Why Did Jesus Speak in Parables? Discovering the Secrets of the Kingdom Through Intimacy with God
- Enid OA
- Sep 20
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Mark 4:10–12
“When Jesus was alone, some of those who had heard him came to him with the twelve disciples and asked him to explain the parables. “You have been given the secret of the Kingdom of God,” Jesus answered. “But the others, who are on the outside, hear all things by means of parables, so that, ‘They may look and look, yet not see; they may listen and listen, yet not understand. For if they did, they would turn to God, and he would forgive them.”
When I Got Stuck on This Verse
I was reading through Mark 4 one day, enjoying the flow of the parables of the sower, the lamp, and the seed. Then I hit verses 10–12 — and suddenly, I stopped.
Jesus said: “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables…”
It raised so many questions in me:
Who exactly are the “you”?
Who are the “others”?
And why would Jesus speak in a way that some people hear but don’t understand, look but don’t see?
It felt puzzling. But as I lingered, I discovered this passage isn’t about exclusion at all — it’s about intimacy, fellowship, and a deeper relationship with God.
Who Are the “You”?
When Jesus says “to you”, He is speaking to the disciples and the small group of followers who drew near to Him after the crowds had gone. These people weren’t perfect, but they were hungry. They asked questions, pressed in, and wanted more than surface-level teaching.
Because of that closeness, Jesus entrusted them with the “secret of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11). Psalm 25:14 echoes this truth: “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.”
Intimacy unlocks revelation.
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Who Are the “Others”?
The “others” were the crowds and religious leaders who listened but kept Jesus at arm’s length. They were content with surface-level hearing, or in some cases, hardened in their hearts.
To them, parables were just nice stories. But they never stepped into deeper fellowship. Jesus’ words acted like a doorway — open for anyone — but only those who stepped closer discovered the treasure inside.
This shows us that in the kingdom of God, proximity matters.
What Is the Secret of the Kingdom of God?
The word secret (Greek: mystērion) doesn’t mean something forever hidden. It means something once concealed but now revealed through Jesus.
The secret is this: the kingdom of God has come through Christ Himself. It begins small, like a mustard seed (Mark 4:30–32). It works quietly, like a seed growing in the soil (Mark 4:26–29). And it is unstoppable, bringing transformation to the world.
To truly grasp it requires more than casual hearing — it requires intimacy and fellowship with Jesus.
Why Did Jesus Use Parables?
On the surface, it seems like Jesus used parables to confuse people. But when He quotes Isaiah 6:9–10, He is showing that parables both reveal and conceal.
To the humble and hungry, parables reveal deep truths and invite intimacy.
To the resistant or hardened, parables remain only surface-level stories, concealing what their hearts are not ready to receive.
Parables are not meant to push people away but to test the heart. Will we step closer into relationship, or stay in the safety of the crowd?
Whispered Words of Intimacy
Tommy Tenney once wrote:
“Whispered words from a place of intimacy can be more powerful than shouted petitions from the courts.”
That line captures what Jesus was doing. He wasn’t shouting information to the masses; He was whispering secrets to those who stayed near.
The disciples weren’t insiders because of status — they were insiders because of intimacy. And that same invitation is open to us today.
How This Applies to Our Walk with God
This parable isn’t just history — it speaks directly to us. Think of moments when you’ve been praying for clarity, waiting for an answer, or needing God’s direction. Often, God doesn’t answer with thunder. Instead, He plants a seed — a scripture, a small prompting, a whisper in prayer.
At first, it may seem small or hidden. But if we stay in fellowship with Him, it grows into something life-changing. The parables remind us that God’s kingdom truths require us to lean in closer.
Like the disciples, we’re invited to move from the crowd into intimacy.
Moving From the Crowd to Intimacy
So how do we shift from being “outsiders” to those who receive the secrets of the kingdom?
Abide in Jesus (John 15:7) — remain in Him daily.
Ask, Seek, Knock (Matthew 7:7–8) — God honours persistent seekers.
Obey what you know (John 7:17) — revelation grows with obedience.
Stay in fellowship (Mark 4:34) — Jesus explained parables in community.
Pray for open eyes (Psalm 119:18) — revelation is always a gift of grace.
Reflections, Declarations, and Next Steps
Reflections
Am I living like part of the crowd, hearing but not seeking deeper fellowship?
What steps could I take this week to move closer in intimacy with Jesus?
Where has God given me a “small seed” that I need to nurture in faith?
Declarations
I choose intimacy with God over casual distance.
I receive the secrets of the kingdom as I draw near in fellowship with Jesus.
The whispers of God in intimacy are stronger than the noise of the world.
The seed of God’s Word is alive and growing in me, even if I don’t see it yet.
Next Steps
Take 15 minutes each day this week to read one parable slowly.
Journal one question you want to ask Jesus, then sit in silence to listen.
Share your insights with a friend or your faith community for deeper growth.
Final Encouragement
The parables of Jesus are not riddles meant to confuse but invitations into deeper relationship. They separate the curious from the committed, the distant from the intimate.
Don’t settle for being part of the crowd. Draw near. Ask your questions. Stay in fellowship. Let Jesus whisper the secrets of the kingdom of God into your heart.
Because intimacy with God will always reveal more than distance ever could.
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