Matthew 13:53
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 11
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἐτέλεσεν
had finished
G5055
ἐτέλεσεν
had finished
Strong's:
G5055
Word #:
4 of 11
to end, i.e., complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 11
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραβολὰς
parables
G3850
παραβολὰς
parables
Strong's:
G3850
Word #:
8 of 11
a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage
ταύτας
G3778
ταύτας
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
9 of 11
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
Historical Context
Matthew structures his Gospel around five major teaching blocks (chapters 5-7, 10, 13, 18, 23-25), each concluding with this formula. This parallel's Moses's five books (Pentateuch), presenting Jesus as the new Moses giving authoritative interpretation. The departure marks the end of Jesus's public Galilean ministry's most productive phase, after which opposition intensifies and He begins preparing disciples for His death.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Jesus's structured teaching discourses demonstrate His intentionality in discipling His followers?
- What does Jesus's movement from revelation to rejection teach about the correlation between light given and judgment deserved?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables (Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὰς παραβολὰς ταύτας)—This transitional formula appears five times in Matthew (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1), marking major discourse sections: the Sermon on the Mount, missionary instructions, kingdom parables, church discipline, and the Olivet Discourse. The verb τελέω (teleō) means 'to complete, fulfill, accomplish,' suggesting Jesus systematically completed His teaching agenda.
He departed thence (μετῆρεν ἐκεῖθεν)—The verb μεταίρω indicates purposeful movement to a new location and ministry phase. This departure from Capernaum (where the parables were spoken by the sea, 13:1-2) leads to His rejection at Nazareth (vv. 54-58), marking a turning point. Having fully revealed the kingdom's mysteries, Jesus moves toward His ultimate mission—the cross. Geography in Matthew is always theological.