Matthew 13:3
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
Matthew 13:10
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Matthew 13:11
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Matthew 13:13
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Matthew 13:34
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
Matthew 13:35
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Mark 4:33
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
Mark 4:34
But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Understanding this theme in its biblical setting
A parable places an everyday picture—a farmer sowing seed, a lost coin, a father welcoming a son—next to the kingdom of God. In Matthew 13 and Mark 4, Jesus explains that parables invite hungry listeners to lean in and ask, while exposing indifferent hearts. Rather than treating individual verses as isolated slogans, Scripture invites us to listen to how the Law, the Psalms, the Prophets, the Gospels, and the apostolic letters speak to one another across centuries of lived faith.
Key passages and their context
Matthew 13:3–35 — Context and meaning
Recorded in the four Gospels, this teaching comes directly from the ministry of Jesus—inviting disciples not merely to admire his words, but to practice them in relationship with God and neighbor. You can read the surrounding chapter in Matthew 13 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
Mark 4:33–34 — Context and meaning
Recorded in the four Gospels, this teaching comes directly from the ministry of Jesus—inviting disciples not merely to admire his words, but to practice them in relationship with God and neighbor. You can read the surrounding chapter in Mark 4 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
How to reflect on these passages in daily life
- Read slowly in context: Open the chapter surrounding at least one reference above so you hear the speaker's full argument or prayer before focusing on a single sentence.
- Notice what the text reveals about God: Before asking what you must do, observe how the passage describes God's patience, wisdom, mercy, or faithfulness.
- Carry one question into your day: Keep a single phrase or verse close—whether in a notebook, on your Lock Screen widget, or in evening prayer—and return to it when your attention is scattered.
Continue exploring on Versea
You can continue reading in our Bible verses by topic collection, explore related answers in Questions about the Bible, or study a full passage in Bible lessons.
Questions people ask
01Why should I read the full chapter around these verses on parables?
Every biblical verse was written within a specific letter, psalm, historical narrative, or Gospel conversation. Reading the surrounding chapter shows who is speaking, to whom, and what situation prompted the words, preventing isolated phrases from being misunderstood.
02Which translation does Versea quote on this page?
In English, Versea quotes the public-domain King James Version (KJV) directly from verified chapter sources so that no verse text is ever altered or generated by AI. You can also compare the full book context in the Bible library.
03How can I carry this passage into daily prayer and reflection?
Choose one verse from the list above, read it slowly in the morning and evening, and ask one honest question: what does this text show about God's character, and what small step of trust or kindness does it invite today?