The Purpose of Jesus’ Parables

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

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

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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, vvv they do not see;

[though] hearing, vvv they do not hear [or] understand.’[fn]

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In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

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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]

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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] vvv did not see [it], and to hear what you hear [but] vvv did not hear [it].

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