Jesus fulfills not only the law and the prophets, but also the calling of the prophets, who were sent to unveil the mysteries of God—his will and redemptive plan—for the people (see Matthew 11:25–27). Jesus plays this role, at least in part, by speaking and teaching in parables. The prophetic word fulfilled here concerns both the form and content of the parables. That is why the quotation from Psalm 78:1–72 in Matthew 13:34–35 is different from the one Jesus used from Isaiah in Matthew 13:14–15, which shows why the people are instructed in a particular form. But Matthew, by citing Psalm 78:1–72, shows that the parables unveil specific content: the hidden mysteries of God. Think here of the context of the history of Israel. Israel itself existed for the sake of Christ, and so within Israel lay the mysteries of the kingdom (Matthew 13:11)—the kingdom of Christ. The old covenant did not reveal these mysteries, but these parables now reveal those mysteries—in the new covenant—the covenant of fulfillment. What Psalm 78 once revealed only in dark sayings
is now fully present, for one greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12:42). Matthew 13:34–35 stresses the fact that Jesus, in conducting his ministry, does so in accordance with Scripture.
Jesus does not only fulfill the law and the prophets; he also fulfills the very calling of the prophets. The prophets were sent to unveil the mysteries of God—his will and his redemptive plan—for the people (see Matthew 11:25–27). Jesus steps into this role, at least in part, by speaking and teaching in parables.1
The prophetic word that is fulfilled here concerns the parables in their entirety—both form and content. It would be a mistake to reduce the significance merely to their form. That is why the quotation from Psalm 78:1–72 in Matthew 13:34–35 is not identical to the one Jesus himself used from Isaiah in Matthew 13:14–15. With Isaiah’s words, Jesus explained why the people would now receive instruction in a particular form. But Matthew, by citing Psalm 78:1–72, shows that through these very parables the hidden mysteries of God are being unveiled .2
When Matthew 13:35 speaks of that which God has kept hidden since the creation of the world, one must think here of what lies behind in terms of the history of Israel. Israel itself existed for the sake of Christ, and therefore within Israel lay the mysteries of the kingdom (Matthew 13:11)—the kingdom of Christ which he himself brings. In the old covenant these mysteries remained concealed, but now they are disclosed, specifically through the parables of the kingdom. This takes place in the new covenant—the covenant of fulfillment. What Psalm 78:1–72 once revealed only partially and in shadow is now fully present. For indeed, one greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12:42). Matthew 13:34–35 highlights the fact that Jesus, in conducting his ministry, does so in accordance with Scripture.3
35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”