Mark 4:12
That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἴδωσιν
perceive
G1492
ἴδωσιν
perceive
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
6 of 19
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
11 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
συνιῶσιν
understand
G4920
συνιῶσιν
understand
Strong's:
G4920
Word #:
12 of 19
to put together, i.e., (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously
μήποτε
lest at any time
G3379
μήποτε
lest at any time
Strong's:
G3379
Word #:
13 of 19
not ever; also if (or lest) ever (or perhaps)
ἐπιστρέψωσιν
they should be converted
G1994
ἐπιστρέψωσιν
they should be converted
Strong's:
G1994
Word #:
14 of 19
to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀφεθῇ
should be forgiven
G863
ἀφεθῇ
should be forgiven
Strong's:
G863
Word #:
16 of 19
to send forth, in various applications (as follow)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Isaiah 44:18They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.Jeremiah 5:21Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:Deuteronomy 29:4Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.Luke 8:10And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.2 Timothy 2:25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;Hebrews 6:6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.Ezekiel 12:2Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.Acts 3:19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Historical Context
Isaiah 6:9-10 described Israel's hardness in Isaiah's time, when people heard prophets but refused to repent. Jesus identifies His contemporaries with that rebellious generation. Paul applies the same text to first-century Jewish rejection of gospel (Acts 28:26-27; Romans 11:8). This pattern continues—persistent rejection of light produces darkness; spurning grace results in hardening. Church history records this reality: periods of revival followed by apostasy; nations that knew gospel but abandoned it experiencing spiritual darkness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does persistent resistance to truth produce progressive hardening, and what does this warn about your response to conviction?
- What hope exists for those experiencing hardness, and how does it relate to God's sovereign grace?
- How should understanding judicial hardening affect your urgency in responding to gospel truth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9-10: 'That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.' This difficult text reveals judicial hardening—repeated rejection of truth results in God-given inability to perceive. The grammar 'that...lest' (ἵνα...μήποτε) can express purpose or result. Either reading is sobering: parables function to harden those already resistant, confirming them in unbelief. Yet this isn't arbitrary—it's judicial response to persistent rejection. The phrase 'lest...they should be converted' doesn't express divine reluctance to save but recognition that hardened hearts won't repent.