King James Version

What Does Mark 4:12 Mean?

Mark 4:12 in the King James Version says “That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should ...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”

Mark 4:12 · KJV

Forgiveness

Context

10

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

11

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

12

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

13

And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

14

The sower soweth the word.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9-10: 'That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.' This difficult text reveals judicial hardening—repeated rejection of truth results in God-given inability to perceive. The grammar 'that...lest' (ἵνα...μήποτε) can express purpose or result. Either reading is sobering: parables function to harden those already resistant, confirming them in unbelief. Yet this isn't arbitrary—it's judicial response to persistent rejection. The phrase 'lest...they should be converted' doesn't express divine reluctance to save but recognition that hardened hearts won't repent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah 6:9-10 described Israel's hardness in Isaiah's time, when people heard prophets but refused to repent. Jesus identifies His contemporaries with that rebellious generation. Paul applies the same text to first-century Jewish rejection of gospel (Acts 28:26-27; Romans 11:8). This pattern continues—persistent rejection of light produces darkness; spurning grace results in hardening. Church history records this reality: periods of revival followed by apostasy; nations that knew gospel but abandoned it experiencing spiritual darkness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does persistent resistance to truth produce progressive hardening, and what does this warn about your response to conviction?
  2. What hope exists for those experiencing hardness, and how does it relate to God's sovereign grace?
  3. How should understanding judicial hardening affect your urgency in responding to gospel truth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
ἵνα1 of 19

“That”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

βλέπωσιν2 of 19

“seeing”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

βλέπωσιν3 of 19

“seeing”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

καὶ4 of 19

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μὴ5 of 19

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἴδωσιν6 of 19

“perceive”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

καὶ7 of 19

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀκούωσιν8 of 19

“hearing”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ἀκούωσιν9 of 19

“hearing”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

καὶ10 of 19

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μὴ11 of 19

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

συνιῶσιν12 of 19

“understand”

G4920

to put together, i.e., (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously

μήποτε13 of 19

“lest at any time”

G3379

not ever; also if (or lest) ever (or perhaps)

ἐπιστρέψωσιν14 of 19

“they should be converted”

G1994

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)

καὶ15 of 19

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀφεθῇ16 of 19

“should be forgiven”

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

αὐτοῖς17 of 19

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὰ18 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτήματα19 of 19

“their sins”

G265

a sin (properly concrete)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 4:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 4:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 6:9-10Isaiah 44:18Matthew 13:14-15Jeremiah 5:21Deuteronomy 29:4John 12:37-41

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