Matthew 13:10
“The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?””
What does Matthew 13:10 mean?
The disciples are puzzled because Jesus has just told several stories (the parable of the sower, the lamp, the mustard seed) to a crowd, and they want to understand his teaching method. Jesus often spoke in parables, which are memorable stories with deeper spiritual meanings, and the disciples are asking why he doesn't just explain things directly to everyone. This question opens the door for Jesus to explain that parables work like a kind of spiritual filter: those who are genuinely seeking truth will think deeply about the stories and discover their meaning, while those who aren't ready to listen will just hear interesting tales. It's actually a compassionate approach, because it meets people where they are while inviting them to dig deeper if they're willing.