The Purpose of Jesus’ Parables

(Isaiah 6:1–13, Mark 4:10–12, Luke 8:9–10)

10 Then the disciples came to [Jesus] [and] asked “Why do You speak to [the people] in parables?”

11 He replied “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them 12 Whoever has will be given [more], and he will have an abundance. Whoever [does] not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

13 This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; [though] hearing, they do not hear [or] understand.’[fn]

14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

15 For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with [their] ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with [their] eyes, hear with [their] ears, understand with [their] hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’[fn]

16 But blessed [are] your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous [men] longed to see what you see [but] did not see [it], and to hear what you hear [but] did not hear [it].