Matthew 13:34

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

All {G3956} these things {G5023} spake {G2980} Jesus {G2424} unto the multitude {G3793} in {G1722} parables {G3850}; and {G2532} without {G5565} a parable {G3850} spake he {G2980} not {G3756} unto them {G846}:

Complete Jewish Bible

All these things Yeshua said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without using a parable.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.

American Standard Version

All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the multitudes; and without a parable spake he nothing unto them:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 13:34 succinctly describes a defining characteristic of Jesus' public ministry, revealing that he consistently employed parables when teaching the general crowds. This verse emphasizes that for the multitude, parables were not merely one method among many, but rather the exclusive means through which he communicated divine truths about the Kingdom of Heaven, setting a distinct pattern for his public instruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 13:34 serves as a concluding summary statement following a significant collection of parables, often termed the "Parables of the Kingdom." The preceding verses (Matthew 13:1-33) detail a series of these illustrative stories, including the Parable of the Sower, the Wheat and Tares, the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven. These parables were delivered to a large multitude gathered by the sea, highlighting Jesus' public teaching methodology. Immediately after this verse, Matthew 13:35 provides a scriptural justification for this teaching method, citing Psalm 78:2. The narrative then shifts in Matthew 13:36-43, where Jesus enters a house and privately explains the Parable of the Tares to his disciples, underscoring a crucial distinction between his public and private instruction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, storytelling and allegorical teaching were common pedagogical tools. Rabbis and wise men often used mashals (Hebrew for parables or proverbs) to convey moral or theological lessons. Jesus, as a Jewish teacher, adopted and perfected this method. The crowds he addressed were largely agrarian, familiar with the imagery of seeds, fields, fishing, and household management, making parables an accessible and relatable form of communication. The setting by the Sea of Galilee, a common gathering place, facilitated large public assemblies, where such oral teaching would have been the primary means of instruction.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **nature of the Kingdom of Heaven**, which is often presented in veiled form through parables, requiring spiritual discernment to grasp its mysteries. Secondly, it underscores the **dual purpose of parables**: to reveal truth to those with receptive hearts and to conceal it from those who are spiritually unresponsive, as Jesus himself explains in [Matthew 13:10-17](/matthew/13-10-17 "Matthew 13:10-17 - The Purpose of Parables"). Thirdly, it emphasizes the **fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy**, as Matthew frequently demonstrates how Jesus' life and ministry align with ancient scriptures, explicitly linking Jesus' use of parables to [Psalm 78:2](/psalms/78-2 "Psalm 78:2 - Prophecy of Parabolic Teaching") in the subsequent verse [Matthew 13:35](/matthew/13-35 "Matthew 13:35 - Fulfillment of Prophecy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spake (Greek, _laléō_):** This verb signifies the act of uttering words, to talk or tell. In the context of Jesus' ministry, it refers to his deliberate and consistent verbal communication. It emphasizes the active, intentional nature of his teaching, not merely a casual conversation but a purposeful delivery of instruction.
* **multitude (Greek, _óchlos_):** Derived from a word meaning "vehicle" or "borne along," this term denotes a throng or crowd of people. It often carries the implication of the common people or the general public, distinguishing them from Jesus' inner circle of disciples. The use of "multitude" here highlights the broad, public nature of Jesus' parabolic teaching.
* **parables (Greek, _parabolḗ_):** Meaning "a similitude" or "comparison," this word describes a symbolic, fictitious narrative drawn from common life, conveying a moral or spiritual truth. It can also refer to an apothegm or adage. The plural form here emphasizes that Jesus consistently used multiple such stories and comparisons.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables":** This clause establishes the primary mode of Jesus' public instruction. "All these things" refers to the preceding teachings and mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus had just delivered. It explicitly states that when addressing the general public ("the multitude"), Jesus communicated solely through the use of parables. This highlights a deliberate pedagogical choice for his wider audience.
* **"and without a parable spake he not unto them":** This second clause functions as an emphatic restatement and reinforcement of the first, using a double negative ("without... not") to underscore the exclusivity of parables for the multitude. It means that Jesus *never* spoke to them without using a parable. This is a crucial detail, indicating a consistent and unvarying approach to his public teaching, distinguishing it from his private instruction to his disciples.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 13:34 employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis** to underscore a critical aspect of Jesus' teaching ministry. The word "parables" (Greek: _parabolē_) is repeated, first stating that Jesus spoke "in parables" and then reiterating "without a parable," effectively framing the entire statement around this specific teaching method. This repetition, combined with the strong negative construction ("without... not"), creates a powerful sense of **Exclusivity**, highlighting that parables were the *only* way Jesus addressed the multitude in this context. The verse also functions as a **Summary Statement**, drawing a conclusion about Jesus' public discourse throughout the preceding parables in Matthew 13.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 13:34 reveals a profound theological truth about divine revelation: God's truth is often presented in a manner that requires spiritual engagement and a receptive heart. Jesus' consistent use of parables for the multitude was not merely a pedagogical preference but a divinely ordained strategy. This method simultaneously invited inquiry from those genuinely seeking understanding while obscuring truth from those who were spiritually dull or resistant. This dual function aligns with the biblical principle that spiritual discernment is granted to those who are humble and open to God's revelation, while those who harden their hearts remain in spiritual darkness. The parables, therefore, served as both a window and a veil, depending on the listener's spiritual condition.

* [Deuteronomy 29:29](/deuteronomy/29-29 "Deuteronomy 29:29 - Secret Things Belong to God")
* [Mark 4:11-12](/mark/4-11-12 "Mark 4:11-12 - The Purpose of Parables in Mark")
* [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual Discernment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 13:34 challenges us to consider our own posture toward spiritual truth. Just as Jesus' parables invited the multitude to ponder and seek deeper meaning, so too does God's Word today call for active engagement rather than passive listening. If Jesus, the master teacher, chose a method that required listeners to "have ears to hear," then we must approach Scripture with humility, prayer, and a sincere desire for understanding, recognizing that some truths are veiled for those unwilling to seek them. This verse encourages us to move beyond superficial reading, to wrestle with difficult passages, and to ask the Holy Spirit for insight, trusting that God reveals His mysteries to those who earnestly pursue Him. It also reminds us that spiritual growth often comes through diligent study and reflection, not just immediate comprehension.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' consistent use of parables challenge my own approach to understanding spiritual truth?**
* **In what ways might I be like the "multitude" who heard parables but did not always grasp their full meaning, and what steps can I take to cultivate a more receptive heart?**
* **What "mysteries of the Kingdom" might I be missing because I am not seeking them diligently or asking for divine revelation?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus speak exclusively in parables to the multitude, but not to his disciples?**

Answer: Jesus' exclusive use of parables for the multitude, as stated in [Matthew 13:34](/matthew/13-34 "Matthew 13:34 - Jesus' Public Teaching Method"), served a dual purpose that distinguished his public teaching from his private instruction to his disciples. For the general public, parables made complex spiritual truths accessible through relatable earthly stories, inviting those with receptive hearts to ponder and seek deeper meaning. However, for those who were spiritually hardened or resistant to his message, the parables also served to obscure the truth, fulfilling prophecy about spiritual blindness (as seen in [Matthew 13:14-15](/matthew/13-14-15 "Matthew 13:14-15 - Fulfillment of Isaiah's Prophecy")). To his disciples, who had committed to following him and were given "to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" ([Matthew 13:11](/matthew/13-11 "Matthew 13:11 - Why Jesus Spoke in Parables")), Jesus provided private explanations and direct teaching, as exemplified in his explanation of the Parable of the Tares in [Matthew 13:36-43](/matthew/13-36-43 "Matthew 13:36-43 - Explanation of the Parable of the Tares")). This differentiated approach highlights that divine revelation is often tailored to the spiritual readiness and commitment of the audience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 13:34, by highlighting Jesus' consistent use of parables, points to Christ as the ultimate revealer and the very embodiment of the "mysteries of the Kingdom." The parables themselves, though earthly stories, were designed to unveil the nature of God's reign and the character of the King. Jesus, as the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), is the supreme Parable, the ultimate illustration of God's truth to humanity. His entire life, death, and resurrection are the climactic "story" that reveals God's redemptive plan. While the parables veiled truth from the unreceptive, Christ's coming removed the veil for those who believe ([2 Corinthians 3:14-16](/2_corinthians/3-14-16 "2 Corinthians 3:14-16 - The Veil Removed in Christ")). He is the one who "opened his mouth in parables" ([Matthew 13:35](/matthew/13-35 "Matthew 13:35 - Prophecy Fulfilled")) to reveal secrets "from the foundation of the world," ultimately unveiling the greatest secret: God's saving grace through His Son ([Ephesians 3:9](/ephesians/3-9 "Ephesians 3:9 - The Mystery Revealed")). Thus, the parables serve as a prelude to the full revelation found in Christ, who is the "wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom of God")) and the one in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 16:25

These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

Mark 4:33

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear [it].

Mark 4:34

But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Matthew 13:13

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.