Why did Jesus speak in parables that some people couldn’t understand?
The Devotional Answer
The devotional answer is that Jesus' parables are a divine test of the condition of your heart. If you approach them with genuine, humble curiosity, they open up beautiful truths about the Kingdom of God. If you approach them with cynicism or resistance, they become nothing more than confusing stories.
Jesus' use of parables is a comfort because it shows that God seeks genuine commitment, not casual interest. He rewards the seeking heart (Question 107).
He doesn't hide the truth out of malice, but to demonstrate that spiritual truth requires spiritual effort and a willingness to believe (Question 85). If you lean in, listen to the Holy Spirit (Question 66), and seek the meaning, Jesus promises that illumination will follow.
The Simple Answer
Jesus' parables served a dual purpose, which He explicitly explained to His disciples in Matthew 13:10-17:
To Reveal Truth: For those with a willing heart and genuine faith (His disciples), the parables were an effective and memorable way to explain the hidden truths (mysteries) of the Kingdom of God.
To Conceal Truth: For those who had already hardened their hearts and consistently rejected His clear message (especially the religious leaders), the parables acted as a judgment. The stories were just clear enough to condemn them for rejecting the simple truth, but veiled enough so they would not be forced to repent against their will.
The parables became a divine sorting mechanism: faith unlocked the meaning, and lack of faith locked it away.
The Deeper Dive: Fulfillment of Prophecy and Judgment
Jesus' answer to the disciples directly quotes the Old Testament, showing that this teaching method was part of God’s predetermined plan.
1. The Prophetic Necessity
Jesus quoted Isaiah 6:9-10, where God commanded the prophet Isaiah to deliver a message that would cause the people to hear but not understand, and see but not perceive.
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” — Matthew 13:13 (NIV)
By speaking in parables, Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. He used language that was deliberately simple in its form (stories about farming, weddings, money) but profound in its content (the nature of God, the coming Kingdom), thereby revealing the truth to the receptive few while hardening the resistant hearts of the majority.
2. The Principle of Privilege and Responsibility
Jesus summarized the principle this way: “Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” (Matthew 13:12, NIV).
"Whoever has" (a measure of faith and willingness to seek the truth) is rewarded with deeper understanding.
"Whoever does not have" (an unwillingness to believe) loses even the simple ability to understand a basic story.
This shows that the lack of understanding was not accidental; it was the consequence of their prior rejection of Jesus' authority and message (Question 83).
3. The Clarity for the Disciples
Crucially, Jesus did not leave His disciples confused. He taught the multitudes in parables and then privately explained the meaning of the parables to those who followed Him and asked questions (Mark 4:34). This demonstrates that the true function of the parable was to teach and instruct His faithful inner circle in the deeper truths of the Kingdom without casting "pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6).
God's Assurance
God assures you that every spiritual truth you need for life and salvation is clearly revealed in His Word, and He delights in sharing His secrets with those who seek Him.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” — Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
You are assured that the Holy Spirit is given to you to illuminate the Scriptures and open your mind to understanding (Question 66).
Your Takeaway Thought
Treat the Bible, and especially Jesus' teachings, as a conversation, not a textbook. If you encounter something confusing, don't dismiss it; take it to God in prayer and seek the explanation. The parable is a spiritual mirror: the clarity of the truth you see reflects the condition of your heart and the depth of your devotion to Christ.
