Matthew 13:34-35 - Exposition

The parallel passage in Mark 4:33 , Mark 4:34 is as follows: "And with many such parables spoke he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it; and without a parable spoke he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things." The same general idea underlies our present verses, but although each evangelist appears to have used the same words as a basis, he has worked them out in his own characteristic way. For while both writers contrast our Lord's treatment of the multitudes and his treatment of the disciples in the matter of parables, St. Mark barely alludes to his using them as a judicial punishment upon the people, and St. Matthew merely hints here at the fact that Christ explained them to his disciples (see further, verse 35 b , note).

It will be noticed that our verses have much in common with the thought of verse 10, sqq. It seems just possible that both paragraphs had one common nucleus from which they were each developed. But according to existing evidence, verse 10, sqq., and the parallel passages in Mark and Luke serve to introduce explanatory matter to the disciples, and our present verses with the parallel in Mark to close a series of parables.