What does Matthew 13:11 mean?

Jesus' disciples, including at least the Twelve (Matthew 10:1–4) and perhaps others, have come to Him about the parables He is teaching the crowds. It is likely this conversation takes place after Jesus has finished teaching the crowds while sitting in the boat on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 13:1–2). The disciples have asked Jesus why He is speaking to the people in parables.

When Jesus uses them, parables often take the form of small stories. These are meant to symbolize larger truths about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus' answer shows how differently He sees the motives of the large crowds that come to hear Him, as compared to His own disciples.

Jesus tells the disciples that it has been given to them to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. It has not been given to those in the crowds, the general population of Israel, at large. Jesus wants His disciples to know that a) He expects them to understand the parables and the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, b) their understanding of those things is a gift to them, not a result of their own effort or wisdom; and c) that others in Israel have not been given the same gift.

What are the secrets of the kingdom of heaven? Jesus' parables were intended to reveal how the kingdom of heaven worked and what it was like. The following verses will describe more specifically what these secrets are that are given to some and kept from others.