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Explanation for:
Matthew
13
:
11
Who answered and said to them: Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: but to them it is not given.
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"One might wonder about the manner in which His followers approached Him while He was on the boat. However, it can be inferred from the text that they had already descended from the vessel and were standing nearby, seeking clarity on the parable."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What does Christ say in response? He tells them that it is granted to you to comprehend the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not granted. He makes this statement not to suggest a necessity or a random choice among some, but rather to highlight that those who listen are the root of all afflictions, while simultaneously aiming to reveal that the insight into the mysteries of the kingdom is a grace given from on high. Although this understanding is indeed a gift, it does not undermine free will, as is clear from the subsequent words."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"To understand the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, it becomes evident that many may interpret His words as a way to excuse their own negligence, suggesting, \\"It is not my responsibility that I lack knowledge of what God has not revealed.\\" Such individuals express this without remorse, for their understanding of God is shallow; they merely desire forgiveness for their transgressions. The prophet remarks on people like this: \\"Do not let my heart be inclined to the words of the wicked to excuse the works of sin along with men who do iniquity\\" (Psalm 141:4). \\n\\nTo clarify further, all wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit and is a divine gift. There are two types of gifts: one that God grants universally to all creation, and another bestowed only upon the worthy, exceptional, and chosen ones. Notice how He declares, \\"To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.\\" He did not imply that this knowledge belongs to an individual merely because they possess an awareness of good and evil. \\n\\nConsequently, if someone lacks the gift of discerning good and evil, it is not the individual's shortcoming, but rather God's decision not to impart that gift. While all humanity may acknowledge good and evil, not everyone receives the gift of understanding the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. This shortcoming lies not with God, who withholds this insight, but with humanity, which often fails to seek, strive for, or work diligently to obtain it. If you had faithfully utilized the general knowledge of good and evil—if you had engaged with it properly—you would rightly deserve the special understanding of the mysteries. However, if you have buried this inherent knowledge, which comes from natural necessity, how can you expect to be rewarded with the deeper insights that are granted solely through goodwill and effort?"},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He proclaims, ‘To you it is given to know the mysteries,’ which means that because you possess the desire and effort, it is entrusted to you; however, to those who lack such commitment, it is not revealed to them."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He responded by saying to them that the understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you. 'To you' refers to those who truly observe and hear, and thus have faith; \\"mysteries\\" signifies the concealed truths of the kingdom of heaven, or the Sovereign of heaven; \\"it is given\\" comes from God. This understanding is not bestowed upon those who observe and hear with insincerity, leading them away from belief. He refers to those who are unchangeable. What is the benefit of knowledge without faith? It echoes His earlier words: 'I thank You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have concealed these things from the wise and discerning, and have revealed them to infants' (Matthew 11:25)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"This reflects the desire of Jesus Christ: He told them in reply, \\"For you, My Apostles, who are attuned to My teachings concerning the Kingdom of God, it is granted by the Father, through the illumination of your understanding, to grasp, albeit imperfectly for now, the secrets of this Kingdom of Heaven—mysteries that are partly beyond human comprehension and partly concealed from those who are not initiated. To all those who carelessly listen to My words—particularly the scribes and Pharisees—these secrets remain beyond their reach; for them, such mysteries are intentionally veiled in parables. Understanding divine truths is a blessing and grace bestowed from above, yet it also requires human participation. Anyone desiring to comprehend spiritual realities must be willing to open their heart; without this openness, the mind cannot grasp these truths, just as the blind cannot appreciate the beauty of flowers or the deaf cannot enjoy the joy of music. God provides everyone the innate ability to discern what is right. He enlightens every person entering the world (John 1:9), but we cloud our understanding through our own choices."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"For this reason, I convey to the people through parables, “that it is given unto you to know the mysteries,” among other things. This knowledge is bestowed by God, enlightening their minds to comprehend these truths. Though their understanding remains imperfect until the arrival of the Holy Spirit, they are invited to grasp the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven—truths related to the Messiah’s reign that remain hidden from others. In Scripture, mysteries sometimes refer to truths that are utterly beyond human comprehension, while at other times they can be understood, although not by everyone (Romans 11:25, Ephesians 3:3-9). Such mysteries include the spread of the Gospel worldwide and the suffering of the Messiah. The Lord’s disciples were granted insight into the kingdom of heaven and the essential truths necessary for their future role as proclaimers of the Gospel. However, the others at that time had not received this understanding; their lack of insight was not due to God withholding these mysteries from them, as is clear from the subsequent verses. Their perceptions of the Messiah’s kingdom were overly simplistic, preventing them from grasping the truth without the veil of parable."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"After Jesus completed His parables, the disciples approached Him with the question, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ Jesus replied, ‘I communicate in this manner because they possess the ability to see, yet do not see, and the capability to hear, yet do not hear or understand. Though they are not physically blind or deaf, their understanding is corrupted by the false teachings of their leaders, such as the scribes and Pharisees. They have nearly lost the ability to comprehend the signs they witness and the teachings they receive. The words of Isaiah are fulfilled in them, which proclaim: ‘You shall hear by hearing, and not understand; and you shall look with your eyes, and not see; for the heart of these people is hardened, and they can hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn back, that I may heal them’ (Matthew 13:14-15; Isaiah 6:9-10). The depravity of many among them is so profound that they deliberately choose to turn a deaf ear to the truth and shut their eyes to the miraculous signs around them, as if afraid that acknowledging them would lead them to turn to God for salvation. Nevertheless, Christ does not reject them; rather, He teaches them about the kingdom of heaven through allegory, allowing them the opportunity to uncover the deeper meanings of the parables if they so desire. Those who genuinely seek to grasp the significance of these teachings will be granted understanding that will grow within them, while those lacking such a desire will remain imperceptive to Christ’s teachings, regardless of their presentation; even the knowledge of God inherent in all people, regardless of their spiritual maturity, will become irrelevant to them and fade away, as if it were taken from them. However, for the Apostles, who left all worldly pursuits to follow Christ and thereby embraced faith in Him with a true yearning to adhere to His teachings, understanding was bestowed upon them. They became capable of perceiving what others could not, for their hearts were open whereas others, lacking faith and desire, hear without hearing and see without understanding. To them, the secrets of the kingdom of heaven were revealed."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Despite its remarkable simplicity and clarity, even the disciples struggled to grasp its significance. Upon the Saviour's return to the residence of the apostle Peter in Capernaum, they eagerly sought clarification. This request indicated that the parable had left a profound impact on them and stirred a thought that craved understanding. The Saviour did not hesitate to provide the apostles, who were to be the future leaders of His mission, with a comprehensive interpretation of the parable. When questioned about His use of parables in teaching the crowds, the Saviour explained that this approach was the only effective means by which He could convey His message, as many were unable to see or hear, failing to comprehend. He referred to the prophet Isaiah, stating that \\"the heart of these people is hardened, and they hear with their ears, and shut their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts.\\" He hoped that these vivid images would be etched in their memories, so that when the time was right, they may inspire a deeper understanding of their true meaning, which they were not yet ready to grasp. It is only to the selected disciples that it is granted \\"to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,\\" and as the proclaimers of these mysteries, the Saviour could also elucidate the outward symbols of the parable."}]}
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