Mark 4:24

Mark 4:24

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

a. NLT: Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be givenfn—and you will receive even more.

b. NIV: “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.

c. YLT: And he said to them, 'Take heed what ye hear; in what measure ye measure, it shall be measured to you; and to you who hear it shall be added;

d. Amplified Bible: And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

1). The meaning of virtue and knowledge includes wisdom, faith, power, and spiritual insight.

e. Worrell Translation: And He said to them, “Take heed what ye hear. With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you; and more will be added.

1. “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear…”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. he said [3004 * lego] [Strong: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]

c. unto them [846 * autos] [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

d. take heed [blepo * 991] Bullinger: to look, see, have the power of sight applied to mental vision or consideration, to consider, to take to heart, employed to express a more intent, earnest spiritual contemplation.] [Strong: a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.

1). Jesus is clearly saying to us that we must give intentional earnest spiritual contemplation to the Scripture.

e. what [5101 * tis] [Strong: probably emphatic of 5100; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.]

f. ye hear [191 * akouo] [Strong: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.]

2. “…with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you…”

a. with [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

b. what [3739 * hos] [Strong: including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

c. measure [metron * 3358] [Zodhiates: a measure of capacity, a portion measured out or allotted.] [Strong: an apparently primary word; a measure ("metre"), literally or figuratively; by implication, a limited portion (degree):-- measure.]

d. ye mete [3354 * metreo] [Zodhiates: to measure] [Strong: from 3358; to measure (i.e. ascertain in size by a fixed standard); by implication, to admeasure (i.e. allot by rule):--figuratively, to estimate:--measure, mete.]

e. it shall be measured [3354 * metreo] See “ye mete” above.

f. to you [5213 * humin] [Strong:  irregular dative case of 5210; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).]

1). Basically, what is being said is the amount of effort we put in is the amount of blessing we will get out. The Amplified translation I believe hits it right on. “The measure of thought and study you give to the truth you hear will be the measure of virtue and knowledge that comes back to you and more besides.” Inserted here can be all the exhortations to meditate God’s word. All of the passages on meditation and the benefits they mention are complimented by what Jesus said.

3. “…and unto you that hear shall more be given.”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. unto you [5213 * humin] [Strong: irregular dative case of 5210; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).]

c. that hear [191 * akouo] [Strong: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.]

Not only will we receive back what effort we put in, but here Jesus says more will be given, wisdom, faith, power.

a). Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

b). World Outreach Church Daily Devotional 12/30/14 Jesus explains in this passage that what we hear determines the kind of fruit we bear in our lives. Too often people listen to the wrong things, meditate on the wrong things, and feed on the wrong things. Jesus said, “Take heed what you hear.” The Amplified Bible makes verse 24 even clearer: And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear. I don’t know about you, but I want to live on the “more besides” side of life. We decide whether we live on the “barely-getting-along” side or on the “more besides” side. But notice this: Jesus says, “More [besides] will be given to you who hear.” Will more be given to those who beg and plead or to those who pray all the time? No. Although it’s important to pray, prayer will do no good unless we’re doing what Jesus tells us to do. “More besides” will be given to us only when we set ourselves to hear the truth of God’s Word.