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[Exonerated]

Does Mark 4:12 mean Jesus doesn't want the Jews to turn to Him and be forgiven?

[jimwalton]

Great question. Thanks for asking. No, Mk. 4.12 doesn't mean that Jesus doesn't want the Jews to turn to Him and be forgiven. God is continually drawing people towards Himself (Jn. 12.32), and God desires that all people come to a knowledge of the truth and to be forgiven (1 Tim. 2.4).

In Mark 4.12, Jesus is saying the same thing in straight language that was contained in the message of the parable: Some people accept the truth and grow (in relationship with God), while others reject that truth and die (spiritually). As long as their unbelief continues, they will never accept further instruction in the secrets of the kingdom of God. Some people close their minds to the things of God, and as long as they continue in that, they'll never perceive and never understand. The reference is Isaiah 6.9-10, where the point is clearly that people will hear but refuse to accept the message.

The Gospel of Mark is simply filled with irony, and this statement is no different. Though it may look like Jesus is preaching in this way specifically to exclude people, the reality is that Jesus can read hearts and He sees that they will turn away and reject rather than turn towards and be forgiven.