I am finding as a I do this study that I am not a big fan of the NIV translation of the Bible. I know that it is the most popular translation, and there is not anything there that makes me think it is not a viable translation of the Bible, but as I delve deeper into the language meanings of things in the text other translations seem to both be more technically accurate and have a better feel for the authors original intent. The purpose of the NIV is to be easily accessible to the modern English reader, but it feels like in the attempt to do that they have lost some of the nuances in their translation. My personal favorite translation, and the one that I use when I preach and teach is the NKJV (New King James Version). I really like this translation because it keeps a lot of the feel of authority that the King James Version has while updating the language and technical scholarly aspects of translation to modern standards. However, I'm not doing this Bible study by myself. My wife does not like to do personal bible study in the KJV or NKJV because the language structure and word usage can sometime be difficult to understand. The KJV is four hundred years old, after all, and sometimes it reads like Shakespeare. The NKJV has more modern word usage, but in some places it keeps the same archaic language structure that the KJV has. We have compromised and have started using the HCSB (Holman Christain Standard Bible) Which is a fairly new translation from Broadman & Holman Publishing, Which is a part of LifeWay, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. I am a Southern Baptist pastor and I actually knew and studied under some of the translators when I was in School, so I have a high view of the scholarship involved. The initial creator of the translation project, Aurthur Farstad ,was also the general editor on the NKJV, though he passed away before the HCSB was finished. Anyway, back to the bible study.
Mark 4: 10-12 HCSB
10 When He was alone with the Twelve, those who were around Him asked Him about the parables. 11 He answered them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been granted to you, but to those outside, everything comes in parables 12 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.
This is a very difficult passage to handle on the surface. Jesus is actually paraphrasing Isaiah 6: 9-10, where God calls Isaiah to be a prophet. From looking at the text it seems to me that disguising the truth of the message has a two fold purpose. The first is the same reason why he told so many people to keep quiet about his miracles and silenced demons who recognized who he was. If the Pharisees fully understood what was going on they might step up their plotting of his demise. Therefore parables are a code, so that those who are open to the message will receive it, and those who are not won't.
The second reason, which I think is what Jesus is referring to when he talks about forgiveness in verse 12, should be taken in the context of the parable which he just told and is about to explain, which is the subject they are talking about.
Mark 4:13-20 HCSB
13 Then He said to them: "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones along the path where the word is sown: when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word sown in them.16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy. 17 But they have no root in themselves; they are short-lived. When affliction or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately stumble. 18 Others are sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word, 19 but the worries of this age, the seduction of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word, welcome it, and produce a crop: 30, 60, and 100 times [what was sown]."
So Jesus tells a parable about 4 different types of listeners to his message and then tells his disciples that he is purposely obscuring the message so some listeners will not understand it. It is clear that he is trying to minimise the type of listeners that he does not want. Part of the point of obscuring the message is to prevent the fair weather followers of the second and third examples. Jesus wants true believers who would be committed to the end. It is a similar sentiment to that which is expressed later in the writings of John.
Revelations 3: 16-17 HCSB
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God's creation says: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.
Jesus even tells the crowds what it is that he is doing in the next verses
Mark 4: 21-25
21 He also said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn't it to be put on a lampstand? 22 For nothing is concealed except to be revealed, and nothing hidden except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen!" 24 Then He said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured and added to you. 25 For to the one who has, it will be given, and from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away."
We know that he is speaking to the crowd s here, and not privately to the disciples because of verse 33
Mark 4:33-34
33 He would speak the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand. 34 And He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, He would explain everything to His own disciples. 35 On that day, when evening had come, He told them, "Let's cross over to the other side [of the lake]." 36 So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was [already] in the boat. And other boats were with Him. 37 A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, "Teacher! Don't you care that we're going to die?" 39 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Silence! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 Then He said to them, "Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?" 41 And they were terrified and asked one another, "Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!"
Once again, we see both Jesus compassion and divinity displayed side by side. Jesus seems upset at the accusation that he does not care about, which plays into the strength of his response, both in the miracle and the response to his disciples. You also see that despite all of this personal time and instruction, the disciples still don't understand who they are actually dealing with.
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