Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 13:1

"On that day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side." — Matthew 13:1 (ASV)

Matthew links the discourse on parables to the preceding controversies (either 12:38–50 or 12:22–37) and ends it with a formulaic conclusion (13:53), which implies that all these parables were given on this occasion. Jesus “sat by the lake,” taking the normal position of a teacher . During his ministry his chosen role was that of a teacher who taught others about the kingdom so that they might teach others (see comments on vv.51–52).