The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
Parallel translations
- KJV And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
- BSB Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?”
- NKJV And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
- NASB And the disciples came up and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
- NLT His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The disciples ask Jesus why he teaches the crowds in parables.
Overview
Their question opens an explanation of the purpose of parables. Jesus' method both reveals truth to the receptive and veils it from the hardened. The answer distinguishes the disciples from the unbelieving crowds.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Mark 4:33–34With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.
- Mark 4:10When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 13:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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