Parables, Sower, Mysteries
Matthew 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables: because seeing they see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
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.
By this, I chat to them in analogies. Because watching they don't really watch, and hearing they don't hear nor will they put it together.
We must put together the analogies to get a picture of the realm of the skies.
This verse starts with two untranslated Greek words meaning "by this [cause]," where the cause refers to the rule of "more to more/less to less" of the previous verse, Matthew 13:12. In the Greek, Jesus refers to his teachings very humbly, but the real difference here is in the words translated as "parables" and "understand. "Parables" is just Greek word for "analogies" and "understand" is the Greek for "putting things together."
This verse is a variation of Septuagint Isaiah 6:9. A verse that Jesus quotes in the next verse. Howwever, Jesus puts a key verb "putting together" at the end of this paraphrase to emphasize it. The "putting it together" stands out from the other verbs because it is the only one in the future tense. This future tense is ignored in translation despite its distinctiveness.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "through" or "because of" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "therefore" should be something more like "this."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" is not the common words usually translated as "speak."
- UW - Untranslated Word -- The word "parables" means "analogy." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb is the present tense, but Greek is the future tense.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "through" or "because of" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "is why" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" is not the common words usually translated as "speak."
- UW - Untranslated Word -- The word "parables" means "analogy." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "though" should be something more like "because."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "though" should be something more like "and."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb is the present tense, but Greek is the future tense.
missing "because of" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "through" as in movement through, but it also means "by" the sense of "by means of" a given method. With the accusative used here, it can also be "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."
Therefore - (WW) "Therefore" is from a word that means "from here" or "this/that thing."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
speak -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "pass on" or "relay" information because that captures both someone gossiping and an oracle does. The word is somewhat self-effacing.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
them -- The wo rd translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This form is plural, dative, masculine.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
parables: - (UW) "Parables" is translated from a Greek word, which means "comparison," "illustration," and "analogy." The English word is just a form of the Greek word without translation.
because - In the Greek word translated as "because" that means "that" or "because." So what follows is a dependent clause, indicating either what they were "saying" or why they were saying it. To avoid "run on" sentences in English, it often works better to translate this word as "this is because."
seeing - "Seeing" is from a word that means "to look" and "to see." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding. In this first version, it is in the form of an adjective or noun "looking."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
see - "See" is from a word that means "to look" and "to see." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding. In this second version, it is the active form of the word.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact.
; and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
hearing - "Hearing" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand." In this first version, it is in the form of an adjective or noun "looking."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
hear - "Hearing" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand." In this second version, it is the active form of the word.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact.,
neither - "Neither" is from a Greek negative meaning "but not" and as both parts of "neither...nor."
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
understand. - (WT) "Understand" is from a Greek verb which means "to bring together" or "to set together." It is also a metaphor for "perceive," "hear," and "understand" as we would say that we "put it all together" when figuring something out. It is in the future tense.
missing "because of" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "through" as in movement through, but it also means "by" the sense of "by means of" a given method. With the accusative used here, it can also be "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."
This - -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" or "this/that thing."
is why -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "is why" in the Greek source.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
speak -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "pass on" or "relay" information because that captures both someone gossiping and an oracle does. The word is somewhat self-effacing.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
them -- The wo rd translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This form is plural, dative, masculine.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
parables: - (UW) "Parables" is translated from a Greek word, which means "comparison," "illustration," and "analogy." The English word is just a form of the Greek word without translation.
Though - (WW) In the Greek word translated as "because" that means "that" or "because." So what follows is a dependent clause, indicating either what they were "saying" or why they were saying it. To avoid "run on" sentences in English, it often works better to translate this word as "this is because."
seeing - "Seeing" is from a word that means "to look" and "to see." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding. In this first version, it is in the form of an adjective or noun "looking."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact.
see - "See" is from a word that means "to look" and "to see." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding. In this second version, it is the active form of the word.
; though - -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "though" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
hearing - "Hearing" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand." In this first version, it is in the form of an adjective or noun "looking."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact.
hear - "Hearing" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand." In this second version, it is the active form of the word.
nor - "Nor" is from a Greek negative meaning "but not" and as both parts of "neither...nor."
understand. - (WT) "Understand" is from a Greek verb which means "to bring together" or "to set together." It is also a metaphor for "perceive," "hear," and "understand" as we would say that we "put it all together" when figuring something out. It is in the future tense.
διὰ (prep) "Therefore" is from dia (with touto below)which means "through," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "among," and "between." With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."
τοῦτο (adj sg neut acc) "Therefore" is from touto (with dia above), which means "from here," "from there," "this [thing]," or "that [thing]."
ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with."
παραβολαῖς (noun pl fem dat) "Parable" is parabole, which means "comparison," "illustration," and "analogy." It is most often translated in the NT as "parable" but occasionally as "comparison."
αὐτοῖς (adj pl masc dat) "To them" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
λαλῶ, (verb 1st sg pres ind act or verb 1st sg pres subj act) "Speak I" is from laleo, which means "to talk," "to speak ""to prattle," "to chat," and [for oracles] "to proclaim." It also means "chatter" as the opposite of articulate speech.
ὅτι (adv/conj) "Because" is from hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
βλέποντες (part pl pres act masc nom) "They seeing" is from of blepo, which means "to look," "to see," "to look to," "to look like," "to rely on," "to look longingly," "to propose," "to beware," "to behold," and "to look for."
οὐ (partic) "Not" is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
βλέπουσιν (verb 3rd pl pres ind act) "They seeing" is from of blepo, which means "to look," "to see," "to look to," "to look like," "to rely on," "to look longingly," "to propose," "to beware," "to behold," and "to look for."
καὶ "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἀκούοντες (part pl pres act masc nom) "Hearing" is from akouo, which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand."
οὐκ "Not" is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
ἀκούουσιν (verb 3rd pl pres ind act) "They hear" is from akouo, which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand."
οὐδὲ (partic) "Neither" is from oude , which means "but not," "neither," "nor,"and "not even."
συνίουσιν: (3rd pl fut ind act) "Understand" is syniemi, which means "to bring together" or "to set together." It is also a metaphor for "perceive," "hear," and "understand" as we would say that we "put it all together" when figuring something out.
The word translated as "understand" means "bring together." It is the word that is the verbal root for synagogue.
“But your analogies is meant to help people understand, even the Distinguished, not prevent them,” Flat Nose asked.
The Master nodded his agreement, explaining, “Because of this, I relate for them with analogies.”
“Why can’t some people grasp these ideas?” Brother James asked.
“Because watching they don’t really watch,” said the Master, gesturing to the group of Distinguish, who were watching, “and hearing they don’t hear.”
“Because some cannot accept them,” said Johnny Boy.
“Nor will they put it together,” added the Master.