And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that; seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.“ Mark 4:11,12.
Mystery, musterion; Strong’s #3466. This word comes from mueo, “to initiate into the mysteries,” a secret revealed only to the initiated, something hidden requiring special revelation (John 1:11-13). In the NT this word is defined as something that people could never know by their own understanding and demands a revelation from God.
To the uninitiated, God’s thoughts, plans, redemptive acts remain hidden, but are revealed to all believers.
In Hellenistic or nonbiblical Greek musterion is knowledge withheld, concealed, or silenced. In Biblical Greek (koine “common” language of the NT) it is truth revealed (Col. 1:26).
The “mystery of the kingdom of God” tells us that the kingdom of God has come in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, His words, and works, His sinless life, atoning death, powerful resurrection, and dynamic ascension.
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.”
Feb 13, 2013 @ 19:01:19
I love a good mystery. My son has a season of the Columbo T.V. series on DVD. No blood, a crime, and a mental chess match. Nothing like the graphic stuff on the tube today.
There are so many mysteries in God’s Word. I will never solve them this side of heaven, but I believe that the Bible is God’s truth revealed to man. I am to lean not on my own understanding at times.
Thanks for another nugget, Manny.
Feb 13, 2013 @ 20:35:54
Those were the days wrinkled rain coat detective and his weird car. He seemed a lot like the Sherlock Holmes series on CBS now called “Elementary.” Always busy in his mind analyzing information and forming a conclusion. You are right those episodes were a lot better than the stuff being shown now.