Matthew 13:10-11
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The disciples' question, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" isn't just about confusion over Jesus' teaching method; it highlights a subtle distinction in how the crowd experienced God's word versus how Jesus' closest followers did. They perceive that the parables, while veiled, are intended to reveal truths to those ready to receive them, while obscuring them for those who aren't.
After Jesus finishes speaking a parable to the crowds gathered by the sea, his disciples approach him privately, seeking clarity on his teaching method. They ask why he now speaks to the people in parables, which seem more obscure than his direct teachings, wondering about the purpose behind this new way of communicating.
Ever wondered why Jesus didn't just say things plainly? His disciples certainly did! Their question reveals a deeper purpose behind His teaching method.
The disciples, seeing the crowds grapple with Jesus' words, came to Him with a pressing question: 'Why do you speak to them in parables?' (Matthew 13:10). This wasn't just about confusing language; it was about understanding. The parables, while seemingly simple stories, were designed to engage the heart and mind in a unique way.
A Divine Filter
Jesus’ answer, explained in the verses that follow, reveals that parables acted as a filter. For those with open hearts, eager to grasp the 'mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,' the parables unlocked deeper truths. But for those with hardened hearts, resistant to God's message, the parables remained veiled, even reinforcing their existing blindness. It wasn't that Jesus wanted to obscure the truth, but that His teaching method exposed the listener's inner disposition.
More Than Just Stories
Think of it like this: a simple story about a sower and seeds (the parable Jesus then tells) can be heard on multiple levels. Some hear it and move on. Others hear it and ponder the effort, the varied outcomes, and the nature of the soil. Jesus used this method because, as the text implies, He was speaking to a reality that required more than just intellectual assent; it demanded a response from the core of one's being.
While the crowds heard stories, Jesus’ inner circle received something more profound. What was this special access, and why them?
Jesus directly addresses His disciples' question by highlighting a key distinction: 'To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given' (Matthew 13:11).
A Gift, Not Earned
This 'knowing' wasn't a reward for their intelligence or dedication, though they certainly had both. Jesus emphasizes it's a gift. It was 'given' to them. This highlights God's sovereign choice in revealing His truths. They had set aside everything to follow Him, demonstrating a readiness and openness that set them apart.
Understand the original words
mathētēs · Greek Noun
Those who follow Jesus, characterized by a willingness to learn, ask questions, and submit to His teaching. They are distinguished by their desire to know the hidden truths of the kingdom that are veiled to the casual observer.
parabolē · Greek Noun
An earthly story with a heavenly meaning; a teaching device used by Jesus to reveal truth to those seeking God while simultaneously veiling it from those with hardened or rebellious hearts.
mystērion · Greek Noun
A divine truth previously hidden but now revealed by God to His people. It refers to the sovereign plan of God, particularly regarding the gospel and the redemptive work of Christ.
basileia · Greek Noun
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching about the Kingdom of God and performing miracles. His message gains a large following, but also attracts the opposition of religious leaders.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Teaching by the Sea of Galilee
Jesus, addressing a large crowd gathered on the shore, begins to teach using parables, a common teaching method in the ancient world that used stories to convey deeper spiritual truths.
Early 1st century AD
Disciples' Private Question
After the crowd disperses, Jesus' closest followers approach him privately to ask why he speaks to the people in parables, indicating their desire for deeper understanding and perhaps confusion about his method.
This passage directly parallels Matthew's account, with Mark adding that the disciples asked Jesus about the parables when they were alone with him, highlighting their desire for deeper understanding beyond the crowds.
Luke 8:9Similar to Mark, Luke records the disciples asking Jesus specifically for the meaning of the parable, emphasizing their personal quest for knowledge and insight into the mysteries of the kingdom.
Isaiah 6:9-10Jesus quotes this prophecy to explain His use of parables, revealing that sometimes obscuring truth is a divine judgment on those who persistently refuse to understand, fulfilling Isaiah's foretelling of hardened hearts.
Matthew 13:11-12This passage immediately follows the disciples' question and provides Jesus' direct answer, stating that understanding the mysteries of the kingdom is a gift given to some, while others are given less, setting the stage for why parables are used.
John 12:39-40This passage also references Isaiah 6:9-10, explaining that the people's disbelief was a result of their own hardening, which prevented them from seeing and understanding Jesus, reinforcing the concept of divine judgment through obscured truth.
barnesMatthew 13:10: "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?"
Christ, in these verses, gives a "reason" why he used this manner of instruction. See also Mark 4:10-12 ; Luke 8:9-10 .
bensonMatthew 13:10: "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?"
Matthew 13:10-12 . The disciples — Mark says, οι περι αυτον συν τοις δωδεκα , those that were about him, with the twelve, that is, not only the apostles, but such other well-disposed persons as generally attended on Christ’s ministry, and were desirous of learning of him; came to him, namely, when the assembly was broke up, and Christ had delivered many other parables afterward mentioned; for th…
The disciples' question, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" isn't just about confusion over Jesus' teaching method; it highlights a subtle distinction in how the crowd experienced God's word versus how Jesus' closest followers did. They perceive that the parables, while veiled, are intended to reveal truths to those ready to receive them, while obscuring them for those who aren't.
After Jesus finishes speaking a parable to the crowds gathered by the sea, his disciples approach him privately, seeking clarity on his teaching method. They ask why he now speaks to the people in parables, which seem more obscure than his direct teachings, wondering about the purpose behind this new way of communicating.
After Jesus finishes speaking a parable to the crowds gathered by the sea, his disciples approach him privately, seeking clarity on his teaching method. They ask why he now speaks to the people in parables, which seem more obscure than his direct teachings, wondering about the purpose behind this new way of communicating.
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The Growing Revelation
For the disciples, Jesus' parables weren't just stories; they were keys unlocking deeper understanding of God's unfolding plan. This privileged insight wasn't static; it grew. As they followed Jesus, heard His teachings, and witnessed His actions, the mysteries began to unfold. This experience stands in stark contrast to the crowd, for whom the parables served a different, hardening purpose.
The sovereign reign and rule of God over all creation, now inaugurated through Jesus Christ. It represents the sphere of God's authority and the community of those who submit to His lordship.
"Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." — The disciples' question, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" isn't just about confusion over Jesus' teaching method; it highlights a subtle distinction in how the crowd experienced God's word ver…
