How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? (NRSV 4:13)
And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? (KJV 4:13)
Jesus is kind of flabbergasted at the disciples' inability to comprehend the Parable of the Sower. After all, he just finished telling them about their privileged access to the secrets of the kingdom of God (4:10-12). So are they VIPs or not?
Quote #2
[…] for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. (NRSV 6:52)
For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. (KJV 6:52)
What exactly didn't the disciples understand about the feeding of the 5,000 in 6:35-52? Are we readers in on the secret or not?
Quote #3
He said to them, "Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile […]. (NRSV 7:18)
And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him […]. (KJV 7:18)
The disciples definitely don't learn from their mistakes. They stupidly fail to understand the parable that Jesus tells in 7:15 just like they failed to understand the Parable of the Sower in 4:13. What is going on with these guys? What does this imply about their supposed status as insiders (4:10-12)?