Untitled Sermon

Jesus’ reply points to the two-pronged purpose of parables—to reveal and to conceal.

As in 11:25–30, divine sovereignty and human responsibility are carefully balanced

Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 215.

The distinction between the disciples and crowd is crucial in order to understand Jesus’ purpose for speaking in parables. He uses the parables to cause the listener to make a decision about the kingdom of God.

Jesus’ reply points to the two-pronged purpose of parables—to reveal and to conceal.

Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 476.

As in 11:25–30, divine sovereignty and human responsibility are carefully balanced

The implication of Jesus’ answer is that parables are not easy to understand, and so they enable insiders like the disciples to be given the secrets of the Kingdom while keeping outsiders in the dark. This does not mean the outsiders are bad people. It simply means they cannot understand the parables on their own. They will need to come to Jesus and be taught the meaning of the Kingdom.

Roger L. Hahn, Matthew: A Commentary for Bible Students (Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 2007), 171.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 33a: Matthew 1–13 Comment

Although Jesus had undoubtedly used parables earlier in his teaching (cf. 7:24–27; 9:15–17; 11:16–19),

Matthew: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition Jesus’ Purpose in Teaching with Parables 13:10–17

The implication of Jesus’ answer is that parables are not easy to understand, and so they enable insiders like the disciples to be given the secrets of the Kingdom while keeping outsiders in the dark. This does not mean the outsiders are bad people. It simply means they cannot understand the parables on their own. They will need to come to Jesus and be taught the meaning of the Kingdom.

Matthew: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition Jesus’ Purpose in Teaching with Parables 13:10–17

The implication of Jesus’ answer is that parables are not easy to understand, and so they enable insiders like the disciples to be given the secrets of the Kingdom while keeping outsiders in the dark. This does not mean the outsiders are bad people. It simply means they cannot understand the parables on their own. They will need to come to Jesus and be taught the meaning of the Kingdom.

Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 215.

Although Jesus had undoubtedly used parables earlier in his teaching (cf. 7:24–27; 9:15–17; 11:16–19),

Donald A. Hagner, , vol. 33A, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1998), 372.