Matthew 13:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They asked, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” They did not inquire, "Why do you speak to us in parables?" In several instances, they demonstrate their compassion for all, as seen when they ask, “Let the people go” (Luke 9:12) and question, “Do you weigh this because you are tempted?” (Matthew 15:12).

They did not ask, ‘Why do You teach us in parables?’ and have shown their concern for all on other occasions, such as when they stated, ‘Let the people go (Luke 9:12)’ and when they inquired, ‘Do You know ... that ... have been tempted? (Matthew 15:12).’

The words of Isaiah are realized in them, which declare: ‘You shall hear by hearing, and not understand; and you shall look with your eyes, and not see; for the heart of this people is dull, and they can barely hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes; so that they should not see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn back, that I may heal them’ (Matthew 13:14-15; Isaiah 6:9-10). The moral decay of many leads them to intentionally become deaf to the truth and shut their eyes to the evident miracles, as if they are afraid that doing so might cause them to turn to God and receive salvation. However, Christ does not turn them away; rather, He continues to impart His teachings about the kingdom of heaven, albeit in a symbolic manner, allowing them to seek out the hidden meanings within the parables if they so desire. Those who genuinely wish to comprehend the parables and the teachings of Christ will be granted understanding, which will deepen over time; conversely, those lacking this desire will remain unresponsive to Christ's teachings, regardless of their presentation. The awareness of God that exists in all individuals, irrespective of their spiritual progression, will fade away from them, as it becomes useless in their hearts. Yet, for the Apostles who forsook worldly matters to follow Christ, their faith and earnest desire to adhere to His teachings enabled them to grasp what eludes others who lack faith and willingness. To them was revealed the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven."

When questioned about why He taught the crowds in parables, He clarified that this method was the only effective way to convey His teachings to those who, “seeing see not, and hearing hear not, nor understand.” Drawing on the words of the prophet Isaiah, He noted that “the heart of these people is hardened, and they hear with their ears, and shut their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts.” The Savior intended that these vivid images would remain in the hearts of men so that, when they were more receptive, these symbols might lead them toward a deeper comprehension that was not yet accessible to them. The hidden truths of the kingdom of heaven were revealed only to the chosen disciples, to whom the Savior could also elucidate the external symbols of the parable as messengers of these profound mysteries.

The contemporaries of the Savior were not more enlightened than their forebears; in fact, their resistance was even greater, remaining deaf and blind to the proclamations and miracles of their Messiah. In contrast, the Lord’s disciples did not share this spiritual blindness; their eyes and ears had been opened to recognize the words of eternal life (John 6:68), and they were honored with special acknowledgment compared to the righteous of the Old Testament. “Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, yet did not see it, and to hear what you hear, yet did not hear it.” St. John Chrysostom elaborates that this relates to the manifestation of Christ in the flesh, His miracles, and His teachings.