Matthew 13:11

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Cross-references

Matthew 13:51 confirms the disciples understand, fulfilling the promise that mysteries are given to them.

Matthew 13:36 shows disciples asking for the tares parable's meaning, demonstrating their desire for the mysteries.

Matthew 13:18 begins explaining the sower parable, directly applying the mystery granted to disciples.

In Matthew 16:17, Jesus says Peter's confession was revealed by the Father, not flesh and blood—mirroring the same divine revelation of mysteries here.

Matthew 11:26 Related theme

In Matthew 11:26, Jesus affirms the Father's sovereign will in revealing truth—the same divine prerogative behind the 'given to know' here.

In Matthew 11:25, Jesus thanks the Father for hiding these things from the wise and revealing them to babes—the same divine selective revelation as 'given to you to know' here.

Matthew 3:2 Related theme

Matthew 3:2 proclaims the kingdom of heaven is at hand — the same kingdom whose mysteries are revealed to disciples.

Matthew 4:17 Related theme

Matthew 4:17 announces the kingdom's nearness, which the parables later reveal as mysteries to disciples.

Ephesians 6:19 Related theme

In Ephesians 6:19, Paul asks to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel — another instance of a revealed mystery entrusted to believers.

1 Corinthians 2:14 says the natural man cannot receive spiritual things — matching those 'to whom it has not been given' in Matthew.

Ephesians 5:32 Related theme

In Ephesians 5:32, Paul calls marriage a profound mystery referring to Christ and the church — a specific revealed mystery, echoing the concept.

In Ephesians 3:3-9, Paul describes the mystery of Christ revealed by revelation — directly parallels the giving of kingdom mysteries to disciples.

In Ephesians 1:9, Paul speaks of God making known the mystery of His will — same idea of revealing hidden divine truth to believers.

In 1 Corinthians 4:1, Paul calls himself a steward of the mysteries of God — directly continuing the theme of entrusted secrets from Matthew 13:11.

Acts 16:14 Related theme

In Acts 16:14, the Lord opens Lydia's heart to respond to Paul — directly parallel to the divine giving of understanding that is the theme here.

Romans 16:25 refers to the revelation of the mystery kept secret — the same kind of divine disclosure as the mysteries of the kingdom.

In 1 Corinthians 2:7, Paul echoes that God's hidden wisdom is revealed to believers — same concept of divine mysteries given to the initiated.

1 Corinthians 2:9 Related theme

1 Corinthians 2:9 says human senses cannot perceive God's prepared things — reinforcing that divine mysteries are beyond natural discovery.

1 Corinthians 2:10 states God reveals these things through His Spirit — directly explaining how the mysteries are given.

Luke 8:10 Parallel

Luke 8:10 parallels this saying, adding that others see but do not perceive — reinforcing the distinction between insiders and outsiders.

In Colossians 1:26, the mystery hidden for ages is now revealed to the saints — essentially the same truth Jesus stated in Matthew 13:11.

Mark 4:11 Parallel

Mark 4:11 is the parallel account of this same teaching — nearly identical wording about the secret of the kingdom being given to the disciples.

In Colossians 1:27, the mystery of Christ in you is revealed to saints—paralleling the granted knowledge of kingdom mysteries.

In Isaiah 29:10, God brings deep sleep and seals eyes — explaining why some cannot see, matching the judgment on those outside in Matthew.

Colossians 2:2 Related theme

In Colossians 2:2, Paul speaks of understanding God's mystery, which is Christ—the same mystery the disciples were given to know.

James 1:5 Related theme

James 1:5 promises God gives wisdom generously to those who ask — similar to the gift of knowing mysteries here.

Psalm 25:14 Related theme

Psalm 25:14 says the LORD confides in those who fear Him — directly parallel to the 'mysteries' given to the disciples, a strong thematic link.

1 John 2:27 Allusion

1 John 2:27 speaks of the anointing that teaches believers all things — the Spirit's work of making mysteries known.

2 Timothy 3:7 depicts people always learning but never knowing truth, exactly like those who hear but do not understand.

1 John 5:20 Parallel

1 John 5:20 says the Son gives understanding to know the true God, directly parallel to being given to know kingdom secrets.

John 16:25 Parallel

John 16:25 promises Jesus will speak plainly about the Father, contrasting the veiled parables and revealing secrets.

John 17:8 Parallel

John 17:8 describes Jesus giving the Father's words to the disciples, the same act of imparting divine knowledge.

In Deuteronomy 29:4, the LORD gave Israel no heart to understand—the same divine withholding Jesus references when explaining parables.

John 15:15 Parallel

John 15:15 explicitly states Jesus shared all from the Father with the disciples, matching the gift of mysteries here.

John 3:3 Parallel

John 3:3 connects seeing the kingdom to new birth, paralleling the gift of kingdom mysteries given to the disciples.

Luke 10:21 Parallel

Luke 10:21 echoes the theme: God hides things from the wise and reveals them to babes, matching Matthew 13:11.

Mark 4:26 Parallel

Mark 4:26 offers a parallel parable about the kingdom's growth, illustrating the same mysteries.

Isaiah 29:11 describes a sealed book that cannot be read — directly parallel to mysteries not being given to them.

Proverbs 14:6 contrasts the mocker who finds no wisdom with the discerning who easily receives it — parallels Jesus giving secrets to disciples but not to the hardened.

Proverbs 3:32 says God takes the upright into his confidence — a clear parallel to Jesus giving the kingdom's secrets to his disciples.

Job 17:4 Parallel

In Job 17:4, God hides understanding from Job's friends — directly paralleling Jesus' statement that the secrets are withheld from some.

In Deuteronomy 29:29, secret things belong to God but revealed things are for us—parallel to the granted knowledge of kingdom mysteries.

1 Corinthians 4:7 Related theme

1 Corinthians 4:7 asks 'What do you have that you did not receive?' — extending the principle that all understanding is a gift.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51, Paul reveals a specific mystery of resurrection — a different mystery than the kingdom's but still a revealed secret.

Ephesians 3:4 shows Paul's insight into the mystery of Christ, paralleling the kingdom secrets given to disciples.

Isaiah 8:16 Parallel

In Isaiah 8:16, the testimony is bound and sealed among disciples — echoing how mysteries are given only to some.

James 1:16–18 Related theme

James 1:16-18 says every good gift is from above, including the word of truth — the source of the mysteries given here.