So, three things to start. The first is that Jesus is talking to an unspecified crowd in this moment. In 4:10, it says, “When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables.” We don’t know if these are some of the people he’s healed. We don’t know if they’re religious leaders. We don’t know if they are followers who have been around him a while or are brand new to the following. And maybe that helps us to feel more represented in this mix. We can just be part of this small gathering. And that’s what makes this next part so brilliant in Mark’s crafting. The second starting point is that we have jumped over a really important part. It’s the part where Jesus says why he’s speaking in parables. And as I mentioned in my commentary last week, in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus says, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that ‘they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven (4:11-12).’” Mark is indicating that the parables are not necessarily for greater understanding. In fact, quite the opposite. They are here for confusion.