Matius 13:36

Explanation for the Disciples

13:36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

Markus 4:34

4:34 He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.

Markus 7:17

7:17 Now ¹  when Jesus ²  had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable.

Yohanes 16:29

16:29 His disciples said, “Look, now you are speaking plainly ³  and not in obscure figures of speech! ⁴ 

[7:17]  ¹ tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[7:17]  ² tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[16:29]  ³ tn Or “openly.”

[16:29]  ⁴ tn Or “not in parables.” or “not in metaphors.”

[16:29]  sn How is the disciples’ reply to Jesus now you are speaking plainly and not in obscure figures of speech to be understood? Their claim to understand seems a bit impulsive. It is difficult to believe that the disciples have really understood the full implications of Jesus’ words, although it is true that he spoke to them plainly and not figuratively in 16:26-28. The disciples will not fully understand all that Jesus has said to them until after his resurrection, when the Holy Spirit will give them insight and understanding (16:13).