Matthew 13:10-17 - The Reason For The Parables

¹⁰ And His disciples coming, said to Him; Wherefore do you speak to them in parables?

¹¹ He responding said to them, Because it has been given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, but to them it has not been given. ¹² But whosoever has, it shall be given to him, and he shall have more abundantly: but whosoever has not, it shall be taken from him even what he has. ¹³ Therefore I speak to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. ¹⁴ And the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled unto them, saying, By hearing ye shall hear, and may not understand; and seeing you shall see, and may not perceive. ¹⁵ Because the heart of this people is waxed gross, and they heard heavily with their ears, and closed their eyes; lest they may see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I shall heal them.

¹⁶ But happy are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. ¹⁷ Truly I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see those things which you see, and saw them not; and to hear those things which you hear, and heard them not.

¹⁰ And when they were alone, and those around Him along with the twelve asked Him the parable. ¹¹ And He said to them, To you it has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them who are without, all things are in parables: ¹² in order that seeing they may see, and not know; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest they may turn, and their sins may he forgiven unto them.

⁹ And His disciples asked Him saying, What might this parable be? ¹⁰ And He said; To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; in order that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.