Matthew alone in this form. In Luke the disciples asked our Lord what the parable was; in Mark, more generally, they "asked of him the parables." Whether the question as given by St. Matthew was actually spoken by the disciples or not, the Lord's answer, the substance of which is the same in all three accounts, suggests that it at least represents their thoughts.
St. Matthew probably wishes to bring out with special clearness, by his version of their words, the point of our Lord's reply. And the disciples. Including more than the twelve; so Mark, "They that were about him with the twelve" (cf.
Matthew 5:1, note) Came. Presumably some little time afterwards, for he must have left the boat (verse 2). And said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Them; i.e. those outside the circle of Christ's followers.
For the general meaning of our Lord's reply to this question, see the remarks at the beginning of this chapter. Other questions about our Lord's reasons for what he did are to be found in Matthew 9:11, Matthew 9:14; Matthew 15:2; Matthew 17:19; Matthew 26:8 (cf.
also Matthew 12:2 with Luke 6:2).