“Them That Are Without”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles Tags: Bulletin Articles on UnbelieversRegarding Mark 4:11-12, a querist asks, “Who are those that are without? Is Verse 12 stating he did not want the people without to understand or be forgiven?”
The phrase, “them that are without” used in Mark 4:11 refers to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 5:12; Colossians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 1 Timothy 3:7). Christ is not saying He did not want the people “without” to understand or be forgiven. These unbelievers were not receptive to the spiritual teachings of Christ because they chose not to be receptive.
Matthew’s account gives us a more detailed record of why our Lord spoke in parables (Matthew 13:10-17). Parables were designed to “veil” the truth from those who did not want to understand it but “unveil” the truth to those who were ready to receive and understand the truth. Unbelievers could “see and hear” the narrative of the parables, but they did not want to take the time to “study” (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11) in order to properly “understand” the truths embedded in them (Matthew 13:14; Mark 4:12).
With the above thoughts in mind, let us note that Matthew records Christ quoting from Isaiah 6:9-10. “By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” From this quote, note the phrase, “their eyes they have closed.”
These unbelievers were a lot like unbelievers today; they were closed-minded to the truth of God’s word. Not only that but they also had a “heart” problem as well. Their heart had “waxed gross” or “calloused” (Matthew 13:15 NIV). As long as they maintained that kind of attitude, it was impossible for them to be receptive to God’s truth (cf. Acts 28:17-28).