Markus 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 

Markus 4:19

4:19 but ²  worldly cares, the seductiveness of wealth, ³  and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, ⁴  and it produces nothing.

Markus 5:15

5:15 They came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind – the one who had the “Legion” – and they were afraid.

Markus 13:19

13:19 For in those days there will be suffering ⁵  unlike anything that has happened ⁶  from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, or ever will happen.

[4:12]  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.

[4:19]  ² tn Grk “and.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

[4:19]  ³ tn Grk “the deceitfulness of riches.” Cf. BDAG 99 s.v. ἀπάτη 1, “the seduction which comes from wealth.”

[4:19]  ⁴ sn That is, their concern for spiritual things is crowded out by material things.

[13:19]  ⁵ tn Traditionally, “tribulation.”

[13:19]  ⁶ sn Suffering unlike anything that has happened. Some refer this event to the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70. While the events of a.d. 70 may reflect somewhat the comments Jesus makes here, the reference to the scope and severity of this judgment strongly suggest that much more is in view. Most likely Jesus is referring to the great end-time judgment on Jerusalem in the great tribulation.