A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 13:10

"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?" — Matthew 13:10 (ASV)

Why speakest thou unto them in parables? (δια τ εν παραβολαις λαλεις αυτοις). Already the disciples are puzzled over the meaning of this parable and the reason for giving them to the people. So they "came up" closer to Jesus and asked him. Jesus was used to questions and surpassed all teachers in his replies.