Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 13:10

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

“The disciples” approached Jesus, apparently in private (cf. Mark 4:10). If this occurred at the end of the discourse, the plural “parables” would be well accounted for. The focus of Jesus’ reply (vv.11–17) is on the fact that the revelation is given to some and not to others and why this is so.