As soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve and those around Him, they asked Him about the parable.
The foregoing chapter began with Christ's entering into the synagogue (Mar 4:1); this chapter begins with Christ's teaching again by the sea side. Thus he changed his method, that if possible all might be reached and wrought upon. To gratify the nice and more genteel sort of people that had seats, chief seats, in the synagogue, and did not care for hearing a sermon any...
Commenting on Mark 4:1-20
And he said unto them,.... His disciples; unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; or the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, the secrets of the Gospel dispensation, the mysterious doctrines of grace; See Gill on Mat 13:11, but unto them that are without; "to strangers", as the Syriac and Arabic versions render it, who were not the...
Verses 10-12. , and , particularly ; . When he was alone. That is, separate from the multitude, When he withdrew from the multitude, a few followed him for the purpose of farther instruction. (f) "And when"