Matthew 13:34

Friday, 10 October 2025

 

All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, Matthew 13:34

 

“All these, He spoke, Jesus, in parables to the crowds, and besides parable, not He spoke to them” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus told the Parable of the Leaven. Matthew next says, “All these.”

 

The words indicate the parables just given by Matthew. A set of them has been recorded, but no explanation for them is provided to the people. Understanding this, Matthew continues, saying, “He spoke, Jesus, in parables to the crowds.”

 

Matthew confirms that these words were spoken by Jesus, as noted before, it isn’t certain if these were all said at this one time or recorded categorically. The words now seem to tend to the former. However, having explained the parable of the sower between the other parables gives a strong hint that it is actually just the opposite.

 

Either way, the way that Matthew states this verse needs careful attention. In this clause, the verb is in the aorist tense. Jesus spoke to the crowds about these particular parables. He next says, “and besides parable, not He spoke to them.”

 

A new word, chóris, without, is stated. It is derived from chora, a space of territory which, in turn, gives the sense of room. Therefore, chóris means “at a space.” As the word is accompanied by the word “not,” it means that He wasn’t speaking to them any other way.

 

However, the verb is imperfect. Meyer’s NT Commentary further rightly defines it as a relative imperfect. As such, the words do not necessarily mean that Jesus only spoke to the crowds in Israel with parables. But when He was speaking these parables, it was the only way He spoke, meaning that He didn’t speak plainly by explaining the meaning of the parable.

 

The understanding of that is seen in the explanation found in Mark 4 –

 

“And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.” Mark 4:33, 34

 

By looking side-by-side at the two clauses with their precise wording, the sense becomes more evident –

 

*All these (the parables just recorded), He spoke (aorist), Jesus, in parables (plural) to the crowds.
*And besides parable (singular), not He spoke (imperfect) to them

 

He spoke these parables, but He was not explaining any parable that he spoke. Only when He was alone with the disciples would he then explain the parables.

 

It is common for scholars to insist that these words are intended to mean that Jesus spoke only in parables at all times when speaking to the crowds. But Meyer’s challenges that notion, stating –

 

“The absolute sense in which the words are understood by Baumgarten-Crusius and Hilgenfeld is inconsistent with historical facts; nor could Matthew, or Mark 4:34, have intended the words to be so taken without being guilty of the grossest absurdity.”

 

Life application: The discussion above highlights particular nuances of the text that are debated over. Not understanding the precise intent doesn’t mean that someone now has the wrong doctrine. Rather, they may have a misunderstanding of the nuances of what is written. This is evident by reading various translations of the verse.

 

Despite not having the exact sense of what is being said, anyone reading the text can get the major points. There is the understanding that the use of parables when speaking to the crowd was important. Through His words, prophecy was being fulfilled. That is the major point to be understood.

 

As one grows in knowledge and understanding of the nuances, a clearer grasp of the overall intent is realized. This is why some people are plumbers who read the Bible from time to time, and then there are scholars who read and study its every nuance.

 

Unfortunately, some scholars come to the text wanting to tear it apart, find contradictions, demonstrate that they are smarter than the text as given by God, etc. From there, people read their analyses, believe them because these scholars are more understanding of the text than the average Joe, and they believe what they hear.

 

This leads to weak believers who cannot trust the word of God. The deeper you get into the details, the more you should study many scholars and contemplate what you read. Don’t take anything at face value, even if the argument seems convincing at first.

 

Be assured, there is nothing wrong with God’s word. If you come to it with this understanding, you will be in the sweet spot, even if you never find a resolution to the question you are looking for. Someday, the perfection of God’s word will be fully comprehended by us all.

 

Lord God, help us to carefully treat Your word, never diminishing it or trying to find fault with it. If it is Your word, it is just what You intended for us. As You are without fault, we know that what You say will be as well. Help us to carry with us the understanding that Your word is sacred and should be treated as such. Amen.