{He taught them} (edidasken autous). Imperfect tense
describing it as going on. {In parables} (en parabolais). As in
 3:23 , only here more extended parables. See on 烘t 13| for
discussion concerning Christ's use of parables. Eight are given
there, one (the Lamp both in  Mr 4:21  and  Lu 8:16  (both Sower
and the Lamp in Luke), one alone in  Mr 4:26-29  (seed growing of
itself) not in Matthew or Luke, ten on this occasion. Only four
are mentioned in  Mr 4:1-34  (The Sower, the Lamp, the Seed
Growing of Itself, the Mustard Seed). But Mark adds ( 4:34 )
"without a parable spake he not unto them," clearly meaning that
Jesus spoke many others on this occasion and Matt. after
mentioning eight ( Mt 13:34 ) makes the same statement.
Manifestly, therefore, Jesus spoke many parables on this day and
all theories of exegesis or dispensations on the basis of the
number of these kingdom parables are quite beside the mark. In
beginning Jesus said: {Hearken} (Akouete). It is significant
that even Jesus had to ask people to listen when he spoke. See
also verse  9 .