And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

And when he was alone, those about him, with the twelve, did ask him of the simile,

When He was alone, the Twelve and the others who were about Him requested Him to explain His figurative language.

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, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.

Afterward, when he was alone, his followers and the Twelve asked him about his parables;

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.

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.

And when he was (c) alone, they that were (d) about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
(c) Literally, "solitary".
(d) They that followed him at his heels.

And when he was alone,.... After the multitude was dismissed, and he either remained in the ship, or left it, and retired to some private place, it may be to Simon's house in Capernaum. The Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, "when they were alone"; meaning as follows,
they that were about him with the twelve; that is, such disciples of his, who, besides the twelve, constantly attended him; perhaps those who now were, or hereafter were the seventy disciples. The Vulgate Latin reads, "the twelve that were with him". In Beza's most ancient copy it is read, "his disciples"; and to this agrees the Persic version; and so the other evangelists, Matthew and Luke, relate, that his disciples came and
asked of him the parable; the meaning of it, and why he chose this way of speaking to the people, Matthew 13:10, though that word may include others besides the twelve.

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve--probably those who followed Him most closely and were firmest in discipleship, next to the Twelve.
asked of him the parable--The reply would seem to intimate that this parable of the sower was of that fundamental, comprehensive, and introductory character which we have assigned to it (see on Matthew 13:1).
Reason for Teaching in Parables (Mark 4:11-12, Mark 4:21-25).

When he was alone - That is, retired apart from the multitude.