Jesus told his disciples that the “secret of the kingdom of God” was given to them, but others received things “in parables” (Mark 4:11). Mark records Jesus connecting this to seeing, hearing, and understanding (Mark 4:12).
In private, after speaking to the crowds, Jesus’ close circle asks what his parables mean. He answers by drawing a line between insiders and outsiders. The insiders are being granted access to “the mystery of the kingdom of God,” while outsiders receive everything in parables. This moment sits inside Mark’s parable section, especially the parable of the sower and its explanation (Mark 4:1–20). Mark shows Jesus teaching crowds publicly, then explaining privately to a smaller group.
Mark presents a private scene after public teaching: Jesus’ close circle (the twelve plus others near him) ask what the parables are about (explicit). Jesus answers by distinguishing two audiences: insiders are “given” access to “the mystery of the kingdom of God,” while “those outside” encounter his message in parables (explicit).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with Mark 4:11, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
11He said to them, "To you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,