Once Jesus began to make exclusive use of parables in his teaching, he appears to have continued doing so when speaking to the crowds. Observing the extent of which they were “able” or willing to listen, he would determine when to stop speaking to them. (Matthew 13:34; Mark 4:33) To his disciples, however, he would explain everything they needed to know. (Mark 4:34) According to Matthew 13:35, his use of parables “fulfilled” the words “spoken through the prophet,” which are then quoted, “I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter things hidden from the founding [of the world (according to many manuscripts)].” (See the Notes section for additional comments.)

After Jesus left the crowd and explained the parable of the weed and the wheat privately to his disciples, he related other parables to them. (Matthew 13:36-43)

Notes:

The superscription of Psalm 78 links the composition to Asaph. According to 1 Chronciles 25:2, the Levite musician, a contemporary of David, did prophesying. Therefore, in Matthew 13:35, the quotation from Psalm 78:2 is rightly attributed to a prophet.

The extant Septuagint text of Psalm 78:2(77:2) does not match the Greek of Matthew 13:35. Although starting with the words, “I will open my mouth in parables,” the Septuagint continues, “I will utter riddles from the beginning.” The Masoretic Text reads likewise. “Riddles” or enigmatic sayings could be spoken of as “hidden” or “concealed” things. Considerable mental effort is required to uncover their meaning. The expression “founding” or “founding of the world” denotes “from the beginning” or “from of old.” So, although the words of Matthew 13:35 differ from the Septuagint reading and a more literal rendering of the extant Hebrew text, the meaning being conveyed is basically the same.