Καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· διὰ τί ἐν παραβολαῖς λαλεῖς αὐτοῖς;
Matthew 13:10 introduces a pivotal dialogue between Jesus and his disciples that opens up one of the richest theological discussions in the Gospels—why Jesus teaches in parables. The Greek grammar is straightforward but loaded with implication, setting the stage for a distinction between spiritual insiders and outsiders.
Grammatical Foundations
Καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ—“And the disciples came and said to him.”
- προσελθόντες—aorist active participle, nominative masculine plural from προσέρχομαι, “having approached” or “having come near.”
- οἱ μαθηταὶ—“the disciples,” the subject of εἶπον.
- εἶπον—aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural from λέγω, “they said.”
- αὐτῷ—dative singular pronoun, “to him,” referring to Jesus.
διὰ τί ἐν παραβολαῖς λαλεῖς αὐτοῖς;—“Why do you speak to them in parables?”
- διὰ τί—an interrogative phrase meaning “why?” or “for what reason?”
- ἐν παραβολαῖς—prepositional phrase; ἐν + dative plural of παραβολή, meaning “in parables.”
- λαλεῖς—present active indicative, 2nd person singular from λαλέω, “you speak.”
- αὐτοῖς—dative plural pronoun, “to them,” referring to the crowd or broader audience.
The structure reveals that the disciples are puzzled by Jesus’ teaching method. The question presupposes a contrast between clarity and mystery, between the spoken word and its veiled form.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
This question functions as a turning point in Matthew 13. The disciples perceive that Jesus’ use of parables is not merely rhetorical—it seems purposeful and selective. Their question leads to Jesus’ explanation that parables reveal truth to those “who have ears to hear” and conceal it from others, a mystery bound up with divine election and human responsibility.
The verb λαλεῖς is significant—used here rather than διδάσκεις. It suggests casual or open speech, and yet here it is indirect and encoded. Jesus is not teaching plainly; he is communicating kingdom truths that require spiritual discernment.
Linguistic and Historical Perspectives
παραβολή in Greek originally referred to placing things side by side, thus a “comparison” or “analogy.” In Jewish teaching, it came to mean a story with a deeper, often hidden, meaning. Jesus used parables both to illustrate truth and to filter listeners—revealing insight to those open to the kingdom and concealing it from the hardened-hearted.
διὰ τί introduces not just curiosity but respectful inquiry. In first-century rabbinic contexts, students often asked clarifying questions as a sign of engagement. The disciples here play that role, drawing out the deeper purpose of Jesus’ methods.
Table: Verbal and Structural Features in Matthew 13:10
| Text | Greek Verb / Phrase | Form | Function / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt 13:10 | προσελθόντες | Aorist active participle, nominative masculine plural | “Having approached”; indicates initiative taken by the disciples |
| Matt 13:10 | εἶπον αὐτῷ | Aorist active indicative + dative pronoun | “They said to him”; introduces the disciples’ question to Jesus |
| Matt 13:10 | διὰ τί… λαλεῖς αὐτοῖς | Interrogative + present active indicative | “Why do you speak to them”; inquiry about method and intent |
The Verse as a Paradigm of Koine Greek Richness
Matthew 13:10 demonstrates how Koine Greek frames profound spiritual inquiry with elegant simplicity. The participle shows respectful approach, the aorist captures the disciples’ engagement, and the present tense of λαλεῖς stresses Jesus’ ongoing method of communication. The disciples’ question invites us to lean in—and to listen not only to parables, but to the reason behind them.
