New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 13:53

Secrets of the Kingdom

When Jesus had finished these parables, He withdrew from that place. Matthew 13:53 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 13:53, in plain English

When Jesus finished these parables, He moved on from that area.

Why it's here

The parable discourse is complete. Jesus is about to head home, where He will face a surprising reception.

Who's speaking

Matthew narrates the transition.

Where it sits in the story

With the teaching session over, Jesus heads to His hometown. What happens there will be a painful illustration of everything He just taught about rejection.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Matthew's transitional formula: 'When Jesus had finished these parables' (hote etelesen ho Iesous tas parabolas tautas), marking the conclusion of the third major discourse and Jesus' departure from that location.

Language and setting

This is the third occurrence of Matthew's fivefold discourse-closing formula (cf. 7:28, 11:1). Jesus' departure signals a narrative transition to the rejection at Nazareth.

Voice

The narrator provides a transitional statement.

Significance

Matthew signals the end of the parable discourse with his characteristic formula, transitioning to Jesus' journey to His hometown where a very different reception awaits.

In context

Matthew 13:51–55

51Have you understood all these things?”

52Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

53When Jesus had finished these parables, He withdrew from that place.

54Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked.

55“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?

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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