Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:51

What does Matthew 13:51 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:51 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:51 means

Jesus asks if they have understood all these things, and the disciples answer ‘Yea.’ The question tests comprehension and invites confession of grasping the parables’ teachings. Their affirmative reply indicates they believe they have understood the essentials: the kingdom’s nature, value, growth, the present mixture of good and evil, and future judgment. It also sets up Jesus’ concluding practical admonition about teaching and stewardship of truth for scribes become disciples.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Are all these things now clear to you? They say to him, Yes.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Jesus saith to them, `Did ye understand all these?' They say to him, `Yes, sir.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Jesus says to them, Have ye understood all these things? They say to him, Yea, [Lord].

Context

This verse follows the series of parables and their eschatological conclusions. It creates a pedagogical pause: having taught, Jesus checks the disciples’ understanding. The affirmative response leads into an instruction about the role of a disciple-scribe who handles kingdom truths responsibly.

v.50and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

v.51This passage

v.52And he said unto them, Therefore every scribe who hath been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 7:18

    And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without goeth into the man, it cannot defile him;

  • Matthew 16:11

    How is it that ye do not perceive that I spake not to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

  • Matthew 24:15

    When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand),

  • 1 John 5:20

    And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

  • Acts 8:30

    And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

  • Matthew 13:19

    When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side.

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