Mat 13:10-15 | TNotes | STEP | 13:10 From this point on, Jesus rarely taught the general public. Instead, he focused on teaching those who had committed themselves to him (13:1–20:34 ), though he would once again confront Israel (21:1–23:39 ). • The people were the unbelieving opponents mentioned again in 13:11 (“others”) and 13:12 (“those who are not listening”).

13:10 ^a From this point on, Jesus rarely taught the general public. Instead, he focused on teaching those who had committed themselves to him (13:1–20:34 ^b), though he would once again confront Israel (21:1–23:39 ^c).

• The people were the unbelieving opponents mentioned again in 13:11 ^d (“others”) and 13:12 ^e (“those who are not listening”).
Summary for Matt 13:11-15: 13:11-15 ^f Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question (13:10 ^g) was essentially that the people’s stubborn unbelief and rejection of Jesus had brought God’s condemnation. 13:11 ^h You are permitted to understand: God had enabled the disciples to comprehend Jesus’ significance and to respond to his message of the Kingdom in faith and obedience (see 13:19 ⁱ, 23 ^j).

• the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven: Namely, that salvation is available to them in Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises.
13:13 ^k Jesus told parables, and those who believed understood while those who had rejected Jesus found that his parables intensified their unbelief.

• they don’t really see ... listen or understand: They lacked the faith that perceives the truth (13:19 ^l, 23 ^m) and acts upon it (Mark 8:18 ⁿ; John 12:40 ^o; see also Jer 5:21 ^p).
Summary for Matt 13:14-15: 13:14-15 ^q Like that of Isaiah, Jesus’ message has a dual effect: It judges people for unbelief and disobedience, and it creates a remnant of faithful ones who accomplish the Lord’s will (21:43 ^r).