The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Mark 4: 11-12

The true explanation, as this author sees it, is as follows: Both because and that (whether “in order that”—my preference—, or “so that”) are correct. It was because by their own choice these impenitent Pharisees and I heir followers had refused to see and hear, that, as a punishment for this refusal, they are now addressed in parables, “that they may see and see but not perceive, and hear and hear but not understand, lest they should turn again and be forgiven.” They must “endure the blame of their own blindness and hardness” (Calvin on this passage). God had given these people a wonderful opportunity. It is his sovereign will to remove what man is unwilling to improve, to darken the heart that refuses to hearken. He hardens those that have hardened themselves. If God even surrenders to the lusts of their hearts the unenlightened heathen when they hold back the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18, 26), will he not punish more severely the impenitents before whom the Light of the world is constantly confirming the truthfulness of his message? And if he blesses those who accept the mysterious, will he not curse those who reject the obvious? It is evident, therefore, that Matt. 13:13 is in harmony with Mark 4:12; in fact, the “because” of the former helps to explain the “that” or “in order that” of the latter. When, of their own accord and after repeated threats and promises, people reject the Lord and spurn his messages, then he hardens them, in older that those who were not willing to repent will not be able to repent and be forgiven.