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
The Greek word for "spoke" is "ἐλάλησεν" (elalēsen), which implies a deliberate and purposeful communication. Jesus, as the divine Logos, embodies the Word of God, and His speaking is an act of revelation. In the context of His ministry, every word He uttered was filled with authority and divine insight, intended to convey the truths of the Kingdom of Heaven.

all these things
This phrase refers to the teachings and parables that Jesus had been sharing with the people. The Greek "πάντα ταῦτα" (panta tauta) suggests a comprehensive and inclusive nature of His teachings. Jesus' parables covered a wide range of spiritual truths, from the nature of the Kingdom to the condition of the human heart, reflecting the fullness of His message.

to the crowds
The term "crowds" is translated from the Greek "ὄχλοις" (ochlois), indicating large groups of people from various backgrounds. These were the common people, often marginalized and overlooked by the religious elite. Jesus' choice to address the crowds highlights His mission to reach all of humanity, offering the message of salvation to everyone, regardless of social status.

in parables
The Greek word "παραβολαῖς" (parabolais) refers to accounts or analogies used to illustrate deeper spiritual truths. Parables were a common teaching method in Jewish culture, but Jesus used them uniquely to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. They served both to reveal and conceal, offering insight to those with open hearts while obscuring the truth from those who were spiritually blind.

He did not tell them anything
This phrase underscores the exclusivity of Jesus' teaching method at this point in His ministry. The Greek "οὐδὲν ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς" (ouden elalei autois) emphasizes that Jesus chose parables as His sole means of communication with the crowds. This deliberate choice highlights the importance of seeking understanding and the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating the truths of God.

without using a parable
The phrase "χωρὶς παραβολῆς" (chōris parabolēs) indicates that parables were an essential tool in Jesus' teaching arsenal. This method fulfilled the prophecy found in Psalm 78:2, which speaks of opening the mouth in parables. It also reflects the wisdom of God, who uses simple accounts to convey profound truths, inviting listeners to engage deeply with His message and seek divine understanding.

(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.


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