Saying 41

English

Jesus said, ‘Whoever has something in his hand will be given more. And whoever has nothing, even what little he has will be taken away.’

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Interpretation

In Mark this saying is a warning about the final judgment: those who are productive for God’s kingdom will be rewarded immensely, while those who are less productive, or not productive at all, will be punished. This sense is retained in Matt 25.29, Luke 8.18, and 19.26. However, Matt 13.12 recontextualizes the saying as an explanation for why Jesus is selective in to whom he will reveal mysteries: more will be revealed to those who eagerly receive his message, while those opposed to him will be prevented from learning. Either meaning could be the intention with Saying 41.

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Parallels

Mark

4.24–25 And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given, and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’

Matthew

13.12 ‘For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’

25.29 ‘For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’

Luke

8.18 ‘Then pay attention to how you listen, for to those who have, more will be given. And from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.’

19.26 ‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given. But from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’