What are the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 13:11?

Matthew 13 marks a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Up to that point, His teachings had been clear and straightforward, but in Matthew 13 He began to teach in parables. Seven of them are recorded in this chapter. His disciples are puzzled by the change of methodology and ask, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10, NKJV). Jesus responds, “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matthew 13:11, NKJV). The phrase mysteries of the kingdom of heaven reveals the progressive nature of divine revelation and our need for it.

Using Colossians 1:26 as a basis, we can define a mystery in the Bible as “[something] that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.” In other words, a mystery is a truth hidden in the Old Testament but revealed in the New. Jesus said He used parables for two reasons: 1) to reveal the truth to those who are receptive to His teaching and 2) to conceal the truth from those who are hardened in unbelief (Matthew 13:10).

The subsequent verses expand on the concept of concealment and revelation. Jesus explains that receptive people will receive more understanding, but those who are not receptive will lose what they have (Matthew 13:12). He then quotes Isaiah 6:9–10 to illustrate His point about spiritual sight and spiritual blindness. In Isaiah’s day, Israel’s heart was hardened against God; the same was true for many in Jesus’ day. Parables either reveal or conceal God’s truth depending on the condition of our hearts. This explains Jesus’ oft-repeated statement, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:9, 43, NKJV).

The Father has granted some people to “know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 13:11, NKJV). In this context, the “mysteries” relate to the kingdom of heaven. This is Matthew’s preferred phrase for God’s sovereign rule—what the other Gospels call the “kingdom of God.” The Jews expected a visible kingdom and a king who would free them from political oppression, but the mysteries revealed by Jesus overturned their expectations. Jesus taught that the kingdom is invisible and spiritual. “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed” (Luke 17:20). According to the parables of Matthew 13, the kingdom grows like a mustard seed, works like leaven, and includes tax collectors, sinners, and Gentiles.

Jesus’ parables unveil new dimensions of God’s redemptive plan that were not revealed in the Old Testament. God’s kingdom had come near (Matthew 10:7; Luke 10:9) in that the King was among them and performing the work of the kingdom. The nearness of God’s kingdom called for a response of faith. Reliance on national identity or external religious observance was useless.

Knowing the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven was a gift to the disciples. Jesus says, “It has been given to you to know.” The kingdom of heaven cannot be known by sheer intellectual ability; it is a matter of God’s grace. God reveals kingdom truths to those who humbly seek Him: “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3, NKJV). However, this gift comes with a responsibility. If we have received understanding, we must respond with faith and obedience, lest we become like the crowd whose “hearts . . . have grown dull” and “ears . . . hard of hearing” (Matthew 13:15; cf. Isaiah 6:10).

Still today, God reveals the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to receptive and humble people. Faith is the only proper response to Jesus’ words. Those who receive His teaching will receive greater understanding, while those who resist Him will remain in darkness.