Matthew 13:10

διατί ἐν παραβολαῖς : Matthew makes the question refer to the method of teaching, Mark and Luke to the meaning of the parables spoken. The two questions were closely connected, and both doubtless in the minds of the disciples. A more serious difficulty arises in connection with Christ's answer to their question, which seems to say that He adopted the parabolic method in order to hide the truths of the kingdom from unspiritual minds. Nothing is more certain than that Jesus neither did nor could adopt any such policy, and if the evangelists ascribed it to Him, then we should have no alternative but to agree with those who, like Holtzmann (H. C.) and Jülicher (Die Gleichnissreden Jesu, pp. 131, 149, vide also his Einleitung in das N. T., p. 228), maintain that the evangelists have mistaken His meaning, reading intention in the light of result. It is much better to impute a mistake to them than an inhuman purpose to Christ.

Matthew 13:11. τὰ μυστήρια : the word, as here used, might suggest the idea of a mysterious esoteric doctrine concerning the Kingdom of God to be taught only to a privileged inner circle. But the term in the N. T. means truths once hidden now revealed, made generally known, and in their own nature perfectly intelligible. So, e.g., in Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26. Jesus desired to make the truths of the kingdom of God known to all; by parables if they could not be understood otherwise. His aim was to enlighten, not to mystify.