Matthew 13:51 kjv
Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
Matthew 13:51 nkjv
Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."
Matthew 13:51 niv
"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied.
Matthew 13:51 esv
"Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes."
Matthew 13:51 nlt
Do you understand all these things?" "Yes," they said, "we do."
Matthew 13 51 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 13:10 | The disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” | Initial query about parables' purpose. |
| Matt 13:11 | He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom... has been given to you, but not to them." | God reveals understanding to chosen ones. |
| Matt 13:13-15 | "...Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear... For this people’s heart has become calloused..." | Contrast: those who don't understand. |
| Matt 13:16 | "But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear." | Blessedness of disciples' spiritual perception. |
| Matt 13:23 | "But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it." | Understanding is key to bearing fruit. |
| Matt 13:34 | Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables... | Confirms He spoke all these things in parables. |
| Matt 13:36 | Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable..." | Disciples seek private explanation. |
| Mk 4:10-12 | "...To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything is in parables..." | Mark's parallel on purpose of parables. |
| Mk 4:13 | "Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?" | Highlights understanding as fundamental. |
| Lk 8:9-10 | His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you..." | Luke's parallel on secret revelation. |
| Matt 16:12 | Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. | Progressive understanding of spiritual truth. |
| Acts 8:30-31 | Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" | Need for divine guidance to understand Scripture. |
| Jn 6:60-61 | When many of his disciples heard this, they said, "This is a hard teaching... " Jesus... knowing that his disciples grumbled about this, said to them, "Does this offend you?" | Contrast: others grumbling over difficult teachings. |
| Jn 6:67-68 | "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." | Affirmation of loyalty and understanding. |
| Deut 29:4 | But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to perceive, eyes to see, and ears to hear. | Divine origin of spiritual perception (OT). |
| Isa 6:9-10 | "Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding...'" | Prophetic declaration of spiritual blindness. |
| Jer 5:21 | "Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:" | Callous hearts lacking understanding. |
| Matt 11:25 | At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father... that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children..." | Spiritual truth revealed by divine will. |
| 1 Cor 2:14 | The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. | Spiritual discernment is key to understanding. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. | Stewardship of received understanding/gifts. |
| Jas 1:22 | Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. | Understanding implies action/obedience. |
Matthew 13 verses
Matthew 13 51 Meaning
This verse records a pivotal moment where Jesus asks His disciples if they have comprehended all the parables He has just taught, along with their explanations. Their affirmative response, "Yea, Lord," signifies their initial spiritual insight into the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, distinguishing them from the general crowd who heard but did not understand. It marks a foundational level of spiritual discernment necessary for their future role.
Matthew 13 51 Context
Matthew 13 is often referred to as the "Parables Chapter," containing a significant collection of Jesus' teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven presented in parabolic form. The chapter opens with Jesus teaching the Parable of the Sower to large crowds (Matt 13:1-9). Subsequently, His disciples inquire why He speaks in parables (Matt 13:10), to which Jesus explains that understanding of the Kingdom's mysteries is granted to them but veiled from others (Matt 13:11-17). He then privately interprets the Parable of the Sower for them (Matt 13:18-23). The rest of the chapter features several more parables (Wheat and Tares, Mustard Seed, Leaven, Hidden Treasure, Pearl of Great Price, Net), some given to the crowd and some primarily explained to the disciples. Verse 51 marks a culmination, as Jesus concludes His parabolic discourse. By asking if they understood "all these things," He confirms that He has now finished this phase of teaching and assesses their comprehension, leading into the next significant parable about the "scribe discipled for the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 13:52), which builds directly upon this affirmed understanding. Historically, the teaching in parables was a common rabbinic method, but Jesus' specific use often veiled truth from those whose hearts were hardened while revealing it to those receptive. This serves as a polemic against the Jewish religious leaders and masses who failed to recognize Him or His message despite hearing it.
Matthew 13 51 Word analysis
- Jesus saith unto them: A common narrative connector, signifying Jesus initiating a direct address to His disciples.
- Have ye understood (συνήκατε - synēkate): This is a key term. Synēkate (from syniemi) means to "put together," "bring together," and hence to "perceive," "grasp," "comprehend," or "understand thoroughly." It implies a mental effort of synthesizing and internalizing information, not just hearing. It contrasts with mere superficial hearing or intellectual assent; it denotes genuine comprehension of the spiritual truths hidden within the parables. This question assesses their receptivity and the Holy Spirit's work in revealing truth to them (Matt 11:25, 16:17).
- all these things: This comprehensive phrase refers to the entire collection of parables Jesus has just taught (Sower, Weeds, Mustard Seed, Leaven, Hidden Treasure, Pearl, Net) and their subsequent explanations where given to the disciples. It implies a body of related teaching about the nature, growth, and destiny of the Kingdom of Heaven.
- They say unto him: The collective response of the disciples.
- Yea (Ναί - Nai): A strong affirmative, meaning "yes, truly." It expresses their confidence in their understanding.
- Lord (Κύριε - Kyrie): This title acknowledges Jesus' authority as their teacher and Master. Their affirmation is given with reverence and submission to His instruction. It shows a developed recognition of His unique position, indicating not just intellectual agreement but a readiness to accept and obey.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Have ye understood all these things?": This question by Jesus isn't merely for information. It serves multiple purposes:
- Assessment of spiritual progress: It checks if His teachings, especially the profound mysteries of the Kingdom, have penetrated their hearts and minds, contrasting them with the uncomprehending crowd (Matt 13:13-15).
- Foundation for further revelation: Their positive answer is a prerequisite for Jesus to further instruct them about their role as teachers of these truths (Matt 13:52).
- Confirmation of divine work: Their understanding is a testimony to the Father's hand in revealing these truths to them (Matt 11:25).
- Preparation for future ministry: Gaining this understanding is crucial for them to later disseminate these truths.
- "Yea, Lord": This simple yet profound reply confirms several things:
- Affirmed understanding: They genuinely believe they have grasped the meaning.
- Disciples' readiness: Their positive response indicates they are spiritually primed for further instruction and mission.
- Growing faith: It demonstrates a progressive maturity in their perception of Jesus' teachings, from initial questioning (Matt 13:10) to confident assent.
- Contrast with others: Their response highlights their distinction from those who are dull of hearing or whose hearts are hardened (Matt 13:15; Lk 8:10).
Matthew 13 51 Bonus section
The disciples' "Yea, Lord" reflects a partial, but essential, spiritual awakening. While they may not have fully grasped the depth and implications of every parable at this moment, they had discerned the foundational spiritual principles being taught. Their understanding was progressive, and throughout their walk with Jesus, there would be moments of both clarity and confusion (e.g., Matt 16:21-23, Lk 24:25-27). This verse highlights that spiritual comprehension is a gift of God, aligning with passages like Matt 11:25 and 1 Cor 2:14. It sets a precedent that understanding Kingdom truths is a divine enablement that leads to greater responsibility. The "Lord" in their answer signals not just intellectual assent but humble submission to Jesus as the source of truth, emphasizing the personal, relational aspect of spiritual understanding.
Matthew 13 51 Commentary
Matthew 13:51 serves as a significant turning point in Jesus' discourse on parables. Having completed His major teaching session about the Kingdom, Jesus pauses to gauge His disciples' comprehension. His question, "Have ye understood all these things?" is not a superficial inquiry, but a probe into their spiritual grasp of the profound mysteries of the Kingdom that He had revealed, both publicly in parables and privately in their explanations. Their confident affirmation, "Yea, Lord," indicates that unlike the general crowd, their hearts and minds were receptive to divine truth. This "yes" marks a foundational stage in their spiritual education; it implies they are not merely passive hearers but active receivers who have synthesized the teachings. This verified understanding is critical because it prepares them for the following instruction regarding their future role as "scribes instructed unto the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 13:52), signifying that those who truly understand these truths are then entrusted to share them with others. Their comprehension, though not yet perfect or exhaustive, sets them apart as those blessed with spiritual insight.