And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables.
And when he was by himself, those who were round him with the twelve put questions to him about the purpose of the stories.
And when he was alone, they that were about him, with the twelve, asked of him the parable.
When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables.
They that were about him - None of the other evangelists intimate that there were any besides the twelve with him: but it appears there were several others present; and though they were not styled disciples, yet they appear to have seriously attended to his public and private instructions.
See the notes at Matthew 13:10-17. On Mark 4:12, see the notes at John 12:39-40.
When he was alone - That is, separate from the multitude. When he withdrew from the multitude a few followed him for the purpose of more instruction.
4:10 When he was alone - That is, retired apart from the multitude.