Matthew 13 10

Matthew 13:10 kjv

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

Matthew 13:10 nkjv

And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"

Matthew 13:10 niv

The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

Matthew 13:10 esv

Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"

Matthew 13:10 nlt

His disciples came and asked him, "Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?"

Matthew 13 verses

Matthew 13 10 Meaning

Matthew 13:10 records the disciples' direct question to Jesus after His public teaching using the parable of the Sower. They inquire why Jesus has chosen to teach the crowds in parables, rather than speaking plainly. This question highlights their discernment of a shift in His teaching methodology and prepares the ground for Jesus's explanation of the selective nature of understanding concerning the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 13 10 Context

Matthew chapter 13 is often referred to as "The Parable Chapter," marking a significant shift in Jesus's public teaching methodology. Prior to this, Jesus primarily taught plainly, preached the Sermon on the Mount, and healed. However, as opposition mounted from the religious leaders, and large crowds continued to follow for various reasons, Jesus increasingly employed parables. The Sower parable (Mt 13:3-9) is the first extensive parable in this chapter, publicly delivered to a large crowd. The disciples' question in verse 10 comes after this initial public parabolic teaching, revealing their observation that Jesus was now speaking to the broader audience in a veiled manner. This pivotal moment underscores the growing distinction between those given to understand the Kingdom of God and those whose spiritual ears remained closed. Historically, Jewish rabbis used mashal (parables) as a teaching tool, but Jesus's use goes beyond mere illustration to serve as a means of both revealing truth to insiders and concealing it from outsiders, thus also serving as a judgment on hardened hearts.

Matthew 13 10 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε - Tote): Signifies a chronological sequence, indicating that this inquiry immediately followed Jesus's public teaching of the Sower parable. It highlights a precise moment of shift or reflection.
• the disciples (οἱ μαθηταί - hoi mathētai): Refers to Jesus's inner circle of committed followers. Their identity as "disciples" implies a level of spiritual understanding and proximity to Jesus not shared by the general crowds, enabling them to perceive a change in Jesus's teaching method and prompting their query.
• came and said to him (προσελθόντες...εἶπον αὐτῷ - proselthontes...eipon autō): Emphasizes their deliberate action of approaching Jesus privately. This personal encounter signifies their role as learners seeking deeper understanding, distinguishing them from the indifferent crowd.
• Why (Διὰ τί - Dia ti): Literally "through what?" This interrogative phrase seeks the underlying reason or purpose behind Jesus's parabolic teaching method. It indicates perplexity and a desire for explanation, reflecting genuine inquiry.
• do you speak (λαλεῖς - laleis): Present tense, indicating an ongoing or habitual action. The disciples are observing a new, consistent pattern in Jesus's teaching, specifically to the crowd.
• to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Refers specifically to the crowds, distinguishing them from "you" (the disciples). This clear distinction highlights the two distinct groups receiving Jesus's teaching, one overtly in parables and the other granted further explanation.
• in parables (ἐν παραβολαῖς - en parabolais): Greek parabolē, meaning "a placing beside," "a comparison," or "an analogy." This is not just storytelling, but a specific form of illustrative speech often with an allegorical or hidden meaning. The phrase literally means "in parables," indicating the mode or medium of instruction. It underscores the veiled nature of the message to those who do not possess spiritual discernment.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then the disciples came and said to him,": This phrase emphasizes the initiative taken by Jesus's inner circle. It is not the crowd asking, but those committed to Him, demonstrating their special access and their pursuit of understanding beyond the surface. This setting ensures the subsequent explanation is private, reserved for those who genuinely seek.
• "Why do you speak to them in parables?": This question is central to the entire passage. It reveals the disciples' awareness of a significant change in Jesus's public teaching strategy and their intuitive sense that parables, when used for the public, obscure rather than clarify. Their question implicitly sets the stage for Jesus to unfold the "mystery of the Kingdom," explaining how divine truth is selectively revealed or concealed.

Matthew 13 10 Bonus section

The underlying principle revealed by Jesus's answer to this question in Matthew 13:10-17, echoed in Mark 4:11-12 and Luke 8:9-10, is that understanding the "mystery of the kingdom of God" is a sovereign act of God. It is "given" to some while "hidden" from others. This is not arbitrary, but rather a response to the spiritual disposition of the hearers. Those who have a heart open to receive more (like the disciples) are given more understanding; those who reject (like the crowds and religious leaders) lose even the superficial understanding they might have. This principle directly challenges the contemporary Jewish expectation that spiritual truth was equally accessible to all through traditional Mosaic law and prophetic teaching, revealing that a divine, sovereign work of revelation is now underway through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 13 10 Commentary

Matthew 13:10 is a pivotal verse because it poses the fundamental question about the purpose of Jesus's parables, leading directly into His profound explanation of spiritual receptivity and revelation. The disciples' query arises from observing Jesus's new teaching method directed at the large, diverse crowds. While parables could certainly make a truth memorable and relatable, the disciples recognized that Jesus's parables were not always straightforward. To the uninitiated, they often served to obscure meaning rather than clarify it, leaving many without full comprehension.

Jesus's ensuing answer (Mt 13:11-17) clarifies that His use of parables serves a dual function: to reveal truth to those who have "been given" to understand (the disciples), and simultaneously to veil truth from those who refuse to see or hear (the unbelieving crowds, fulfilling Isa 6:9-10). It demonstrates that understanding the mysteries of the Kingdom is a divine grant, not merely a matter of intellectual capacity. This distinction highlights that while many hear the same words, not all have the spiritual ears or eyes to comprehend their deeper spiritual significance. The parables, therefore, act as a divine sift, separating those who are open to divine truth from those whose hearts are hardened by unbelief and resistance.

For instance, consider two individuals listening to the same sermon about sacrifice. One person hears it as a profound call to commitment, sparking deep spiritual reflection. Another hears it as an antiquated or impractical concept, dismissing it immediately. Both heard the same words, but one had the "ears to hear" the deeper meaning. Similarly, for Jesus, parables were not merely illustrative stories; they were living truths, requiring spiritual apprehension to unlock their divine content.