Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 13:36

"Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field." — Matthew 13:36 (ASV)

The house referred to is the one Jesus left in order to preach to the crowds (13:1) and was probably located in Capernaum. In Matthew’s narrative the house provides the setting both for Jesus’ private explanations (vv.37–43; cf. vv.10– 23) and for the parables aimed at his disciples (vv.44–52). The disciples need explanations (cf. also 15:15–16). They are not distinguished from the crowds by their instant and intuitive understanding but by their persistence in seeking explanations (see comment on vv.10–13).