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)
Jesus is pointing out a crucial distinction: "mysteries" of the kingdom aren't unknowable secrets, but truths previously hidden that are now being revealed to those who have ears to hear. It’s not about intellectual capacity, but a divine unveiling, a grace given to some to understand what remains obscured to others.
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)
Jesus had just explained his parable of the sower using parables, which the disciples found confusing. In response to their question about his teaching method, Jesus explains that the ability to understand the deeper truths, or "mysteries," of God's kingdom is a gift given to some, like his disciples, but not to others who are not receptive. This sets the stage for further parables in the chapter, each designed to reveal different aspects of the kingdom to those with ears to hear.
Why did Jesus use parables? Was it to confuse people, or to reveal something precious? It turns out, the word 'mystery' here isn't about something impossible to understand.
Jesus explains to his disciples that the 'mysteries of the kingdom of heaven' are not inherently unknowable. The Greek word used, 'mysteria,' doesn't mean something that can't be understood, but rather something that has been kept hidden and is now being revealed.
Think of it like a secret plan that's finally being shared with a trusted inner circle. These weren't complex, abstract doctrines meant to baffle. Instead, they were divine truths about God's plan, like the inclusion of Gentiles, the nature of the Messiah's kingdom, and the coming of the Gospel. These were truths previously concealed from the general populace but now being opened up to Jesus' followers.
Why do some people grasp spiritual truths while others seem to miss them entirely? Jesus points to a crucial reality about where understanding truly comes from.
Jesus' statement, 'To you it has been given... but to them it has not been given,' highlights a profound theological point: spiritual understanding is a gift from God. It's not solely based on intellect or earthly wisdom. God, in His sovereignty, chooses to reveal His kingdom's secrets to whom He wills.
This isn't about God being unfair. It's about recognizing that all we have – including the ability to comprehend spiritual truths – originates from Him. For those who receive this gift, it's an act of divine grace, enabling them to see and hear what others cannot. For those who don't, it reveals a deeper issue of their hearts being closed off or unprepared.
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Understand the original words
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
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.
This verse highlights Jesus' teaching method in a specific period of his ministry, where he deliberately used parables to both reveal and conceal truths, distinguishing between the receptive hearts of his disciples and the hardened hearts of many listeners.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, calling disciples and teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Teaches in Parables
Jesus increasingly uses parables, like the Parable of the Sower, to teach about the Kingdom, often distinguishing between those who understand and those who do not.
c. AD 30
Jesus Explains Parables Privately
Jesus explains the meaning of parables to his disciples in private, revealing deeper truths about God's kingdom that were not understood by the crowds.
Jesus offers a parallel thought, expressing gratitude to the Father for revealing spiritual truths to the humble, while hiding them from the wise and understanding, echoing the idea of divine election in knowing the kingdom's secrets.
1 Corinthians 2:10-14Paul explains that spiritual truths are revealed by God's Spirit, and that natural people cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned, directly correlating with the disciples' ability to grasp the kingdom's 'mysteries' that others miss.
Romans 11:25Paul discusses a 'mystery' concerning Israel's partial hardening, which allows for the inclusion of Gentiles, highlighting how certain divine purposes are veiled from some until a later, revealed time.
John 12:37-41This passage quotes Isaiah's prophecy about people being unable to believe because their hearts were hardened, illustrating the same principle Jesus is using in Matthew 13:11 – that a spiritual blindness can prevent understanding, even when seeing and hearing.
Luke 10:23-24Jesus tells His disciples they are blessed because their eyes see what many prophets and righteous people longed to see but couldn't, emphasizing the unique privilege and divine gifting involved in understanding Jesus' ministry and the kingdom.
vincentMatthew 13:11: "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
Mysteries (μυστήρια)From μύω, to close or shut. In classical Greek, applied to certain religious celebrations to which persons were admitted by formal initiation, and the precise character of which is unknown. Some suppose them to have been revelations of religious secrets; others of secret politico-religious doctrines; others, again, sceni…
barnesMatthew 13:11: "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
The mysteries of the kingdom - The word "mystery," in the Bible, properly means a thing that is "concealed," or that "has been concealed." It does not mean that the thing was "incomprehensible," or even difficult to be understood. The thing might be "plain" enough if revealed, but it means simply that it "had" not been before made known. Thus…
Jesus is pointing out a crucial distinction: "mysteries" of the kingdom aren't unknowable secrets, but truths previously hidden that are now being revealed to those who have ears to hear. It’s not about intellectual capacity, but a divine unveiling, a grace given to some to understand what remains obscured to others.
Jesus had just explained his parable of the sower using parables, which the disciples found confusing. In response to their question about his teaching method, Jesus explains that the ability to understand the deeper truths, or "mysteries," of God's kingdom is a gift given to some, like his disciples, but not to others who are not receptive. This sets the stage for further parables in the chapter, each designed to reveal different aspects of the kingdom to those with ears to hear.
Jesus had just explained his parable of the sower using parables, which the disciples found confusing. In response to their question about his teaching method, Jesus explains that the ability to understand the deeper truths, or "mysteries," of God's kingdom is a gift given to some, like his disciples, but not to others who are not receptive. This sets the stage for further parables in the chapter, each designed to reveal different aspects of the kingdom to those with ears to hear.
"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." — Jesus is pointing out a crucial distinction: "mysteries" of the kingdom aren't unknowable secrets, but truths previously hidden that are now being revealed to those who have ears to hear. It’s not…
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Last reviewed October 2026