Secrets of the Kingdom
Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” Matthew 13:10 · Berean Standard Bible
The disciples come to Jesus privately and ask: why do You speak to the people in parables? Why not just say things plainly?
The disciples are puzzled by Jesus' teaching method. They want to know why He uses stories instead of direct teaching.
The disciples ask Jesus a question.
The disciples wonder why Jesus tells stories instead of just saying what He means. His answer will reveal something profound about how God communicates truth.
The disciples approach Jesus privately (proselthontes hoi mathetai) to ask why He speaks to the crowds in parables (dia ti en parabolais laleis autois), initiating an important discussion about revelation and concealment.
The disciples' private inquiry establishes a two-level teaching pattern: public parables for the crowds and private interpretation for the inner circle, reflecting the distinction between casual hearers and committed followers.
The disciples question Jesus privately.
The disciples notice Jesus' shift to parabolic teaching and seek a private explanation, opening a conversation about why Jesus uses stories that both reveal and conceal truth simultaneously.
8Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.
9He who has ears, let him hear.”
10Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?”
11He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
Read all of Matthew 13 — A farmer scatters seed, a woman hides yeast, a merchant finds a pearl. Jesus teaches in parables — and not everyone is meant to understand.
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