Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 36:70 (Spring 2023)
Article: Who Are Those On The “Outside”? (Mark 4:11)
Author: Kenneth W. Yates

JOTGES 36:70 (Spring 2023) p. 69

Who Are Those On The “Outside”? (Mark 4:11)

Kenneth W. Yates

Editor

I. Introduction

In Mark 4, Jesus begins to speak in parables to the Jews who come to hear Him. When the disciples ask Him why He has begun this practice, the Lord says that those on the “outside” will hear everything in parables, but that He will explain the meaning of this new form of teaching to His disciples (vv 10–11).

The immediate question that arises here is the identity of those on the “outside.” At first glance, the answer appears simple. However, a closer look at the immediate context, as well as at the Gospel of Mark as a whole, indicates that the group is larger than one might initially expect.

II. The Immediate Context

As indicated by Christ’s new method of teaching, Mark 4 is a turning point in the Gospel. At the end of Mark 3, religious leaders from Jerusalem have come to Galilee because they have heard about the Lord’s miracles and His authoritative teaching (1:22). Up to this point, Mark has not mentioned Jesus ministering in the capital city. However, we know from the Gospel of John that He had been there. A major event in Jerusalem at the beginning of the Lord’s ministry was His cleansing the temple (John 2:13).1 This would help explain the scribes’ hostile attitude towards Him.2 Without a doubt, news of Jesus’ ministry, power, and teaching in Galilee has also reached the capital city. In light of their view of Jesus, the scribes want to quell

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any enthusiasm the people in Galilee have towards Jesus’ words and actions. These leaders are well-aware that Jesus has followers. At least some of these people believe that He is the Messiah, which poses a threat to the religious leaders’ positions of power and influence within the nation.

These leaders conclude that Jesus is able to perform supernatural feats because He is empowered by Satan (3:22). If that is the case, He can’t be the Messiah. That would mean, of course, that His teachings are not to be believed.

This is not the first time in the Gospel that such leaders have opposed Christ. Others have accused Him of blasphemy (2:7). Another group of leaders...