John Calvin Commentary Matthew 13:51

"Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea." — Matthew 13:51 (ASV)

Have you understood all these things? We must keep in mind what we have previously seen, that all the parables of Christ were explained in private. And now the Lord, after having taught them in this kind and familiar way, warns them at the same time, that His object, in taking such great pains to instruct them, was not merely that they might be well informed,²³⁴ but that they might communicate to others what they had received. In this way He sharpens and excites their minds more and more to desire instruction.

He says that teachers are like householders, who are not only careful about their own food, but have a store laid up for the nourishment of others; and who do not live at ease for the present day, but make provision for a future and distant time. The meaning, therefore, is, that the teachers of the Church should be prepared by long study for giving to the people, as from a storehouse,²³⁵ a variety of instruction concerning the word of God, as the situation may require.

Many of the ancient commentators understand by things new and old the Law and the Gospel; but this appears forced to me. I understand it simply to mean a varied and diverse distribution, wisely and properly adapted to the capacity of every individual.

²³⁴ “Qu’ils gardent ceste cognoissance pour eux-mesmes seulement;” — “that they may keep that knowledge for themselves only.”;” — “that they may keep that knowledge for themselves only.”

²³⁵ “Commoe nous voyons que le pere de famille tire de son cellier ou grenier toutes sortes de provisions;” — “as we see that the master of a family draws from his cellar or granary all kinds of provisions.”;” — “as we see that the master of a family draws from his cellar or granary all kinds of provisions.”