Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 13:34

"All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the multitudes; and without a parable spake he nothing unto them:" — Matthew 13:34 (ASV)

The first verb (“spoke”) refers to the specific situation of Jesus speaking parables at that time; the second verb (“did not say”) implies that this was Jesus’ constant custom. This section does not mean that he told nothing but parables; rather, Matthew stresses that parables were an essential part of Jesus’ spoken ministry.