The mysteries of the kingdom of God: What was hidden in the past about God’s reign was now revealed through the words and actions of Jesus.
though seeing … they may not understand: This quote is from the Greek version of Isaiah 6:9. This passage appears often in the New Testament to explain why Israel rejected the gospel (see also Matthew 13:14–15; Mark 4:12; John 12:40; Acts 28:26–27). In its original context, the passage refers to God’s certain judgment of Israel at the hands of the Assyrians. Israel’s sin and rebelliousness had taken them beyond the point of no return, so God blinded them in preparation for judgment. Those who rejected the message of Jesus were unable to see the truth clearly.