MATTHEW 13:34-35
THE USE OF PARABLES
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – Matthew 13:34–35
34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables,
35 to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.”
Introduction
These verses serve as a bridge in Matthew’s Gospel, explaining why Jesus often taught in parables. Through simple stories, Jesus revealed profound divine truths to those open to faith while concealing them from the indifferent or proud. Matthew highlights that Jesus’ use of parables was not merely a teaching method but the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, showing that the Messiah’s words would unveil the hidden mysteries of God’s plan.
Historical and Jewish Context
Parables were a familiar Jewish teaching method used by rabbis to illustrate moral and spiritual truths through everyday experiences. They engaged the listener’s imagination and moral reasoning. By speaking in parables, Jesus connected with the common people, using relatable images from farming, fishing, and domestic life. However, for those resistant to faith, these stories remained veiled. The prophecy Matthew cites comes from Psalm 78:2, traditionally attributed to Asaph, who recounted Israel’s history in poetic parables. Just as Asaph revealed God’s works hidden in Israel’s past, Jesus now reveals God’s hidden plan for salvation through His words and actions.
Catholic Theological Perspective
In Catholic understanding, Jesus’ parables unveil the mystery of the Kingdom of God—a divine reality “hidden from the foundation of the world.” The Incarnation itself is God’s greatest revelation: the eternal Word made flesh to communicate truth in a human way. Parables invite listeners into reflection and conversion, allowing divine truth to penetrate the heart gradually. The faithful, guided by the Holy Spirit, are given understanding, while those hardened by unbelief remain blind to spiritual meaning. This aligns with the Church’s teaching that divine revelation is both accessible and mysterious—grace is required to comprehend it fully.
Parallels in Scripture
Psalm 78:2 – “I will open my mouth in a parable, unfold the puzzling events of the past.”
Matthew 13:10–13 – Jesus explains that He speaks in parables so that those who are open will understand the mysteries of the Kingdom.
Luke 8:10 – “The mysteries of the kingdom of God have been granted to you, but to the rest, they are made known through parables.”
John 16:25 – “I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but will tell you plainly of the Father.”
Key Terms
Parable – A short story using earthly images to convey heavenly truths.
Hidden from the Foundation – Refers to the divine mysteries and God’s plan for salvation, concealed until revealed in Christ.
Prophet – Here referring to Asaph, a seer in the time of King David, whose psalms contained prophetic insight.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This passage underscores how God reveals Himself gradually and how the Word of God unfolds throughout salvation history. In the liturgy, Scripture readings, especially parables, invite believers to discern spiritual truths beneath familiar images. The Church continues Christ’s mission of unveiling divine mysteries through Scripture, sacraments, and preaching. The faithful are thus invited to listen not just with their ears, but with hearts open to transformation.
Conclusion
Matthew 13:34–35 reminds us that Jesus’ parables are not mere moral lessons but revelations of eternal truths. They fulfill God’s ancient promise to unveil what had long been hidden. Through parables, Jesus bridges heaven and earth, drawing the humble into divine wisdom. His teaching fulfills prophecy, showing that God’s plan—concealed through ages—is now revealed in the person of Christ.
Reflection
God’s wisdom often reaches us through simplicity. The stories Jesus told may seem ordinary, but they carry extraordinary meaning. Like the crowd by the sea, we are invited to listen with faith, not curiosity. The more we meditate on His words, the more the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to eternal truth.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You spoke in parables to reveal the mysteries of heaven to those who listen with faith. Open my heart to understand Your Word and recognize the truths hidden in simplicity. Help me to hear Your voice in the ordinary moments of life and to grow in wisdom and faithfulness. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
In Matthew 13:34-35, the evangelist emphasizes Jesus’ intentional use of parables as a means to communicate divine truths. Jesus, through these symbolic stories, reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom of God in ways that engage both the hearts and minds of His listeners. Parables offered a relatable approach, using common experiences such as farming, fishing, and household affairs to convey profound spiritual realities. However, these stories were not only instructive but also veiled, requiring the hearers to ponder deeply and discern the message beneath the surface. This method fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 78:2, as Jesus, the Messiah, spoke in parables to disclose hidden truths about God’s plan of salvation, long kept secret throughout salvation history.
The use of parables also reflected the spiritual climate of Jesus’ time. Many in His audience, particularly the religious elite, were resistant to His teachings, and parables served both as revelation and as a form of judgment. To the humble and receptive, these stories illuminated God’s will; to the proud and indifferent, they remained obscure. This dual purpose aligns with God’s justice and mercy, offering everyone the opportunity to understand while respecting human freedom. Today, the parables continue to challenge believers, encouraging us to approach the Word of God with humility, reflection, and a desire for deeper understanding. They remind us that the mysteries of faith are accessible not by mere intellect but by openness to the Spirit’s guidance.
Matthew 13:34 “All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables.”
In Matthew 13:34-35, Jesus’ use of parables becomes a key element in His teaching ministry. He teaches profound spiritual truths through simple stories drawn from everyday experiences, such as farming and nature. These parables both reveal and conceal the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, inviting reflection from those open to faith. The verse also highlights how Jesus’ teaching style fulfills Old Testament prophecies, such as Psalm 78:2, where hidden truths are disclosed through parables.
One of the parables in this chapter, the Parable of the Mustard Seed, illustrates the growth and impact of the Kingdom of God. It offers insight into how the Kingdom begins in seemingly small ways but grows into something powerful and transformative. This dual teaching of parables – revelation for believers and concealment for the indifferent – reminds us of the importance of spiritual openness when encountering God’s Word.
The Purpose of Parables in Jesus’ Ministry
Matthew 13:34 tells us, “Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing.” Parables, which are simple yet profound stories, were central to Jesus’ teaching. They served as a bridge between human experiences and divine truths, making the Kingdom of Heaven accessible while also challenging listeners to search for deeper meaning.
1. Revelation and Concealment:
Parables reveal spiritual truths to those who approach with faith, while concealing them from those unwilling to listen. As Jesus says in Matthew 13:11, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” This dual function ensures that the truth is available to all, but only those open to it will grasp its depth.
2. Fulfilling Prophecy:
The use of parables also fulfills Old Testament prophecy, specifically Psalm 78:2: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.” Through parables, Jesus reveals God’s hidden plan of salvation, previously shrouded in mystery, to those with ears to hear.
3. Inviting Reflection and Engagement:
By teaching in parables, Jesus invites His listeners to think deeply and engage their hearts and minds. He offers no easy answers, encouraging personal reflection and openness to the Spirit’s guidance. This method respects human freedom, allowing people to respond to God’s invitation at their own pace.
4. Jewish Tradition of Teaching through Parables:
Teaching through parables was a common practice among Jewish rabbis. Jesus follows this tradition but elevates it, using parables not only to teach moral lessons but also to reveal the deeper mysteries of God’s kingdom. His stories resonate with universal human experiences, making divine truths accessible across generations.
Reflection
Jesus’ use of parables in Matthew 13:34 highlights His masterful way of teaching the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Through simple, relatable stories, He bridges the gap between earthly experiences and divine truths. His parables reflect both the accessibility and the mystery of God’s Word, revealing hidden truths to those willing to listen with faith and concealing them from those closed to His message.
Parables serve not just to teach but to invite deeper engagement. They challenge us to reflect and respond personally to God’s call. This approach respects our freedom, allowing each person to embrace the truths of the Kingdom in their own time. Like the Parable of the Mustard Seed, these stories show us how God’s Kingdom often begins small but grows into something transformative.
Jesus’ use of parables also fulfills ancient prophecy (Ps 78:2), revealing God’s hidden wisdom in a way that draws believers into His plan of salvation. Just as He invited His original listeners to reflect and engage, He calls us today to open our hearts to His Word and allow it to take root, trusting that even small beginnings can yield a great harvest.
Let us pray for the openness to hear and understand God’s voice through the parables in our lives, recognizing that the Word of God has the power to transform us when we listen with faith.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing the mysteries of Your Kingdom through the words of Jesus. Help us to receive Your Word with open hearts and to nurture the seeds of faith planted within us. May we grow in Your grace, becoming instruments of Your love and peace in the world. Strengthen us to be faithful members of Your Church, offering refuge and guidance to all who seek You. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Matthew 13:35 “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.’”
Matthew 13:35 draws attention to Jesus’ use of parables as a fulfillment of prophecy, specifically referencing Psalm 78:2. This Old Testament verse highlights how God communicates deep truths through poetic and symbolic language, and Matthew connects this to Jesus’ teaching method. Jesus’ use of parables is not only instructional but also prophetic, revealing divine mysteries and fulfilling God’s eternal plan.
The Parables and Prophecy
1. Fulfillment of Prophecy
Jesus’ teaching in parables reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, as seen in Psalm 78:2. This verse from the psalms describes God speaking in figures and narratives to convey hidden truths to His people. Jesus, in following this pattern, brings to completion the promises embedded in the Old Testament. This reflects the Catholic understanding that the Old and New Testaments are united in God’s plan, with Christ as the key to unlocking their meaning. Jesus is not merely a teacher, but the fulfillment of God’s promises made throughout history.
2. Hidden Wisdom Revealed
The phrase “things hidden since the foundation of the world” refers to divine truths that remained veiled until Jesus’ ministry. These truths relate to the Kingdom of Heaven and God’s salvific plan for humanity. While elements of these mysteries were foreshadowed in the Old Testament, their full meaning is only unveiled through Christ. The Catholic Church teaches that God reveals His plan progressively throughout history, culminating in Jesus’ ministry, passion, and resurrection.
Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 2:7-10, where he explains that God’s wisdom is beyond human comprehension, accessible only through the Spirit. Similarly, Jesus’ parables invite believers into a deeper encounter with divine truth, requiring humility and openness to God’s Spirit for understanding.
Nature and Purpose of Parables
1. Dual Purpose of Parables
The parables are more than simple stories – they serve a dual role in Jesus’ teaching. For those open to God’s Word, they illuminate spiritual truths and offer insights into the mysteries of the Kingdom. However, for those who are resistant, the meaning of the parables remains obscure. As Jesus explains in Matthew 13:14-15, this fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy that some will hear but not understand and see but not perceive. This dual aspect of parables challenges listeners to seek deeper meaning rather than remain at the surface level.
2. Aligning with Jewish Tradition
In Jewish tradition, rabbis often used parables, proverbs, and allegories to provoke reflection and convey wisdom. Jesus adopts this familiar method, but He does so with divine authority. His parables transcend mere moral lessons by unveiling the hidden realities of God’s Kingdom. Through these stories, Jesus invites listeners to see the world from God’s perspective and actively participate in the unfolding of His Kingdom.
The Church’s Role in Continuing Christ’s Mission
The Catholic Church sees itself as the custodian of Christ’s teachings, continuing the mission of revealing God’s mysteries to each generation. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 78), the Church preserves and transmits the fullness of Christ’s teachings in her doctrine, life, and worship. The Church is entrusted with the responsibility of guiding believers in understanding these divine truths through scripture, tradition, and sacramental life.
Application for Today’s Christians
The teaching of Matthew 13:35 reminds us that God’s wisdom is accessible to all who seek Him with humility. Jesus’ parables demonstrate that divine truth requires more than intellectual knowledge; it calls for spiritual openness. In today’s world, believers are challenged to move beyond superficial engagement with God’s Word and to reflect deeply on its message.
In our busy lives, it is easy to overlook God’s presence, just as many in Jesus’ time struggled to understand His message. The parables urge us to slow down, reflect, and discover how God is working in our lives and the world. This passage also invites us to live with joyful expectation, knowing that God’s plan, revealed in Christ, continues to unfold through the Church.
As St. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face.” Through prayer, scripture, and the Church’s teaching, we are called to deepen our understanding of God’s mysteries and live according to His will.
Reflection
Jesus’ use of parables teaches us to seek the deeper meaning behind God’s Word and to approach His teachings with humility and faith. Like the disciples, we are invited to ask Jesus for wisdom and understanding, trusting that He will reveal His truths to us.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You who revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom through parables, open our hearts and minds to understand Your Word. Help us to receive Your teachings with faith and humility, and bear abundant fruit in our lives. Grant us the grace to recognize Your presence in our daily lives, and to live in joyful hope of Your Kingdom. May we, like the scribes trained for the Kingdom of Heaven, bring forth treasures both new and old, sharing Your truth with the world. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUSION
Jesus’ use of parables, as illustrated in Matthew 13:34-35, teaches us that divine truths are accessible to those who listen with open hearts and seek God with humility. These simple yet profound stories invite us into a deeper relationship with God, calling us to reflect, engage, and grow in faith. The parables remind us that God’s Kingdom often begins in small ways but has the power to grow into something transformative when nurtured with faith and grace. In fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, Jesus shows us that God’s plan of salvation unfolds through history and is available to all who seek it.
Today, the parables challenge us to slow down, reflect on God’s Word, and recognize His presence in our daily lives. They invite us to approach Scripture with faith, trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide us in understanding God’s will. Just as Jesus revealed hidden truths to His original listeners, He continues to speak to us today through the Church and Scripture, encouraging us to live according to His teachings. May we respond to this call with faith and allow the Word of God to bear fruit in our lives, becoming instruments of God’s love in the world.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You have revealed the mysteries of Your Kingdom through the words of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to receive His teachings with humility and allow them to transform our hearts. May the seeds of faith You plant within us grow and bear fruit, so we may become living witnesses of Your love and truth. Guide us to recognize Your presence in the ordinary moments of life, and grant us the grace to respond with joy and faith. Strengthen us to share the treasures of Your Kingdom with those around us. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.