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

¹⁰ And the disciples came, and said to him, why do you speak to them in parables?

¹¹ to whom he answered, because you are allowed to know the mysteries of the gospel-dispensation, but to them it is not allowed. ¹² for to him that uses what he has, shall be given, and he shall have abundantly: but from him that uses it not, shall be taken away, even what he hath. ¹³ therefore speak I to them in parables: because they over-look what they see: and are inattentive to what they hear, neither will they comprehend. ¹⁴ and in them is fulfilled that prophecy of Esaias, "by hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand: and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive. ¹⁵ for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

¹⁶ but happy are you that your eyes have sight; and that your ears have their hearing. ¹⁷ for I declare unto you, that many prophets and just men have desired to see what ye see, and have not seen it: and to hear what ye hear, and have not heard it.

¹⁰ And when he was in private, the twelve, and some of his disciples asked him the meaning of the parable. ¹¹ he answered, you are admitted into the secret of the gospel-dispensation: but to unbelievers every thing is couch'd in parables; because, ¹² tho' they see, they will not perceive, and tho' they hear they will not understand: as if they were afraid of parting with their vices, in order to be pardoned.

⁹ But his disciples having ask'd him the meaning of this parable; ¹⁰ he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear.