A parable as defined by Dictionary.com is “a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson” or “a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like.”
If we were to just take this definition into account, we might logically conclude, as many do, that Jesus used parables in His teaching to make His lessons memorable and easily understood. After all, parables are illustrations, and illustrations are typically used to help in understanding. A short story like the “Pearl of Great Price” or “The Prodigal Son” is easy to remember. But we must remember, Jesus didn’t come to earth to be a storyteller…
How Scripture answers "Why did Jesus teach using parables (Matthew 13:10-13)?"
Jesus was asked this exact question by His disciples1 and we have a rare instance in which Jesus gives a direct answer to a direct question. He doesn’t say that it was an “effective teaching method,” or that it would make it “memorable” or “easy to understand.” In fact it was just the opposite14. The disciples needed to ask what the parables meant27 and later, Jesus would actually contrast the practice with speaking “plainly about the Father”3.
The message of the kingdom is hidden159 for those who are not truly listening2 for it (or, as other Scripture puts it, seeking it). Teaching in parables (or figures of speech3) was Jesus’ practice7 as a prophet of God6 in order to distinguish those who were truly seeking truth4. This was consistent with how God spoke through His prophets of old8, and even how God’s word is heard/received today9.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
Then the disciples came and said to him, Why do you speak to them in parables? And he answered them, To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
His disciples came to Jesus apart from the crowds to ask Him why He spoke to them with parables. Jesus answers that for them (His disciples) the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been revealed, but it’s not so for the crowds. The one that has will be abundantly given more. The one that doesn’t have will be stripped of anything that he may have. He spoke in parables because in this same way, they see but can’t truly see, and hear but don’t really understand.
Jesus (in a boat) is teaching a crowd (on the beach) in a series of parables about the kingdom. He has told the parable of the sower, and now the disciples are asking Him privately about why He teaches with parables. It seems they did not understand the parable themselves, since He follows this with an explanation to them about what the parable means. They also ask for an explanation regarding the parable of the weeds (vs 36). This same account is given by Mark (4:10ff) and by Luke (8:9ff).
Applying Matthew 13:10-13 to this question...
Jesus gives a single, explicit reason for His use of parables. It is to reserve His message (eg “secret”) of the kingdom for those who are inclined to hear and understand it.
And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
The disciples asked Jesus what the parable meant, and Jesus shared a truth that they were learning about the “secrets” of the kingdom of God while others hear parables, so that seeing they may not see and hearing they may not understand.
The same instance as in Matthew 13:10-13 with added details from Luke. Jesus is moving around various cities teaching of the kingdom. The twelve plus some other disciples are traveling with him. He has just shared the parable of the sower and the disciples ask him what it means.
Applying Luke 8:9-10 to this question...
The lesson from the parable wasn’t obvious, as the disciples had to ask Jesus (privately) for an explanation. Two types of individuals are contrasted. One isn’t interested in the spiritual, and it’s for them that the parables are told – so “they may not understand.” The other wants to know more, and for them, “the secrets” are revealed —- not by the parable, but in its spiritual application.
This is another account of the same exchange between Jesus and His disciples.1
I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.
I [Jesus] have told you these things using parables, but the time is coming when I will no longer use figures of speech but will speak plainly about the Father.
The upper room on the eve of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. He is with his disciples.
Applying John 16:25 to this question...
Jesus acknowledges His spiritual instruction has been in figures of speech (aka riddles, parables), and He contrasts it with speaking “plainly.”
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
The Jews gathered around Him (Jesus) asking Him to tell them plainly that He was the Christ. He replies that He has already told them, but they do not believe. He says that the works that He does bear witness to the fact that he is the Son of God. He also says that they don’t believe because they are not part of His flock – His sheep that hear His voice and follow Him.
Jesus teaching the multitudes, including those that were seeking to harm him.
Applying John 10:24-27 to this question...
Jesus’ pattern of teaching (in parables) was not “plain” or obvious. Even when some protest and want it said plainly, Jesus refuses.
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
If our (apostles’) gospel is hidden, it is only hidden for those that are spiritually dying. For these, the god of this world has blinded the minds of these unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel – the glory of Christ who is the image of God.
Paul is extolling the great virtues of God’s word, wanting to encourage the saints in Corinth to “not lose heart” (vs 1) by reminding them of the danger of becoming “blinded” by worldliness. In 3:14-15, he illustrates with those from the day of Moses that became “hardened” and for whom a “veil” remains over their heart.
Applying 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 to this question...
Paul states that the gospel can, in fact, be hidden or “veiled” to unbelievers.
I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables.
I [God] spoke to the prophets and multiplied their visions and gave them parables to speak.
God, through the prophet Hosea, is mostly preaching judgement to Israel (northern ten tribes) and their imminent destruction by Assyria.
Applying Hosea 12:10 to this question...
God, the Father, spoke parables (and visions) to His people through the prophets.
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
Jesus spoke many such parables to the people, as much as they could hear them. He didn’t speak without using parables, but privately He explained everything to His disciples.
During Jesus’ public ministry teaching crowds that have heard about Him and His miracles.A parallel account of this is also recorded in Matthew 13:34-35.
Applying Mark 4:33-34 to this question...
Jesus spoke publicly in parables but explained his teaching privately.
And he said, Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
God told them [Aaron and Miriam] that with the prophets, He would speak to them in a vision and dream and in riddles. But with His servant Moses, since he is faithful in all things, He would speak to him clearly and face-to-face as it were, so that he could see the very form of God. How was it that they had the nerve to speak against His servant Moses?
Moses has led the children of Israel out of Egypt, and Miriam and Aaron (his sister and bother) are questioning Moses’ authority with Miriam’s statement, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” (vs 2) God hears this and is not at all pleased with them.
Applying Numbers 12:6-8 to this question...
God, the Father, spoke through His prophets in riddles.
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
The word of Christ is foolishness to those who are dying (spiritually), but to everyone being saved, it is the power of God. Just as Scripture has already confirmed, God will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the discernment of the discerning He will stop.
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, dealing with several serious issues throughout the letter, but here dealing with divisions among them and reminding them of the uniting nature of the Gospel. He quotes from Isaiah 29:14 to make his point, “And the Lord said: ‘Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.'”
Applying 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 to this question...
The gospel message appears as “folly” (foolishness) to all besides those who obey (those “being saved”).
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