Jesus frequently addressed the crowds of people who came to hear him. At times, however, the Gospels tell us explicitly that he spoke to more specific groups of people, such as his disciples or the Pharisees. Thus in today's Gospel passage he addressed a parable specifically to the chief priests and elders of the people. They "realized that he was speaking about them". We should note carefully what Matthew writes: he specified that they were Jesus' intended audience. But it was one thing for Jesus to speak to them. It was a different matter for them to realize that he was speaking directly to them. They realized that Jesus was not only speaking to them; he was actually speaking about them.

All of Jesus' teaching is addressed to all of us. His main purpose is to reveal God's word to us; but, in speaking about God, he is also speaking about us, sometimes more directly than others but always expecting a response from us, a response that will eventually bring us to eternal life. By faith, we learn to listen and hear what Jesus' words tell us about ourselves, the way we live, the way we ought to live.