Mk 4:10-12

The Purpose of the Parables. 10And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. 11^* He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, 12so 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.’”^c