Mark chapter 4 : Jesus' perspective transcends Mark's editorial intentions

Chapter 4 : Jesus' perspective transcends Mark's editorial intentions

11 Jesus 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
12 so that, 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'"

Scholars view verses 11-12 as an editorial addition. The editor inserted these verses between verses 10 and 13 to achieve a specific purpose. Why are these verses considered an editorial insertion, and why did the editor include them?

The content of the two verses contradicts the overall flow of the Gospel. It is nonsensical that Jesus, incarnate to proclaim and bring about the kingdom of God, would wrap the kingdom in parables to prevent outsiders (non-believers) from understanding. It is also difficult to understand why Jesus would speak in parables to ensure that these outsiders could not be forgiven. New Testament scholars, examining the verses with a critical eye, have concluded that the editor of Mark's Gospel inserted them to fulfill a particular objective.

What might this specific objective of the editor be? The editor distinguishes between believers (disciples, community members) and non-believers (those on the outside). The criterion for this distinction is the ability to understand Jesus's parables. Those who comprehend Jesus's parables are part of the disciple group, while those who do not understand are outside this boundary. Notably, the editor of Mark portrays Jesus interpreting the parables directly to his disciples. This depiction was likely intended to boost the morale and strengthen the cohesion of the community. Only the Markan community is privy to the parables and mysteries (secrets) of the kingdom of God and can be forgiven. This would surely bolster the community's self-esteem and courage to endure hardships and oppression.

Considering Jesus's explanation of the Parable of the Sower, the Markan community represents good soil. The group of disciples capable of bearing fruit is the Markan community. Thus, the editor's blueprint to achieve a specific purpose is complete.

However, Jesus's blueprint contained within the Parable of the Sower also exists. The farmer sows seeds not only on good soil but also among thorns, on rocky places, and along paths. To the groups that the editor has labeled as outsiders—those who hear the parables and yet do not understand, and see but do not perceive—the farmer still sows seeds. Here, one can sense Jesus's determination that transcends the limitations (narrow-mindedness) of the Markan editor and community.