In this passage, Jesus gives us a clue to the function and therefore the interpretation of his kingdom parables. The crowds have failed to respond to a clear presentation of the gospel, so in an act of judgment Jesus preaches the gospel in riddles.

v10. The disciples don't understand why Jesus speaks in mysteries to the crowd and so ask for an explanation. It is also obvious they don't understand the parables themselves and for this reason Jesus goes on to explain their meaning. The secrets of the kingdom are for those who seek.

v11. The mysteries of the kingdom (Divine truth/s hidden, but now revealed) are for disciples (seekers) and not for those who reject, or ignore God's revelation. So, Jesus speaks in parables to veil the truth, to keep it from those who do not seek. Dodd argues that "the secrets" (Mark, "secret"), or better "the mystery", focuses on realized eschatology. "The kingdom which is to come in apocalyptic power, as foreseen by Daniel, has in fact entered the world in advance, in a hidden form to work within and among men", Ladd. Most commentators tend to opt for "inaugurated" rather than "realized" and so would alter Ladd's quote to "is entering the world."

v12. Jesus warns his disciples that those who search out the mystery find even deeper revelation, but those who ignore it will lose all "he has". There are numerous explanations of what is lost, but it is most likely salvation. A failure to hear and respond to the gospel results in the loss of everything.

v13. Jesus explains that he now speaks in parables (in riddles) because the crowds have failed to respond to his clear presentation of the gosepl. The people are dull of hearing and therefore receive a revelation which is now in the form of riddles. Jesus' kingdom parables serve to condemn those who reject the gospel.

v14-15. The quotation from Isaiah 6:9-10 serves to illustrate v13 by demonstrating a similar pattern of dull hearing by God's people in the past. A spiritually dull people is no new thing. Isaiah's insensitive hearers chose dullness over devotion. They actually resisted God's word in case it drove them into the arms of their merciful God. They shut their ears "so that" they may not hear. Of course, the consequence of such behavior was that they were then given a word from God which they couldn't understand; "through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people."

v16-17. The disciples are blessed (by God) because they have seen and heard what God's faithful children in the past longed to see and hear. The prophets of old waited expectantly for the coming of the messiah and the dawning of the kingdom, but happy are the disciples who have found both in Jesus. For these seekers, these "little ones", the secrets of the kingdom are revealed; the secret of the parable is theirs to know. So, Jesus takes them aside and tells them the meaning of the mysteries he proclaims in public.

The scriptures reveal a pattern of judgment upon those who grow dull in their listening to the Word of God. Those whose ears are dull receive a dull word to make them even duller. It's as if the Lord says, "if you won't hear a clear word, then see what you can do with a confused one."

We are told that after his baptism, Jesus came preaching the gospel - "the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel." Later in his ministry we see him preaching the gospel in the form of mysterious parables about weeds and wheat, mustard seeds, yeast..... Even the disciples were unable to understand the meaning of these strange riddles. The crowds had failed to act on a clear word from God and so now all they got was a clouded word. The kingdom parable is God's judgment upon a people who have failed to receive his word of grace.

The seriousness with which God treats his word impacts upon the way we handle that word in both nurture and evangelism.

Good Biblical preaching is rarely appreciated and for this reason a congregation can grow dull of hearing. Just as we get the politicians we deserve, so we often get the preachers we deserve. When a congregation fails to hear and respond to faithful expository preaching then they are liable to get waffle. Sure, it may be really interesting waffle; topical sermons, "life-changing sermons that relate to people's work and family life", sermon's that scratch where it itches..... the brainstormed ideas of a fruitful imagination. Beware!

In evangelism, the clear communication of the message of God's grace in Christ to the community at large, is what we are about. Having done this, there is no need to rework our strategies or refine our methods. We must proclaim and allow the Lord to bless.

Jesus reminds his disciples how lucky they are to share in God's last-days revelation. We too experience the full counsel of God; we share his mind. Yet, Jesus warned his disciples that those who grow dull in their hearing will end up receiving an unclear word to dull them even further. The same danger faces us, so let us actively listen to his word, praying always for its clear proclamation.

Suggest some practical ways the Lord my give an unclear word to a people whose ears have grown dull of hearing.