Mark 4:12

4:12 so that although they look they may look but not see,

and although they hear they may hear but not understand,

so they may not repent and be forgiven.” 1 

Mark 7:15

7:15 There is nothing outside of a person that can defile him by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles him.”

Mark 10:40

10:40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give. It is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 2 

Mark 11:18

11:18 The chief priests and the experts in the law 3  heard it and they considered how they could assassinate 4  him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed by his teaching.

Mark 15:29

15:29 Those who passed by defamed him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who can destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,

1 sn A quotation from Isa 6:9-10. Thus parables both conceal or reveal depending on whether one is open to hearing what they teach.

2 sn After the first passion prediction in 8:31 Jesus rebuked Peter as having been used by Satan. After the second passion prediction in 9:31 the disciples were concerned about who would be the greatest in the kingdom. After the third passion prediction in 10:33 James and John asked for positions of honor and rulership in the kingdom, revealing their complete misunderstanding of the nature of the kingdom and exposing their inadequacy as true disciples of Jesus. Jesus replied that such positions were for those for whom it has been prepared.

3 tn Or “The chief priests and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 1:22.

4 tn Grk “how they could destroy him.”