Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version so that, “’they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” New Living Translation so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’” English Standard Version so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’” Berean Standard Bible so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’” Berean Literal Bible so that, 'Seeing, they might see and not perceive; and hearing, they might hear and not understand; lest ever they should turn, and they should be forgiven.'" King James Bible That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. New King James Version so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’ ” New American Standard Bible so that WHILE SEEING THEY MAY SEE, AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR, AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND IT WOULD BE FORGIVEN THEM.” NASB 1995 so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.” NASB 1977 in order that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE; AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND LEST THEY RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.” Legacy Standard Bible so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, LEST THEY RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.” Amplified Bible so that THEY WILL CONTINUALLY LOOK BUT NOT SEE, AND THEY WILL CONTINUALLY HEAR BUT NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT TURN [from their rejection of the truth] AND BE FORGIVEN.” Christian Standard Bible so that they may indeed look, and yet not perceive; they may indeed listen, and yet not understand; otherwise, they might turn back and be forgiven. ” Holman Christian Standard Bible so that they may look and look, yet not perceive; they may listen and listen, yet not understand; otherwise, they might turn back— and be forgiven.” American Standard Version that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them. Contemporary English Version The reason is, "These people will look and look, but never see. They will listen and listen, but never understand. If they did, they would turn to God and be forgiven." English Revised Version that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them. GOD'S WORD® Translation 'They see clearly but don't perceive. They hear clearly but don't understand. They never return to me and are never forgiven.'" Good News Translation so that, 'They may look and look, yet not see; they may listen and listen, yet not understand. For if they did, they would turn to God, and he would forgive them.'" International Standard Version so that 'they may see clearly but not perceive, and they may hear clearly but not understand, otherwise they might turn around and be forgiven.'" NET Bible so that although they look they may look but not see, and although they hear they may hear but not understand, so they may not repent and be forgiven." New Heart English Bible that 'seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn and be forgiven.'" Webster's Bible Translation That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Weymouth New Testament that "'They may look and look but not see, and listen and listen but not understand, lest perchance they should return and be pardoned.'" Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleso that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven their sins.’” World English Bible that ‘seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthat seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest they may turn, and the sins may be forgiven them.” Berean Literal Bible so that, 'Seeing, they might see and not perceive; and hearing, they might hear and not understand; lest ever they should turn, and they should be forgiven.'" Young's Literal Translation that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest they may turn, and the sins may be forgiven them.' Smith's Literal Translation That seeing they might see, and not know; and hearing they might hear, and not understand; lest they turn back, and their sins be remitted to them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThat seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Catholic Public Domain Version ‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ” New American Bible so that ‘they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.’ ” New Revised Standard Version in order that ‘they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor seeing they see, and yet do not perceive; and hearing they hear, and yet do not understand; if they return, their sins would be forgiven. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “So that seeing they shall see and not see, and hearing they shall hear and they shall not understand, unless perhaps they shall be converted and their sins shall be forgiven them.” NT Translations Anderson New Testamentthat they may surely see, and not perceive; and that they may surely hear, and not understand; lest they should turn to me, and their sins should be forgiven them. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament That seeing they may see, yet not perceive; and hearing may hear, yet not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins be forgiven them. Mace New Testament tho' they see, they will not perceive, and tho' they hear they will not understand: as if they were afraid of parting with their vices, in order to be pardoned. Weymouth New Testament that "'They may look and look but not see, and listen and listen but not understand, lest perchance they should return and be pardoned.'" Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Purpose of Jesus' Parables…11He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables, 12so that, ‘ they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’” 13Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?… Cross References Isaiah 6:9-10 And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Matthew 13:14-15 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ Luke 8:10 He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ John 12:39-40 For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: / “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.” Acts 28:26-27 ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ Romans 11:8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. Deuteronomy 29:4 Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear. Jeremiah 5:21 “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. Ezekiel 12:2 “Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house. Psalm 69:23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. Isaiah 29:10 For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers. Isaiah 44:18 They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. John 9:39-41 Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” Treasury of Scripture That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. That seeing. Deuteronomy 29:4 Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. Isaiah 6:9,10 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not… Isaiah 44:18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. be converted. Jeremiah 31:18-20 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God… Ezekiel 18:27-32 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive… Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Jump to Previous Beholding Clear Converted Fear Forgiven Forgiveness Haply Hear Hearing Indeed Otherwise Pardoned Perceive Perceiving Perchance Perhaps Sense Sins Time Turn Turned UnderstandJump to Next Beholding Clear Converted Fear Forgiven Forgiveness Haply Hear Hearing Indeed Otherwise Pardoned Perceive Perceiving Perchance Perhaps Sense Sins Time Turn Turned UnderstandMark 4 1. The parable of the sower,14. and the meaning thereof. 21. We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others. 26. The parable of the seed growing secretly; 30. and of the mustard seed. 35. Jesus stills the storm on the sea. so that This phrase introduces the purpose or result of Jesus' use of parables. In the context of Mark 4, Jesus explains that parables serve a dual function: revealing truths to those open to understanding and concealing them from those who are not. This aligns with the biblical theme of divine sovereignty in revealing or concealing truth (Matthew 11:25-26). ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is teaching in parables to the crowds and explaining the deeper meanings to His disciples. 2. The Disciples Followers of Jesus who are given the privilege of understanding the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, unlike the general crowds. 3. The Crowds The larger group of people who follow Jesus and hear His teachings but do not always understand the deeper spiritual truths. 4. Isaiah the Prophet The original source of the quote Jesus uses, found in Isaiah 6:9-10, which speaks to the spiritual blindness and deafness of the people. 5. The Kingdom of God The central theme of Jesus' teaching, often explained through parables to reveal truths to those who are spiritually receptive. Teaching Points Understanding Spiritual TruthsSpiritual perception is a gift from God. We must seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to truly understand and apply God's Word. The Purpose of Parables Parables reveal truths to those who are open and conceal them from those who are hardened. We should examine our hearts to ensure we are receptive to God's teachings. The Danger of Spiritual Blindness Persistent unbelief can lead to a hardened heart. We must remain vigilant and responsive to God's call to avoid spiritual dullness. Repentance and Forgiveness The ultimate goal of understanding is repentance and forgiveness. We should continually turn to God, seeking His mercy and grace. The Role of Prophecy Prophecies like Isaiah's serve as warnings and calls to repentance. We should heed these warnings and align our lives with God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Mark 4:12?2. How does Mark 4:12 illustrate the purpose of Jesus speaking in parables? 3. What role does spiritual blindness play in understanding Mark 4:12? 4. How does Isaiah 6:9-10 connect to the message in Mark 4:12? 5. How can we ensure our hearts are receptive to God's truth in Mark 4:12? 6. What steps can we take to avoid the hardening of hearts described here? 7. Why does Mark 4:12 suggest that understanding is intentionally withheld from some people? 8. How does Mark 4:12 align with the concept of free will? 9. What is the theological significance of Jesus speaking in parables in Mark 4:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 4? 11. What is the most serious sin? 12. How does God reveal Himself through contradictions in theology? 13. In Mark 4:10-12, why would Jesus deliberately use parables to prevent some from understanding instead of clearly teaching everyone? 14. 1 Corinthians 2:8: How do we reconcile Paul's claim that rulers didn't recognize the Lord of glory with historical accounts of Jesus' public ministry and claims? What Does Mark 4:12 Mean they may be ever seeing but never perceivingJesus has just told the Twelve, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those on the outside, everything is expressed in parables” (Mark 4:11). Quoting Isaiah 6:9–10, He explains why some watch His miracles yet miss their meaning. •Isaiah had faced a nation that “kept on looking, but did not understand” (Isaiah 6:9–10); Jesus meets the same resistance. •John records that even after “so many signs,” many still “did not believe in Him…so that the word of Isaiah…might be fulfilled” (John 12:37–40). •Jeremiah lamented people who “have eyes but see not” (Jeremiah 5:21). Taken literally, the verse underscores a real, judicial blindness: people can witness divine works yet refuse to perceive their saving significance. and ever hearing but never understanding The crowds hear every syllable of Jesus’ teaching, but their hearts stay closed. •Matthew’s parallel cites the same prophecy: “You will indeed hear but never understand” (Matthew 13:14–15). •Hebrews comments on believers who have become “dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11), showing that spiritual comprehension is a gift that can be resisted. •Romans says “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17), but hearing alone is not enough—receptive faith must accompany it. Parables filter listeners: the willing lean in, while the indifferent drift away. otherwise they might turn The purpose clause sounds startling. It does not imply God delights in keeping people out; rather, it highlights the consequence of persistent hardness. •Isaiah’s original audience had already rejected repeated calls to repent; the prophet was told his message would further expose that rebellion. •Acts urges, “Repent therefore, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19). Turning is always welcomed, but hearts must first soften. •Paul explains a similar hardening in Romans 11:8–11, showing that God’s plan can use human stubbornness while still inviting repentance. and be forgiven Forgiveness is ready, purchased, and offered—yet it is not forced. •Mark opens with Jesus proclaiming, “Repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). •Ephesians celebrates “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses” (Ephesians 1:7). •1 John promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). In Mark 4:12 the spotlight falls on the tragic irony: those who refuse to see and hear are shutting the door on the very forgiveness Christ longs to give. summary Mark 4:12 teaches that parables reveal truth to receptive hearts while confirming blindness in the hardened. Seeing without perceiving and hearing without understanding expose a willful resistance foretold in Isaiah. Yet the invitation remains: if they would only turn, they would be forgiven. The verse is both a warning against spiritual dullness and a reminder that forgiveness stands ready for all who respond in humble faith. (12) That seeing they may see. . . .--St. Mark characteristically gives the words of Isaiah 6:9, but not as a quotation, and perhaps in a less accurate form, and omits the addition in Matthew, "Blessed are your ears . . ." The form in this instance, at first sight, suggests the thought that our Lord's purpose was to produce the blindness and deafness of which He speaks. The real meaning of the words is, however, plain. This was to be the result of the wilful blindness of those who rejected Him; and the acceptance of a foreseen result was, in Hebrew forms of thought, expressed as the working out of an intention. (See Notes on Matthew 13:14-15.)Greek so that,ἵνα (hina) Conjunction Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. ‘they may be ever seeing βλέπωσιν (blepōsin) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. never μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. perceiving, ἴδωσιν (idōsin) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. and Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. ever hearing ἀκούωσιν (akouōsin) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. never μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. understanding; συνιῶσιν (syniōsin) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 4920: To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously. otherwise Μή‿ (Mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. they might turn ἐπιστρέψωσιν (epistrepsōsin) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1994: From epi and strepho; to revert. and Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. be forgiven.’” ἀφεθῇ (aphethē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications. Links Mark 4:12 NIVMark 4:12 NLT Mark 4:12 ESV Mark 4:12 NASB Mark 4:12 KJV Mark 4:12 BibleApps.com Mark 4:12 Biblia Paralela Mark 4:12 Chinese Bible Mark 4:12 French Bible Mark 4:12 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Mark 4:12 That 'seeing they may see and not (Mar Mk Mr) |
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