Matthew 13:10 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 13:10 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?”

Then the disciples came and said to him: why do you speak to them in parables? The disciples' question about the parabolic method reveals their awareness that the parables are not universally transparent: they have a meaning that is not immediately obvious. The why communicates genuine puzzlement — if the goal is to communicate the kingdom's message, why use a form that requires explanation?

Church Fathers on Matthew 13:10

The disciples understanding that the things which were spoken by the Lord to the people were obscure, desired to hint to Him that He should not speak in parables to them. 'And his disciples came to him, and said, Why speakest thou to them in parables?'
Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · ap. Anselm

Wherein it is worthy admiration, that the disciples who desire to learn of Him, know when they ought to ask Him, for they do not this before the multitude. This Matthew declares, when he says, 'And they came to him;' and Mark more expressly says, that 'they came to him when he was alone.' [Mark 4:10]
Chrysostom · 4th century · Hom. xiv

We must enquire how they could come to Him at that time when Jesus was sitting in the ship; we may understand that they had at the first entered into the ship, and standing there, made this enquiry of Him.
Jerome · 4th century

Read all 29 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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