Matthew 13:34-35 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Manner of Teaching Foretold

Matthew 13:34-35 – A Manner of Teaching Foretold

|| Mark 4:33, 34

MT13:34 All these matters Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke nothing to them without a parable. MT13:35 This was so that what was spoken by the prophet[1] might be fulfilled: “I shall open my mouth in parables. I shall utter things hidden[2] from [the] founding.”[3] [Psalm 78:2]

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[1] Spoken by the prophet: The quotation is from Psalm 78:2. This was a psalm by Asaph and speaks of the lessons of Israelite history. Here Matthew uses the word “prophet” in its wider meaning. Probably unknown to himself this verse by Asaph turned out to be prophetic.

[2] Things hidden: The Greek is KE-KRYMMENA. Or, KJV: kept secret; RHM: things hidden; WMS: truths concealed. Compare Ephesians 3:9; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 2:7.

[3] Founding: The Greek is KATA(=down)-BOLES(=seed) and refers to casting down seed or sperm. Others render this: RHM: the foundation; KNX: beginning of the world; WMS: since creation. The reference could be limited to the beginning of Israel’s history to be consistent with the psalm’s subject. The word is consistently rendered “foundation” in the KJV. Jesus’ translators uses it again at Matthew 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24. Paul uses it at Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 4:8; 9:26; 11:11. Peter at 1 Peter 1:20. It occurs twice in Revelation (Revelation 13:8; 17:8).

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Preceding

Matthew 13 – Parables on Kingdom mysteries

Matthew 13:1-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable: the Soil and the Seed

Matthew 13:10-15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Why Speak in Parables?

Matthew 13:16-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Happy Eyes and Ears

Matthew 13:18-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Seed and Soil

Matthew 13:24-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Field and the Harvest

Matthew 13:31-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:33 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Fermented Whole

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Related

1. Bible Study Notes on Matthew 13:24-58 – 20180112
2. Myth or Real?
3. Message July 30
4. From mystery to Truth