The Parables Discourse

Sitting in a boat by the Sea of Galilee while a great multitude stood on the shore, Jesus taught many things in parables: the sower, the wheat and tares, the mustard seed, the leaven, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, and the dragnet. When the disciples asked why he spoke in parables, he explained that the mysteries of the kingdom were given to them, while those who had closed their eyes and ears would hear without understanding, as Isaiah foretold. Matthew notes that 'without a parable spake he not unto them,' fulfillling the psalm that says, 'I will open my mouth in parables.'

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Strongest connections in Scripture

Matthew 13 3×

Key Passages

By the Sea Side

Matthew 13:1-3

Jesus turns a boat into a pulpit and begins the parable of the sower.

T¹he same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

² And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. ³ And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

Why Speakest Thou in Parables?

Matthew 13:10-17

Parables reveal the kingdom to open hearts and hide it from those who refuse to see.

A¹⁰nd the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

¹¹ He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. ¹² For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. ¹³ Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. ¹⁴ And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: ¹⁵ For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. ¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. ¹⁷ For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Without a Parable Spake He Not

Matthew 13:34-35

Matthew sees Jesus' parables as the fulfillment of a prophecy about secrets hidden since the foundation of the world.

A³⁴ll these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

³⁵ That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.