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 10:15

10:15 I tell you the truth, ²  whoever does not receive ³  the kingdom of God like a child ⁴  will never ⁵  enter it.”

Mark 13:2

13:2 Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left on another. ⁶  All will be torn down!” ⁷ 

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 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

³ sn On receive see John 1:12.

⁴ sn The point of the comparison receive the kingdom of God like a child has more to do with a child’s trusting spirit and willingness to be dependent and receive from others than any inherent humility the child might possess.

⁵ tn The negation in Greek (οὐ μή, ou mh) is very strong here.

³ sn With the statement not one stone will be left on another Jesus predicted the total destruction of the temple, something that did occur in a.d. 70.

⁴ tn Grk “not one stone will be left here on another which will not be thrown down.”