Jesus’ statement is more than once applied directly to his speaking in parables. The clause reads, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God.” This would then mean, “You know (or I shall now tell you) what the parable means.” But this explanation does not fit the text. Jesus does not say that the secret shall be given to his disciples, but that it is given to them. Moreover, he does not speak of the secret of the parable, but of the secret of the kingdom of heaven. The meaning must therefore be that God had already given Jesus’ disciples the knowledge of the mystery of his kingdom. They believe in Jesus and acknowledge him as having been sent by the Father. They do the will of God by listening to Jesus (3:35). They know that the promised kingdom comes through Jesus, who brings forgiveness of sins (3:28–30). They know what the miracles mean: they reveal the mystery of God’s Son. Demons know that too (3:11–12), but the twelve are allowed to proclaim it (3:13–15).1
11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,