Matthew 13:10-15

The Purpose of the Parables

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11 And he answered them, x "To you it has been given to know y the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 z For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, a even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because b seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, c nor do they understand.

14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
d "'You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears e they can barely hear,
and f their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and g understand with their heart
and h turn, and I would heal them.'

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 19:11
    But he said to them, "Not everyone can receive ...
    Colossians 1:27
    To them God chose to make known how great among...
    1 Corinthians 2:6 - 10
    Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, altho...
    1 John 2:20
    But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and...
    1 John 2:27
    But the anointing that you received from him ab...
    Matthew 11:25
    At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Fath...
  2. Cross References
    Romans 16:25
    Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 25:29
    For to everyone who has will more be given, and...
    Mark 4:25
    For to the one who has, more will be given, and...
    Luke 8:18
    Take care then how you hear, for to the one who...
    Luke 19:26
    I tell you that to everyone who has, more will ...
    John 15:2
    Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he ...
    James 4:6
    But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "Go...
  4. Cross References
    Revelation 2:5
    Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
  5. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 29:4
    But to this day the Lord has not given you a he...
    Jeremiah 5:21
    Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who ...
    Ezekiel 12:2
    Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebelli...
    Romans 11:8
    As it is written, "God gave them a spirit of st...
    2 Corinthians 3:14
    But their minds were hardened. For to this day,...
    2 Corinthians 4:4
    In their case the god of this world has blinded...
    Isaiah 42:19 - 20
    Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my mess...
  6. Cross References
    Matthew 13:19
    When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
    Matthew 13:51
    "Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes."
    Matthew 15:10
    And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand:
    Matthew 16:12
    Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
    Mark 8:21
    And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?
  7. Cross References
    John 12:40
    "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them."
    Acts 28:26 - 27
    'Go to this people, and say, You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.
    Isaiah 6:9 - 10
    And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.
  8. Cross References
    Isaiah 6:9 - 10
    And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.
  9. Cross References
    Hebrews 5:11
    About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
  10. Cross References
    John 9:39
    Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.
    John 9:41
    Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.
  11. Cross References
    Romans 10:10
    For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
  12. Cross References
    Luke 22:32
    But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.