Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables.In this passage, Jesus employs parables as a teaching method. Parables are simple, metaphorical stories used to convey deeper spiritual truths. This approach was common in Jewish teaching, allowing listeners to engage with the message on multiple levels. The use of parables fulfilled the prophecy in
Psalm 78:2, which speaks of opening the mouth in parables to utter hidden things. Jesus' choice to speak in parables also reflects the fulfillment of
Isaiah 6:9-10, where the people's spiritual blindness and deafness are highlighted. By using parables, Jesus could reveal truths to those open to understanding while concealing them from those who were not receptive.
He did not tell them anything without using a parable.
This phrase emphasizes the consistent use of parables in Jesus' public ministry. It highlights the distinction between the crowds and His disciples, to whom He explained the meanings privately (Matthew 13:36). This method served to sift the genuine seekers from the merely curious. The parables were a form of divine revelation, requiring spiritual insight to comprehend fully. This approach aligns with the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, where understanding is granted to those who seek it earnestly (Proverbs 2:3-5). Jesus' use of parables also underscores His role as the ultimate teacher, one who reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven to those with ears to hear.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure in the New Testament, the Son of God, who uses parables as a teaching method to convey spiritual truths.
2.
The CrowdsThe large groups of people who followed Jesus, eager to hear His teachings and witness His miracles.
3.
ParablesShort, allegorical accounts used by Jesus to illustrate moral or spiritual lessons, often drawn from everyday life.
Teaching Points
The Purpose of ParablesParables are designed to reveal and conceal truth. They invite listeners to engage deeply and reflect on their meanings.
Spiritual DiscernmentUnderstanding parables requires spiritual insight and a heart open to God's truth. This discernment is a gift from the Holy Spirit.
Engagement with ScriptureLike the crowds, we are called to actively engage with Scripture, seeking to understand the deeper meanings behind Jesus' teachings.
The Role of the TeacherJesus exemplifies the role of a teacher who uses relatable accounts to communicate profound truths, encouraging us to find ways to share the Gospel effectively.
Commitment to LearningJust as Jesus explained parables to His disciples, we should seek deeper understanding through study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 13:34?
2.Why did Jesus choose to speak in parables according to Matthew 13:34?
3.How can we discern the deeper meanings in Jesus' parables today?
4.What Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled by Jesus speaking in parables?
5.How can we apply the teachings of Jesus' parables in our daily lives?
6.How does understanding parables enhance our comprehension of Jesus' overall message?
7.Why did Jesus choose to speak in parables according to Matthew 13:34?
8.How do parables reveal or conceal truth in Matthew 13:34?
9.What is the significance of Jesus using parables in Matthew 13:34?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 13?
11.What is the history of the Christian Church?
12.Who was Jesus of Nazareth?
13.What defines Christian Goth culture?
14.Did Jesus speak secretly? John 18:20 says no, but Mark 4:34 and Matthew 13:10-11 suggest he explained parables privately to his disciples.What Does Matthew 13:34 Mean
Jesus spoke• The verse begins with purposeful action: “Jesus spoke.” Every word from the Lord carries divine intent (John 6:63).
• His teaching ministry is active and personal—He doesn’t leave truth to speculation; He declares it.
• Cross reference: “And He began teaching them many things” (Mark 6:34). Jesus continually takes the initiative to communicate God’s message.
all these things• “All” points to the full set of kingdom truths inMatthew 13—the sower, weeds, mustard seed, yeast, hidden treasure, pearl, and net. Nothing is left out; everything necessary for grasping the mysteries of the kingdom is included (Acts 20:27).
• The phrase also highlights completeness: Jesus’ instruction is comprehensive, covering salvation, judgment, growth, and final separation (Matthew 13:24–30, 47–50).
• Cross reference: “Everything I have heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Jesus faithfully passes on the whole counsel of God.
to the crowds• These were everyday listeners—farmers, fishermen, mothers, tradesmen—people hungry for hope yet often confused by religious formalism (Matthew 9:36).
• Jesus meets them where they are, showing God’s heart for the masses as well as for individuals (Luke 19:10).
• Cross reference: “Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there” (Matthew 19:2). His teaching and compassion always move together.
in parables• A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus uses familiar scenes—seeds, soil, dough—to illustrate unseen realities.
• Parables invite listeners to lean in, to ponder, to ask, “What does this mean?”—a mechanism both to reveal and to sift hearts (Matthew 13:10–15).
• Cross reference: “With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand” (Mark 4:33). He adapts to the listener’s capacity while still pointing to deeper truth.
He did not tell them anything without using a parable• This statement underscores a deliberate teaching strategy at that point in His ministry. After increasing opposition (Matthew 12:24), parables become a gracious veil—concealing from the hard-hearted while enlightening the receptive (Matthew 13:16–17).
• The approach fulfills prophecy: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world” (Matthew 13:35; cf.Psalm 78:2).
• Cross reference: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not understand” (Matthew 13:13). Parables both disclose and judge, depending on the listener’s response.
summaryMatthew 13:34 shows Jesus intentionally packaging kingdom truth for maximum impact. He speaks, holding nothing back, addressing real people, and wrapping eternal realities in everyday stories. Parables become both invitation and filter—drawing humble seekers while exposing resistant hearts. The verse reassures us that Christ still speaks comprehensively, accessibly, and purposefully to all who will listen.
(34)
Without a parable spake he not unto them.--The words are, of course, limited by the context to this occasion, but it is noticeable from this time forward that parables are the dominant element in His teaching to the multitude, and that the mysteries of the kingdom are reserved for the more esoteric instruction of the disciples.
Verses 34, 35. - The parallel passage in
Mark 4:33, 34 is as follows: "And with many such parables spoke he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it; and without a parable spoke he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things." The same general idea underlies our present verses, but although each evangelist appears to have used the same words as a basis, he has worked them out in his own characteristic way. For while both writers contrast our Lord's treatment of the multitudes and his treatment of the disciples in the matter of parables, St. Mark barely alludes to his using them as a judicial punishment upon the people, and St. Matthew merely hints here at the fact that Christ explained them to his disciples (see further, ver. 35
b, note). It will be noticed that our verses have much in common with the thought of ver. 10,
sqq. It seems just possible that both paragraphs had one common nucleus from which they were each developed. But according to existing evidence, ver. 10,
sqq., and the parallel passages in Mark and Luke serve to introduce explanatory matter to the disciples, and our present verses with the parallel in Mark to close a series of parables.
Verse 34 -
All these things (
ταῦτα πάντα)
. All seems to imply that the four preceding parables are but a few typical ones taken from a larger collection (cf. Mark, "with many such parables;" also vers. 3, 51).
Spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables;in parables unto the multitudes (Revised Version); for the order of the Greek is the same as in the next clause. Observe the "parallelism" of the two clauses (contrast Mark). Is it due to the influence of Hebrew Christians?
And without a parable spake he not (
nothing, Revised Version, ebony) unto them, As happens often in Semitic writers (cf. St. John's Gospel), the thought of the preceding clause is now expressed negatively, and yet a fresh thought is added, namely, that he spake in parables alone.
Nothing (Revised Version);
i.e. under these circumstances, when large crowds of Galilaeans were listening to him.
Spake (
ἐλάλει: contrast
ἐλάλησεν before);
i.e. during this period.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.spokeἐλάλησεν(elalēsen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2980:A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.allπάντα(panta)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.these thingsΤαῦτα(Tauta)Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.to theτοῖς(tois)Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.crowdsὄχλοις(ochlois)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3793:From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.parables.παραβολαῖς(parabolais)Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3850:From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.He did not tell them anythingἐλάλει(elalei)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2980:A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.without usingχωρὶς(chōris)Preposition
Strong's 5565:Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.a parable.παραβολῆς(parabolēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3850:From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 13:34 Jesus spoke all these things in parables (Matt. Mat Mt) 
