Matthew 13:17

“For verily I say unto you, etc.] This is added for the further confirmation of what is before said, concerning the happiness of the disciples, in seeing and hearing what they did: that many prophets, and righteous men; Luke says, (<421024>Luke 10:24) “kings” have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them, and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. To see Christ in the flesh, and have a clearer insight into the knowledge of the mysteries of grace, were things very desirable to men of the highest class in church and state, and of the best characters, such as Abraham, (<430856>John 8:56). Jacob, (<014918>Genesis 49:18). David, (<191407>Psalm 14:7).…”

“For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired--rather, "coveted." to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them--Not only were the disciples blessed above the blinded just spoken of, but favored above the most honored and the best that lived under the old economy, who had but glimpses of the things of the new kingdom, just sufficient to kindle in them desires not to be fulfilled to any in their day. In Luk 10:23-24, where the same saying is repeated on the return of the Seventy--the words, instead of "many prophets and righteous men," are "many prophets and kings"; for several of the…”

“Christ, in these verses, gives a “reason” why he used this manner of instruction. See also Mark 4:10-12; Luke 8:9-10. Matthew 13:11 The mysteries of the kingdom - The word “mystery,” in the Bible, properly means a thing that is “concealed,” or that “has been concealed.” It does not mean that the thing was “incomprehensible,” or even difficult to be understood. The thing might be “plain” enough if revealed, but it means simply that it “had” not been before made known. Thus the “mysteries of the kingdom” do not mean any doctrines incomprehensible in themselves considered, but simply doctrines about the preaching of the gospel and the establishment of the new kingdom of the Messiah, which “had…”

“That many: Luk 10:24; Joh 8:56; Eph 3:5, Eph 3:6; Heb 11:13, Heb 11:39, Heb 11:40; Pe1 1:10-12 Matthew 13:18”