Matthew 13:35 · Bible study
Matthew 13:35 Commentary: Parables and Hidden Mysteries
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus' parabolic teaching fulfills Psalm 78:2. This study examines how parables unveil truths hidden since creation.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Matthew presents Jesus' parabolic teaching as the fulfillment of Psalm 78:2, revealing mysteries hidden since creation.
- Key words: plērōthē (fulfilled), parabolais (parables), ereuxomai (utter forcefully), kekrummena (hidden), apo katabolēs kosmou (from the foundation of the world).
- Main debate: Whether the "fulfillment" is a direct prediction of Jesus or a pattern of divine revelation seen in both Asaph and Christ.
- Theological theme: Revelation of God's eternal plan through the person and teaching of Jesus.
- Best use: To understand why Jesus taught in parables and to appreciate the depth of Scripture as a unified revelation.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
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.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”
KJV King James Version 1769
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
that it might be fulfilled that was spoken through the prophet, saying, `I will open in similes my mouth, I will utter things having been hidden from the foundation of the world.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
so that that should be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from [the] world's foundation.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Para que se cumpliese lo que fué dicho por el profeta, que dijo: Abriré en parábolas mi boca; rebosaré cosas escondidas desde la fundación del mundo.
para que se cumprisse o que foi falado pelo profeta, que disse: Abrirei a minha boca em parábolas; Pronunciarei coisas escondidas desde a fundação.
afin que s’ accomplît ce qui avait été annoncé par le prophète:
auf das erfüllet würde, was gesagt ist durch den Propheten, der da spricht: Ich will meinen Mund auftun in Gleichnissen und will aussprechen die Heimlichkeiten von Anfang der Welt.
Opdat vervuld zou worden, wat gesproken is door den profeet, zeggende: Ik zal Mijn mond opendoen door gelijkenissen; Ik zal voortbrengen dingen, die verborgen waren van de grondlegging der wereld.
affinché si adempisse quel ch’era stato detto per mezzo del profeta: Aprirò in parabole la mia bocca; esporrò cose occulte fin dalla fondazione del mondo.
Aby się wypełniło, co powiedziano przez proroka mówiącego: Otworzę w podobieństwach usta moje, wypowiem skryte rzeczy od założenia świata.
да сбудется реченное через пророка, который говорит: отверзу в притчах уста Мои; изреку сокровенное от создания мира.
這是 要應驗 先知 的話，說：我 要開 口 用 比喻，把創 世 以來 所隱藏 的事發明出來。
That it might come true which was said by the prophet, Opening my mouth, I will give out stories; I will give knowledge of things kept secret from before all time.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 13:35
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Matthew cites Psalm 78:2 to explain Jesus' use of parables, but they understand the nature of this "fulfillment" differently. Calvin states that Matthew "does not mean, that the psalm, which he quotes, is a prediction which relates peculiarly to Christ," but rather that the same divine power and mystery seen in the prophet Asaph is displayed in Christ's teaching. Gill calls Asaph "a prophet" and sees the parables as carrying typical and prefigurative meaning hidden in the Old Testament, now brought to light by Jesus. Barnes notes that "the sense, and not the very words of the Psalm, are given," indicating a correspondence in method more than a prediction. Vincent's Word Studies highlights the Greek verb ereuxomai ("I will utter"), which originally meant "to belch, to disgorge," and carries a sense of impassioned, prophetic speech. All agree that the phrase "things hidden from the foundation of the world" points to eternal divine mysteries now being revealed through Jesus' parables.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Matthew presents Jesus' use of parables as the fulfillment of Psalm 78:2, meaning that in Jesus the hidden purposes of God—foreshadowed in Israel's history and described in ancient dark sayings—are now openly proclaimed.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of the prophet | All consulted commentators agree the prophet is Asaph, a seer in the time of David and writer of Psalm 78. | Some ancient manuscripts read 'Isaiah' instead of 'the prophet.' Jerome and most scholars treat this as a scribal error, since Asaph is explicitly called a prophet in 1 Chronicles 25:2. |
| Nature of fulfillment | The quotation is not a verbatim prediction of Christ; it is a correspondence in form and content. | Calvin argues it is not a prophecy at all but a parallel work of the same Spirit. Gill and Poole see it as a typological fulfillment where Old Testament 'dark sayings' prefigure Christ's parables. |
| Content of 'hidden things' | The hidden things are divine mysteries, God's redemptive plan hidden from human understanding. | Some (Calvin, Barnes) focus on the immediate mysteries of the Kingdom taught by Jesus. Others (Gill, Vincent) emphasize that these mysteries were foreshadowed in Old Testament types and shadows, now brought to light. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse sits at a turning point in Matthew 13. Jesus has spoken a series of parables to the crowd, the sower, the wheat and tares, the mustard seed, the leaven, and verse 34 summarizes that "without a parable, he didn't speak to them." Verse 35 provides the scriptural warrant: Jesus' method fulfills the pattern set by the psalmist Asaph, a prophet and seer (1 Chronicles 25:2). Asaph's Psalm 78 is a long historical review of Israel from Exodus to David, but he himself calls it a parable and dark sayings. The Hebrew words mashal (parable) and chidah (riddle, dark saying) show that the history contained deeper meaning. Matthew quotes the psalm from the Hebrew rather than the Septuagint, a direct translation that emphasizes the revelatory purpose.
In Jewish tradition, rabbis often used parables to illustrate moral and theological points, but Jesus goes further. His parables both reveal and conceal: they open truth to those with ears to hear while veiling it from those who reject him (Matthew 13:14, 15). The phrase "hidden from the foundation of the world" echoes Old Testament passages like Isaiah 42:9 ("I declare new things") and Amos 3:7 ("the Lord will do nothing unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets"). It also looks ahead to Matthew 25:34, where the Kingdom is "prepared for you from the foundation of the world." The parables, then, are not just illustrations. They are the delivery system for secrets long held in God's plan, now released in the teaching of Christ.
Textual Notes
The primary textual issue is the name of the prophet. Some Greek manuscripts read Ēsaiou (Isaiah), but the overwhelming majority support the prophet, understood as Asaph. Jerome, cited by Adam Clarke, reports that early scribes, unfamiliar with Asaph, substituted the better-known name. Internal evidence confirms Asaph: Psalm 78 is attributed to him, and he is called a prophet in 1 Chronicles 25:2. No other significant variants affect this verse.
Reception History
Early Christian writers saw this verse as confirming that Jesus fulfilled the prophetic tradition. The allegorical method of Origen and others found support in the idea that Scripture contains hidden meanings now unveiled by Christ. In the Reformation, Calvin used this passage to argue for the unity of God's revelation, the same Spirit speaking through Asaph and Jesus. Later evangelical interpreters, such as Matthew Henry and John Gill, emphasized the typical and prefigurative dimension of Old Testament history. Modern scholarship, represented by Vincent and the Cambridge Bible, focuses on the verbal echoes and the way Matthew adapts the Hebrew text. The verse continues to be used to affirm that Jesus is the supreme revealer of God's eternal plan.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Jesus fulfills prophetic patterns. Matthew does not claim Asaph predicted Jesus, but that the same Spirit who spoke through Asaph in dark sayings now speaks with final clarity through Christ.
- Parables reveal hidden truths. The Greek verb ereuxomai conveys an impassioned, forceful utterance. Jesus does not teach trivialities; he disgorges mysteries kept since creation.
- God's eternal plan is now open. What was foreshadowed in Israel's history and whispered by the prophets is now spoken plainly in parables for those who will hear.
Five-point outline
- The purpose of parables, to fulfill Scripture and to sort between those who receive and those who reject.
- The pattern of prophecy, Asaph the prophet used Israel's history as a parable; Jesus uses everyday scenes as parables.
- The nature of hidden things, not secret doctrines, but the shape of God's redemptive plan from before creation.
- The response required, hearing with faith, like the disciples who ask for explanation (Matthew 13:36).
- The culmination in Christ, Jesus is the ultimate revealer; in him the dark sayings become light.
Illustration hooks
- A safe deposit box that has been in a family for generations, but the combination was lost, until a grandchild finds the key. The parables are that key, unlocking treasures that were always there.
- A mystery novel where the final chapter explains all the clues planted early. Jesus' parables do the same for the Old Testament: they make the hints and foreshadows clear.
- A teacher who uses simple stories so that a child understands a deep truth, while the smug adult misses it entirely. Parables humble the proud and lift the humble.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why didn't Jesus just speak plainly? Was he trying to hide truth?
- What are these hidden things, and how can I understand them today?
- If parables are from before the foundation of the world, does that mean everything in my Bible is mysteriously connected to Christ?
Leading a Discussion
Matthew 13:35 connects Jesus' familiar teaching method to an ancient psalm. This verse invites us to see parables not as simple illustrations but as deliberate acts of revelation, unlocking truths that have been hidden since creation. In your group, consider how Jesus' way of teaching both concealed and uncovered the plan of God.
Discussion questions
- Read Psalm 78:2. What does Asaph mean by "dark sayings of old"? How does his psalm use history as a parable?
- Matthew says Jesus' parables "fulfill" this Psalm. In what sense is Jesus continuing Asaph's method? In what sense is he doing something new?
- The Greek word ereuxomai is a strong verb, suggesting a forceful utterance. Why do you think the gospel writer chose this word to describe Jesus' teaching?
- What does "things hidden from the foundation of the world" include? Consider passages like Matthew 25:34 and Isaiah 42:9.
- Why did Jesus explain the parables privately to his disciples (Matthew 13:36) but not to the crowds? What does that tell you about how God reveals truth?
- How might this verse change the way you read the parables? Are you expecting to see hidden mysteries, or only practical life lessons?
- In your own life, what helps you hear the hidden meaning behind Scripture, community, prayer, study? How can your group encourage each other to hear deeply?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 49:4 | I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will solve my riddle on the harp. |
| Psalms 78:2 | I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old, |
| Isaiah 42:9 | Behold, the former things have happened and I declare new things. I tell you about them before they come up.” |
| Amos 3:7 | Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets. |
| Matthew 13:14 | In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive; |
| Matthew 21:4 | All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, |
| Matthew 21:5 | “Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” |
| Matthew 25:34 | Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that Matthew quotes Psalm 78, attributed to Asaph, whom 1 Chronicles 25 confirms as a prophet. He views the reading "Isaiah" in some manuscripts as a scribal error: copyists unfamiliar with Asaph replaced his name with the more famous prophet.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that the fulfillment here is not a word-for-word prediction but a correspondence in the method of teaching. Christ taught in parables just as Asaph did in the psalm. For Barnes, the prophecy is fulfilled in the manner and sense of the instruction, not in the precise wording.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin argues that Matthew's quotation of Psalm 78 is not a direct prophecy about Christ but an analogy of style. Christ spoke in parables and dark sayings to show he was handling weighty, divine mysteries. This elevated manner gave his teaching authority and made listeners sense something heavenly in it.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that the New Testament quotation of this verse comes directly from the Hebrew text, not the Septuagint. Because Psalm 78 recounts Israel's history from the Exodus to David, the words "parables" and "dark sayings" are used in a broad sense to include historical narratives that convey hidden lessons about God's ways.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes point out that Christ's use of parables fulfills a specific prophecy. This prophecy says parables are not meant to hide truth but to openly declare mysteries that have been concealed since the world's foundation.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill identifies the prophet quoted here as Asaph, not Isaiah, and defends calling him a prophet because he prophesied with music. He argues that the psalm, though historical, contains parables and hidden sayings that typify Gospel mysteries. By divine inspiration Asaph delivered these, just as Christ later used parables to reveal truths kept secret from the world's beginning.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the psalmist calls his own historical summary a parable and dark sayings, meaning the events themselves carry deeper truths for all ages that were not fully understood until the Gospel revealed them.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that Jesus spoke in parables not simply to make teaching easier, but as a deliberate act combining judgment and mercy. For him, this method both concealed truth from hardened hearts and mercifully prevented them from further condemning themselves by clear rejection.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent draws attention to the Greek word for "utter," which originally meant to belch or disgorge, conveying a forceful, impassioned prophetic speech like an eruption. He also sees in the phrase "from the foundation" a hidden, prefigurative meaning in God's ancient dealings, an Old Testament parable that culminates in Jesus' parabolic teaching.