Chapter # 4 Paragraph # 5 Study # 1
June 23, 2020
Moss Bluff, Louisiana

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NASB

24 And He was saying to them, "Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.
25 "For whoever has, to him [more] shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him."

• I. The Context.
  • A. Jesus "was saying to them" (Imperfect Indicative Active).
    • 1. This is the "typical" phrase in respect to the parables (4:2, 9, 11) until 4:13 where the text switches to the present, indicative, active and then switches back in 4:21, 24, 26, and 30.
      • a. The only readily apparent reason for the one-time switch is that Jesus "is saying" puts a premium on this content wherein He declares that the first parable is "key" to understanding "all the parables".
      • b. Otherwise, the imperfect, giving a focus upon on-going, past, action, is emphatic as to the content: each parable is a crucial element in the revelation of the mystery.
    • 2. The verb (lego) continues to be focused upon the importance of the speech as communicating truth, not just so much sound.
  • B. Previously, the critical parables are, first, about the proclamation of The Word and the responses men give to it, and, second, about the coming of The Lamp to give light upon what is hidden.
  • C. Afterwards, the next parable is about the soil that produces its crop in spite of the ignorance of the sower.
  • D. Thus, this interim "saying" is encircled by issues of understanding unto fruitfulness. The strong implication is that there is a significant issue regarding whether The Word will be understood by the disciples and what the outcomes of that will be.
• II. The Details.
  • A. "Take care..."
    • 1. Mark's first use of this verb is in 4:12 where Jesus is recorded as saying that the parables were to result in "seeing, they shall see, and not perceive" because those "outside" were to be kept from a knowledge of "the mystery".
    • 2. His second use is our current text, taken as a warning.
    • 3. His third use is found in the mouths of His disciples as they scoff at His question by using this verb: You can certainly "see" how the crowd is pushing and shoving to get to Him and You ask 'Who touched Me?' Their rude response is amazing, but rather typical.
    • 4. His fourth, and fifth uses (8:15 and 18) point back to 4:12, and, by flow of thought, to our current text.
    • 5. The point: Jesus was saying, "Use your eyes with caution in respect to the 'what' of the content of information to which you will 'listen'. This is another indication that He had 4:12 in mind in that He referred to both "seeing" and "hearing" with no good result from either and both. There may actually also be a reference to the truth that John declares in 1 John 3:7 and 10: you should not be listening to the person you can see is not 'righteous'. There is deception in that pot. "Theology" that is not working for the one preaching it, will also not work for the ones listening.
  • B. At issue: "to what" you listen is determinative in the consequences of your listening. The "to what" is an interrogative (a question), accusative (a direct object), neuter ("To what are you listening?"). This makes the "Beware" an introductory warning as in "Beware: To what are you listening?").
    • 1. In the first place, no one should listen to non-inspired sources of truth in terms of the origins of truth (sowers are not inspired sources, but their sources should be).
      • a. At issue is the content to which the disciple turns for understanding unto fruitfulness.
      • b. There is an assumption that this content will be delivered by a "sower". The strong implication is that "The Lamp" should be the ultimate "Sower", but Jesus was not going to be among them and after Him would come many false apostles and teachers.
    • 2. In the second place, whatever "device of measure" is initially chosen will be significantly determinative (if one chooses a standard ruler as his/her "device" all he/she can get from it is inches, feet, yards, etc.).
      • a. The device is critical because of its dominion over the results.
      • b. But the device is also critical because of the continuing down-line consequences (gains will be increased, but losses will also pile up).
      • c. Thus, the question of the choice of "device" is raised: What/how should I "hear"?

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This is article #165.
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