In Mark 4:10-11, we find Jesus in a moment of teaching, surrounded by a curious crowd, yet He chooses to speak in parables. The verses state, “When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 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.’”

This passage reveals a profound aspect of Jesus’ ministry and His method of teaching. Parables were a common form of teaching in Jesus’ time, used to convey spiritual truths through simple, relatable stories. However, these stories were not always immediately understood by everyone. In this moment, Jesus explains to His closest followers, the disciples, that they are being given insight into the “secret of the kingdom of God” — a privilege not extended to everyone.

The distinction Jesus makes between the “inside” group, who has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, and those “on the outside,” for whom everything is said in parables, underscores the intimacy and deeper understanding available to those who truly seek Him and are committed to following Him. This is not to say that Jesus intended to withhold the truth from anyone; rather, He knew that not everyone was ready or willing to hear and accept it. The use of parables was a way to invite listeners into deeper reflection and engagement with the truths He was revealing about God’s kingdom.

This teaching moment also invites us, as readers today, to consider our own position in relation to Jesus’ words. Are we seeking Him with open hearts, eager to understand and embrace the truths of God’s kingdom? Or do we remain on the “outside,” content with a surface-level engagement with His teachings? Jesus’ invitation to understand the secrets of the kingdom is extended to all who come to Him with a willing and humble heart.