The Purpose of Speaking in Parables

10 When he was alone with the twelve and the others who were around him, they asked him about the [fn]parable. 11 So he said to them, “To you [fn]it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside everything is spoken in parables, 12 so that

‘they may see but not perceive,

and hear but not understand,

lest they should turn back and be forgiven [fn]of their sins.’ ”