This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed is that Jesus isn't just using parables; he's revealing profound truths that were hidden from the very beginning of time. The word for "utter" carries a sense of passionate, even explosive, disclosure, showing that these "secrets of the kingdom" were meant to be unveiled by Christ.
This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven (like the mustard seed and the leaven), Jesus explains that he intentionally spoke to the crowds in this parabolic way. Matthew points to an ancient psalm, attributed to Asaph, to show that this method of speaking—using figurative language to reveal hidden truths—was prophesied. This is not a direct prediction of the content of Jesus' words, but rather a fulfillment in how he chose to communicate the profound mysteries of God's kingdom.
Jesus' teaching wasn't just for His time; it was the fulfillment of something planned from the very beginning. But what exactly was being revealed?
Matthew 13:35 connects Jesus' teaching style directly to Psalm 78:2, stating that it fulfilled the prophet's words: "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world." This isn't just about Jesus using stories; it's about Him unveiling divine mysteries. The original psalm looks back at God's history with Israel, seeing it as a grand narrative filled with hidden meanings. Jesus, by teaching in parables, was bringing these long-concealed truths about God's kingdom into the light. These weren't new ideas but the deep, foundational truths of God's plan, hidden from human understanding until Christ's arrival.
The verse quotes a prophet. But who was this prophet, and why is their ancient word so significant to Jesus' teaching?
The 'prophet' mentioned here is Asaph, the author of Psalm 78 (as indicated by scholarly consensus and other scriptural references like 2 Chronicles 25:2). While Psalm 78 recounts Israel's history, Matthew sees this historical narrative and Asaph's way of speaking ('in parables,' 'dark sayings') as a prototype for Jesus' own ministry. It's not that Asaph prophesied about Jesus directly, but rather that Jesus' method of teaching – using vivid, often nature-based stories to convey profound spiritual truths – mirrored and fulfilled the style and purpose of the prophet's discourse. This connection highlights that Jesus' teaching wasn't an improvisation but part of a divine pattern for revealing truth, using captivating narratives to engage listeners and make the profound accessible, even if challenging.
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Understand the original words
plēroō · Greek Verb
To make something true or bring it to completion, especially regarding the prophetic Scriptures. It signifies that the events of Jesus' life and ministry were in accordance with the divine plan ordained by God in the Old Testament.
prophētēs · Greek Noun
A spokesperson for God, inspired by the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will or future purposes. In this context, it refers to those who spoke the message of God in the Old Testament, whose words find their ultimate realization in Christ.
katabolē · Greek Noun
In this context, referring to the origin of the created order, the beginning of time, or the inception of the world as established by God. It denotes that which has been determined by God's decree from the very beginning.
Matthew connects Jesus' teaching method directly to Asaph's ancient psalm, highlighting that Jesus' parables reveal divine mysteries, echoing and fulfilling a pattern of teaching established long before.
c. 970 BC
Asaph's Psalm of Israel's History
Asaph, a Levitical musician, composed Psalm 78, reviewing God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated disobedience. He begins with, 'I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter hidden things from of old.'
c. 25 BC - AD 5
Birth of Jesus
Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, is born in Bethlehem, the central figure of God's plan.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Teaches in Parables
During his ministry, Jesus increasingly uses parables to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven to the crowds, while explaining them more fully to his disciples in private.
This is the direct source passage for Matthew's quote, showing Jesus fulfilling the Psalmist's intention to speak in parables and reveal hidden truths about God's dealings with His people.
1 Corinthians 2:7This passage speaks of God's hidden wisdom, planned before the ages, which is revealed through the Spirit, echoing Matthew 13:35's theme of uncovering what was secret from the foundation of the world.
Colossians 1:26Here Paul describes the mystery hidden for ages but now revealed to the saints, directly paralleling the idea in Matthew 13:35 that Jesus' parables unlock divine truths concealed since the beginning.
Mark 4:11-12This passage from Mark reveals Jesus' intention in using parables: to give the mysteries of the kingdom to His disciples while concealing them from outsiders, thus aligning with the 'hidden since the foundation of the world' aspect of Matthew 13:35.
Romans 11:25Paul discusses a 'partial hardening' that has come upon Israel until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, which relates to Jesus' use of parables to both reveal and conceal, ensuring the mysteries weren't fully grasped by all.
calvinMatthew 13:31-35: "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:"
- He delivered another parable to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard, which a man took and sowed in his field: 32. Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown up, it is the largest among herbs, [220] and becometh a tree, so that the fowls of heaven come and make their nests among its…
clarkeMatthew 13:35: "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."
By the prophet - As the quotation is taken from Psalm 78:2 , which is attributed to Asaph, he must be the prophet who is meant in the text; and, indeed, he is expressly called a prophet, 1 Chronicles 25:2 . Several MSS. have Ησαιου, Isaiah; but this is a manifest error. Jerome supposes that Asaph…
What's easily missed is that Jesus isn't just using parables; he's revealing profound truths that were hidden from the very beginning of time. The word for "utter" carries a sense of passionate, even explosive, disclosure, showing that these "secrets of the kingdom" were meant to be unveiled by Christ.
Following a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven (like the mustard seed and the leaven), Jesus explains that he intentionally spoke to the crowds in this parabolic way. Matthew points to an ancient psalm, attributed to Asaph, to show that this method of speaking—using figurative language to reveal hidden truths—was prophesied. This is not a direct prediction of the content of Jesus' words, but rather a fulfillment in how he chose to communicate the profound mysteries of God's kingdom.
Following a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven (like the mustard seed and the leaven), Jesus explains that he intentionally spoke to the crowds in this parabolic way. Matthew points to an ancient psalm, attributed to Asaph, to show that this method of speaking—using figurative language to reveal hidden truths—was prophesied. This is not a direct prediction of the content of Jesus' words, but rather a fulfillment in how he chose to communicate the profound mysteries of God's kingdom.
"This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables;
I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”" — What's easily missed is that Jesus isn't just using parables; he's revealing profound truths that were *hidden* from the very beginning of time. The word for "utter" carries a sense of passionate, ev…
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Last reviewed October 2026