13:13a
This is why I speak to them in parables: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as This:
(1) It refers to the things that Jesus had already said in 13:11–12. In other words, “The secrets of the kingdom have been revealed to you, my disciples, but not to the crowd. That is the reason why I speak to the crowd in parables.” For example:
This is why I speak to them this way. (God’s Word)
(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)
(2) It refers to the things that Jesus will say in 13:13b–c. In other words, “This/Here is the reason I speak to the crowd in parables: they do not see, hear, or understand.” For example:
The reason I use parables in talking to them is (Good News Translation)
(Berean Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In all other places in Matthew where the Greek phrase translated as This is why occurs, it refers to something that has already been said. It does not refer to something yet to be said.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
That is why I speak to them in parables (Revised English Bible)
-or-
So/Therefore, I speak to them in parables.
13:13b
This verse part begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “because.” It introduces the reason why Jesus spoke to the people in parables. He spoke to them in parables because they did not see, hear, or understand (13:13b–c).
Here are some ways to translate this word:
• Use the word “because” or “for.” For example:
For
• Repeat part of 13:13a. For example:
⌊I speak like this⌋ because
-or-
⌊I speak to them in parables⌋ because
• Leave it untranslated. For example:
aThis is why I speak to them this way. bThey see, but they’re blind. (God’s Word)
Though seeing, they do not see: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as seeing and see are different forms of the same verb. However, they are used in different senses here. The word seeing refers to literally seeing something with the eyes; something like a person, object, or event. The word see refers to figuratively seeing something with the mind. This means understanding the meaning of what is seen. There is a contrast between these two words that the Berean Standard Bible expresses with the word Though. Some versions indicate this contrast with a conjunction like “but.”
Here are some ways to translate this clause:
• Use different verbs for these ideas. For example:
when they look, they cannot see (Contemporary English Version)
• Modify one of the verbs. For example:
They see, but they don’t really see. (New Century Version)
In some languages, it may be necessary to supply objects for the two verbs. For example:
they see ⌊things⌋, but they do not perceive ⌊them⌋
13:13c
In the Greek, a word that is often translated as “and” connects the first half of the saying (13:13b) with the second half of the saying (13:13c). The Berean Standard Bible indicates the connection with a semi-colon at the end of 13:13b. The New Century Version begins a new sentence here and allows the context to imply the connection. Translate this connection in a way that is natural in your language.
though hearing, they do not hear or understand: This clause is parallel to 13:13b. The word hearing refers to literally hearing something with the ears. The word hear refers to figuratively hearing something with the mind. This means understanding the meaning of what is heard.
There is a contrast between these two words that the Berean Standard Bible expresses with the word though. Some versions indicate this contrast with a conjunction like “but.”
Here are some ways to translate this clause:
• Use different verbs for these ideas. For example:
when they listen, they cannot hear (Contemporary English Version)
• Modify one of the verbs. For example:
They hear, but they don’t really hear (New Century Version)
In some languages, it may be necessary to supply objects for the two verbs. For example:
they listen ⌊to things⌋, but they do not hear ⌊them⌋
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