Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 4:33

"And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it;" — Mark 4:33 (ASV)

Mark ends this section with a statement about Jesus’ use of parables . He wanted to help the crowd understand by means of a veiled confrontation with the truth, stimulating their thinking and awakening their spiritual perception. The crowd was not ready for a direct revelation of the truth. In contrast, when Jesus was alone with his disciples, he spoke more directly with them; but even they needed his explanation to understand.