And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

MARK 7:17KJV
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Mark 7:17 (KJV)

What does Mark 7:17 mean?

Mark 7:17 describes how, after Jesus left the crowd and entered a house, his disciples privately asked him to explain the meaning of the parable he had just spoken. The verse shows that even Jesus’ closest followers sometimes needed clarification about his teachings.

In this scene, Jesus has just finished addressing a crowd about what truly defiles a person. Once inside a house, away from the public, his disciples approach him with questions. This moment highlights the disciples’ desire to understand Jesus’ deeper message and sets up the explanation that follows in the next verses.

The Greek behind Mark 7:17

  • παραβολή (parabolē): This word, transliterated as "parabolē," means "parable" or "illustration." In this context, it refers to Jesus’ teaching about what makes a person unclean, which was not immediately clear to his listeners.
  • ἐπηρώτων (epērōtōn): This word, translated as "asked," carries the sense of questioning or inquiring with a desire to understand. It shows the disciples were actively seeking clarification, not just passively listening.

Why Mark 7:17 matters

  • Mark 7:17 shows that Jesus often taught in ways that required further explanation, even for his closest followers, highlighting the depth and complexity of his teachings.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of seeking understanding and not being afraid to ask questions about spiritual matters.
  • This moment sets the stage for Jesus’ important teaching about inner purity versus outward ritual, a key theme in the surrounding passage.

Where else these words appear

“parable” Greek G3850 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
  • Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
  • Luke 8:9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

“asked” Greek G1905 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
  • Mark 10:2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.
  • Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

“when” Greek G3753 · used in 105 verses

  • Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
  • Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
  • Romans 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

“house” Greek G3624 · used in 106 verses

  • Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,(then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
  • Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
  • Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;