Why did Jesus hide the truth in parables? Mark 4:8-12 (Why I am not a Calvinist, Part 5)

Jesus did not want some people to believe in Him. Why? Here's the passage: But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.'" (Mark 4:10-12) He spoke in parables so people would not understand and believe. I think He did this because if everyone believes, He would never have gone to the cross, so they couldn't be saved. But our primary focus here is on how this contradicts two claims of Calvinism: total inability and unconditional election. We need to make two points: 1. These people could have believed if Jesus had not spoke in parables. Therefore, they were able. 2. Jesus was respecting their own previous decision to reject the light they had. He quotes from Isaiah 6:8-10 to explain this. You can read this in article format at http://benhammond.org/why-did-jesus-h... See the playlist: "Why I am not a Calvinist"    • Why I am not a Calvinist   #whyiamnotacalvinist #Calvinism #Mark4:10-12 #parables #Jesus #totalinability #totaldepravity #unconditionalelection #Soteriology #gospel #grace #ReformedTheology #Arminianism #regeneration    / @pastorbenhammond