Matthew 13:34
New International Version
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.

New Living Translation
Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.

English Standard Version
All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.

Berean Standard Bible
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.

Berean Literal Bible
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables, and He was not speaking to them without a parable,

King James Bible
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

New King James Version
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,

New American Standard Bible
All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak anything to them without a parable.

NASB 1995
All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable.

NASB 1977
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable,

Legacy Standard Bible
All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He was not speaking to them without a parable

Amplified Bible
All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables, and He said nothing to them without [using] a parable.

Christian Standard Bible
Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables, and he did not tell them anything without a parable,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables, and He would not speak anything to them without a parable,

American Standard Version
All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the multitudes; and without a parable spake he nothing unto them:

Contemporary English Version
Jesus used stories when he spoke to the people. In fact, he did not tell them anything without using stories.

English Revised Version
All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the multitudes; and without a parable spake he nothing unto them:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus used illustrations to tell the crowds all these things. He did not tell them anything without illustrating it with a story.

Good News Translation
Jesus used parables to tell all these things to the crowds; he would not say a thing to them without using a parable.

International Standard Version
Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.

Majority Standard Bible
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.

NET Bible
Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the crowds; he did not speak to them without a parable.

New Heart English Bible
Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the crowds; and without a parable, he did not speak to them,

Webster's Bible Translation
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable he spoke not to them:

Weymouth New Testament
All this Jesus spoke to the people in figurative language, and except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them,

World English Bible
Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
All these things Jesus spoke in allegories to the multitudes, and without an allegory He was not speaking to them,

Berean Literal Bible
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables, and He was not speaking to them without a parable,

Young's Literal Translation
All these things spake Jesus in similes to the multitudes, and without a simile he was not speaking to them,

Smith's Literal Translation
All these things spake Jesus in parables to the crowds; and without a parable spake he not to them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables he did not speak to them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the crowds. And he did not speak to them apart from parables,

New American Bible
All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables,

New Revised Standard Version
Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus spoke all these things to the people in parables; and without parables he did not speak to them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Yeshua spoke all these things in parables to the crowds and without a parable he was not speaking with them.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, and without a parable he did not speak to them;

Godbey New Testament
Jesus spoke all of these things to the multitudes in parables; and without a parable He was not speaking to them:

Haweis New Testament
All these things spake Jesus in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable he spake not to them:

Mace New Testament
All these things spake Jesus to the multitude in parables, and did not discourse to them without some parable.

Weymouth New Testament
All this Jesus spoke to the people in figurative language, and except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them,

Worrell New Testament
All these things Jesus spake to the multitudes in parables; and, without a parable, He was wont to speak nothing to them;

Worsley New Testament
All these things spake Jesus in parables to the multitudes; and at this time He spake nothing to them without a parable:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I will Open My Mouth in Parables
33He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.” 34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. 35So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”…

Cross References
Psalm 78:2
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,

Mark 4:33-34
With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand. / He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.

John 16:25
I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.

Matthew 13:10-11
Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” / He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Matthew 13:13
This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’

Matthew 13:35
So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”

Luke 8:10
He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

John 10:6
Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.

John 12:49
I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it.

John 16:29
His disciples said, “See, now You are speaking plainly and without figures of speech.

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Ezekiel 20:49
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”

Hosea 12:10
I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.

Proverbs 1:6
by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Romans 16:25-26
Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past / but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith—


Treasury of Scripture

All these things spoke Jesus to the multitude in parables; and without a parable spoke he not to them:

Matthew 13:13
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Mark 4:33,34
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it

Jump to Previous
Crowd Crowds Except Figurative Form Indeed Jesus Language Multitude Multitudes Parable Parables Simile Similes Speak Speaking Stories Story Using
Jump to Next
Crowd Crowds Except Figurative Form Indeed Jesus Language Multitude Multitudes Parable Parables Simile Similes Speak Speaking Stories Story Using
Matthew 13
1. The parable of the sower and the seed;
18. the explanation of it.
24. The parable of the weeds;
31. of the mustard seed;
33. of the leaven;
36. explanation of the parable of the weeds.
44. The parable of the hidden treasure;
45. of the pearl;
47. of the drag net cast into the sea.
53. Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.














Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables.
In this passage, Jesus employs parables as a teaching method. Parables are simple, metaphorical stories used to convey deeper spiritual truths. This approach was common in Jewish teaching, allowing listeners to engage with the message on multiple levels. The use of parables fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 78:2, which speaks of opening the mouth in parables to utter hidden things. Jesus' choice to speak in parables also reflects the fulfillment of Isaiah 6:9-10, where the people's spiritual blindness and deafness are highlighted. By using parables, Jesus could reveal truths to those open to understanding while concealing them from those who were not receptive.

He did not tell them anything without using a parable.
This phrase emphasizes the consistent use of parables in Jesus' public ministry. It highlights the distinction between the crowds and His disciples, to whom He explained the meanings privately (Matthew 13:36). This method served to sift the genuine seekers from the merely curious. The parables were a form of divine revelation, requiring spiritual insight to comprehend fully. This approach aligns with the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, where understanding is granted to those who seek it earnestly (Proverbs 2:3-5). Jesus' use of parables also underscores His role as the ultimate teacher, one who reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven to those with ears to hear.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in the New Testament, the Son of God, who uses parables as a teaching method to convey spiritual truths.

2. The Crowds
The large groups of people who followed Jesus, eager to hear His teachings and witness His miracles.

3. Parables
Short, allegorical accounts used by Jesus to illustrate moral or spiritual lessons, often drawn from everyday life.
Teaching Points
The Purpose of Parables
Parables are designed to reveal and conceal truth. They invite listeners to engage deeply and reflect on their meanings.

Spiritual Discernment
Understanding parables requires spiritual insight and a heart open to God's truth. This discernment is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

Engagement with Scripture
Like the crowds, we are called to actively engage with Scripture, seeking to understand the deeper meanings behind Jesus' teachings.

The Role of the Teacher
Jesus exemplifies the role of a teacher who uses relatable accounts to communicate profound truths, encouraging us to find ways to share the Gospel effectively.

Commitment to Learning
Just as Jesus explained parables to His disciples, we should seek deeper understanding through study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.(34) Without a parable spake he not unto them.--The words are, of course, limited by the context to this occasion, but it is noticeable from this time forward that parables are the dominant element in His teaching to the multitude, and that the mysteries of the kingdom are reserved for the more esoteric instruction of the disciples.

Verses 34, 35. - The parallel passage in Mark 4:33, 34 is as follows: "And with many such parables spoke he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it; and without a parable spoke he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things." The same general idea underlies our present verses, but although each evangelist appears to have used the same words as a basis, he has worked them out in his own characteristic way. For while both writers contrast our Lord's treatment of the multitudes and his treatment of the disciples in the matter of parables, St. Mark barely alludes to his using them as a judicial punishment upon the people, and St. Matthew merely hints here at the fact that Christ explained them to his disciples (see further, ver. 35b, note). It will be noticed that our verses have much in common with the thought of ver. 10, sqq. It seems just possible that both paragraphs had one common nucleus from which they were each developed. But according to existing evidence, ver. 10, sqq., and the parallel passages in Mark and Luke serve to introduce explanatory matter to the disciples, and our present verses with the parallel in Mark to close a series of parables. Verse 34 - All these things (ταῦτα πάντα). All seems to imply that the four preceding parables are but a few typical ones taken from a larger collection (cf. Mark, "with many such parables;" also vers. 3, 51). Spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; in parables unto the multitudes (Revised Version); for the order of the Greek is the same as in the next clause. Observe the "parallelism" of the two clauses (contrast Mark). Is it due to the influence of Hebrew Christians? And without a parable spake he not (nothing, Revised Version, ebony) unto them, As happens often in Semitic writers (cf. St. John's Gospel), the thought of the preceding clause is now expressed negatively, and yet a fresh thought is added, namely, that he spake in parables alone. Nothing (Revised Version); i.e. under these circumstances, when large crowds of Galilaeans were listening to him. Spake (ἐλάλει: contrast ἐλάλησεν before); i.e. during this period.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

spoke
ἐλάλησεν (elalēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

all
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

these things
Ταῦτα (Tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

to the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

crowds
ὄχλοις (ochlois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

parables.
παραβολαῖς (parabolais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3850: From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.

He did not tell them anything
ἐλάλει (elalei)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

without using
χωρὶς (chōris)
Preposition
Strong's 5565: Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.

a parable.
παραβολῆς (parabolēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3850: From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.


Links
Matthew 13:34 NIV
Matthew 13:34 NLT
Matthew 13:34 ESV
Matthew 13:34 NASB
Matthew 13:34 KJV

Matthew 13:34 BibleApps.com
Matthew 13:34 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 13:34 Chinese Bible
Matthew 13:34 French Bible
Matthew 13:34 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Matthew 13:34 Jesus spoke all these things in parables (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 13:33
Top of Page
Top of Page