Mark 4:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet despite this, it was mercifully granted unto them that they might recognize their misdeeds, allowing them the chance to repent and obtain forgiveness.

Regarding John's assertion that they could not believe, as Isaiah had stated: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they should not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, nor be converted, and I should heal them” (John 12:39-40), it may appear to contradict the initial claim, urging us not to accept that it was said “let them never see with their eyes” or never discern even a single time. However, it is reasonable to acknowledge that it was explicitly asserted they should not see, as He clearly states—“that they should not see with their eyes.” Thus, He explains, “Therefore they could not believe.” He makes it abundantly clear that this blinding was not executed so that they, troubled by what they didn't grasp, would turn in repentance; for such a transformation couldn't occur unless they first believed. By believing, they could convert; through conversion, they would be healed; and through healing, they would come to realize. Rather, they were blinded by their disbelief, as He emphasizes repeatedly that they could not believe.

If this is indeed the case, who would defend the Jews by claiming they were not culpable simply because they could not believe? It was because they could not believe that He had blinded their eyes. Yet, in understanding God's nature as innocent, we must concede that they deserved this blinding due to their other sins, which in turn prevented them from believing. John's words convey this notion: “Therefore they could not believe, as Isaiah had said, that He had blinded their eyes” (John 12:39-40). It is futile to seek to interpret their blinding as a means for conversion since they could not convert due to their lack of belief, and consequently, they could not believe because they were blinded.

We could also state, without contradiction, that some of the Jews were indeed open to healing. However, they were so ensnared by pride that it was beneficial for them initially not to believe. To such a degree were they blind that they could not grasp the Lord speaking through parables; having failed to comprehend, they did not believe in Him. This lack of belief led them to crucify Him alongside others who were lost. Thus, after the Resurrection, they would have the opportunity to turn back, humiliated further by the judgment associated with the Lord’s death, and come to love Him who had forgiven them such a grave offense. Their pride was so profound that only a great humiliation could lead to their conversion.

It may appear improper to assert this unless one reads the Acts of the Apostles, where it aligns with John's claim: “Therefore they could not believe, because He had blinded their eyes, so that they should not see.” From this statement, we gather that they were blinded for the purpose of conversion—hidden from them were the Lord's teachings, expressed through the darkness of parables, so that following His Resurrection, they might repent more effectively. Not understanding the Lord’s message due to the obscurity of the preaching, they did not believe in Him, and because of their disbelief, they crucified Him. Therefore, upon witnessing the miracles done in His name after the Resurrection, they would be tormented by an even greater guilt for their transgression, leading to repentance, and ultimately receiving mercy for their obedience, with their love for Him rekindled.

As for those who were not aided by this blinding towards conversion, the prophet addresses them elsewhere— something also referenced by the apostle in discussions of the obscurity of tongues: “I will speak to this people in other tongues and with other lips, and so they will not hear me,” says the Lord (1 Cor. 14:21; Isaiah 28:11). It would not have been stated, “Thus they will not hear Me,” if it was not intended to strengthen them for humble confession, earnest searching, sincere conversion, and fervent love. The methodology of physical healing is similar; often, treatments initially inflict discomfort in order to heal. Ointments applied to the eyes, if necessary inside the eye, can only help if they first obscure sight, causing disturbance.

We need not be troubled that the prophet proclaims, “Unless you believe, you shall not understand” (Isa. 7:9), as this might appear to contradict John’s assertion that, “Therefore they could not believe, because He blinded their eyes” (cf. John 12:40). The former speaks to understanding profound truths in which He abides. However, when addressing what is to be believed, if one does not grasp what is expressed, it cannot be believed. Therefore, what is communicated must be understood to be believed, allowing for belief in that which has been spoken, while also necessitating belief in what has not been articulated for deeper understanding.

The prophecy of Isaiah aptly describes them: "You will hear with the ear and not understand, and you will look with the eyes and not see; for the hearts of these people have grown dull, and they can hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn back that I may heal them" (Matthew 13:14-15; Isaiah 6:9-10). The depravity of many among them is so profound that they intentionally become deaf to the truth and shut their eyes to the mighty signs, as if afraid that encountering the truth might lead them to turn to God and receive salvation from Him. However, Christ does not reject them; rather, He continues to share His teachings about the kingdom of heaven but does so in a manner that requires some effort to unravel their meaning. Those who genuinely seek to grasp the significance of these parables will receive understanding, and such comprehension will grow within them. Conversely, those who lack this earnest desire will remain unresponsive to Christ's teachings, even if they were delivered plainly; even that inherent knowledge of God, which all people possess, no matter their spiritual development, will not benefit them; it will simply fade away as if it has been taken from them (Matthew 13:12). Yet, to the apostles, who abandoned all worldly ties and earnestly followed Christ, thereby cultivating faith in Him and a genuine yearning to adhere to His teachings, the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven were revealed; they gained the capacity to understand what others, without faith or desire, fail to see and comprehend.

To those who carefully dismiss the truth due to hardened hearts, listening becomes futile, and sight becomes clouded, as evidenced throughout history. The Jews expected a Messiah who would be a powerful conqueror, but when Christ, the Son of God, appeared with His message, the religious leaders resisted the truth, determined to blind themselves to His miracles. The Apostle Paul faced similar dismissal when he spoke of the Resurrection before the Areopagus in Athens; many scoffed, only to delay further discussion, reflecting how hardened hearts can blind individuals to the reality of divine truth (Acts 17:32). Today, among our educated class—though by no means all—there exists a reluctance to embrace Christ or His Gospel, often exchanging initial faith for skepticism kindled by contemporary atheistic ideologies. It becomes increasingly challenging to awaken those entranced by false philosophies and restore their capacity to ponder the truths of the Gospel.

The grace of understanding the mysteries of heaven is not bestowed arbitrarily; rather, it is accessible to those who, through sincere belief, genuinely strive to uncover them. God created humanity in His image, enabling all to comprehend the truths revealed by Christ. These mysteries demand no extraordinary intellect to grasp; they can simply be understood through faith. One must hold a conviction that Christ is indeed the Son of God, thus affirming that His words are the embodiment of truth. This willingness to believe or be convinced rests solely with the individual. Anyone who studies the Gospel free from prejudice has the chance to comprehend the mysteries made known by the Lord. If one permits themselves to remain ensnared by disbelief, these divine truths will remain elusive.

In dealing with any perceived failure to apprehend these truths, one should reflect upon their own role in that shortcoming. The inquiry into what causes one to miss the opportunity for understanding often leads back to personal barriers. The Lord's declaration—that it is given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but not to them—can be understood to mean that those who have relinquished all worldly distractions for the sake of following Him now possess the opportunity to grasp these profound truths. Conversely, those who allow their hearts to be hardened by selfishness and corrupted teachings find themselves unable to perceive the mysteries unveiled by Him. Hence, the conditions we create for ourselves determine whether we can understand these mysteries. Those who cultivate a mindset conducive to seeking truth will experience growth in understanding, while those who close themselves off from it will find such opportunities slipping away, leading to a disconnection from the innate human desire for God and knowledge of Him.

These vivid images may at least be etched in people's memories, so that when they are more receptive, they can uncover their deeper significance, which remains elusive for them at present. The chosen disciples alone are granted the knowledge of "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," and to them, as the messengers of these mysteries, the Saviour was able to explain the outer illustrations of the parable.

The prophecy of Isaiah is realized in them, which states, ‘By hearing you will hear and will not comprehend; and seeing you will see and will not perceive.’ This prophecy, found in Isaiah 6:9-10 and referenced by the Evangelist Matthew, originally addressed Isaiah's contemporaries. Those who lived during the time of the Savior were even more obstinate than their forebears, remaining spiritually deaf and blind to the messages and miracles of their Messiah. However, this did not pertain to the Lord's disciples, who were granted spiritual insight to perceive the words of eternal life (John 6:68). They were privileged to receive His commendation when He said, “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous individuals have longed to see what you see and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear and have not heard it.” As St. John Chrysostom notes, this refers to witnessing Christ's incarnation, His miraculous deeds, His teachings, and His voice.