Disciples, outsiders, and the secret of the Kingdom: Interpreting Mark 4:10-13.

The aim of this thesis is to answer the following question: Did the saying about disciples, outsiders, and the mystery of the Kingdom of God originate with Jesus; and if so, what did he intend by it? Phrased in another fashion, this inquiry concerns the authenticity and meaning of Mark 4:11-12. In reality there are two questions, but the latter grows out of the former if the former receives an affirmative answer. Even if the question about authenticity were to receive a negative answer, the investigator would find it necessary to account for the saying, its meaning, and intention, though of course these would not then be ascribed to Jesus