Matthew 13:10

The Purpose of the Parables

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

Matthew 13:10 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 13:10

And the disciples came, and said unto him
Not the twelve only, but others that were about him, as Mark says, who also were his disciples, and believed in him: these, when he was alone, came nearer to him, who, whilst he was preaching to the people, were at some little distance from him, either in the ship, or on the shore, though within the hearing of him, and addressed him after this manner;

why speakest thou unto them in parables?
not that this way of speaking was new and surprising to them; but because it was not easily understood, especially not by the common people, without an explanation, which, as yet, Christ had not given: and indeed the parable was not understood by the disciples themselves; who put this question, not only for the sake of the multitude, but for their own also, hoping to be favoured with the meaning of it.

Matthew 13:10 In-Context

8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

9 He who has ears, let him hear."

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

11 And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.