Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 4:34

"and without a parable spake he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things." — Mark 4:34 (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.