What does Matthew 13:34 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Matthew stressed the importance of parables in Jesus" teaching. This verse is a chiasm in the Greek text with "parables" in the middle. Jesus constantly used parables in His spoken ministry to the multitudes following His rejection (cf. Matthew 13:3 a). [source][source]

[source]

"Jesus deliberately adopted the parabolic method of teaching at a particular stage in His ministry for the purpose of withholding further truth about Himself and the kingdom of heaven from the crowds, who had proved themselves to be deaf to His claims and irresponsive to His demands. Hitherto, He had used parables as illustrations, whose meaning was self-evident from the context in which they were spoken (e.g, vi24-27). From now onwards, when addressing the unbelieving multitude he speaks only in parables (34), which He interprets to His disciples in private." ^[1] [source]

Context Summary

Throughout the Synoptic Gospels-Matthew, Mark, and Luke-a consistent distinction is made between the outer ranks of the people, or disciples, and the inner circle of Apostles. May we not emphasize the same distinction still? We have among us many who are clearly disciples. They cannot as yet formulate or endorse the full creed of the Church, but if they are true to their convictions and follow the gleam, the Master will bring them to the decision of Peter, Matthew 16:16.

This world is God's field. All the good in it has reached it through Jesus Christ. Fundamentally there are but two classes, for the disciple belongs to Christ, though He has not yet come into the perfect light. Notice that the people who cause stumbling are placed with those who do iniquity, and each class is thrown on the rubbish heap. Ponder the despair with which we shall view wasted opportunities, as we look back on them from eternity-weeping for softer natures, and wailing for weaker ones. Let us not trifle away the golden chances of life! [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 13

¹  The parable of the sower and the seed;
¹⁸  the explanation of it
²⁴  The parable of the weeds;
³¹  of the mustard seed;
³³  of the leaven;
³⁶  explanation of the parable of the weeds
⁴⁴  The parable of the hidden treasure;
⁴⁵  of the pearl;
⁴⁷  of the drag net cast into the sea
⁵³  Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country