading but appropriately calibrated to the public; the private explanation to the disciples is the deeper level available to those who pursue it. The disciples' privilege is not arbitrary favoritism but the consequence of their position: they are with Jesus, they ask questions, they receive the explanations. The insider explanation is available to anyone willing to be an insider.

Church Fathers on Mark 4:34

Most brief indeed is the word of faith; Believe in God, and thou shalt be saved. But the preaching of it has been spread far and wide over the earth, and increased so, that the birds of heaven, that is, contemplative men, sublime in understanding and knowledge, dwell under it. For how many wise men among the Gentiles, quitting their wisdom, have found rest in the preaching of the Gospel! Its preaching then is greater than all.

Theophylact · 11th century

Or else, that seed is very small in fear, but great when it has grown into charity, which is greater than all herbs: for 'God is love,' [1 John 4:16] whilst 'all flesh is grass.' [Isa 40:6] But the boughs which it puts forth are those of mercy and compassion, since under its shade the poor of Christ, who are meant by the living creatures of the heavens, delight to dwell.

Pseudo-Jerome · 5th century

Again, the man who sows is by many taken to mean the Saviour Himself, by others, man himself sowing in his own heart.

Bede · 8th century
Read all 6 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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