They did not understand that He was speaking to them about the Father.

Jesus told them this allegory, but they did not understand what He meant by it.

His disciples at the time did not understand this, but after Jesus was glorified, they remembered that this had been written about Him and that they had fulfilled it in His case.

"He has blinded their eyes and benumbed their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes and understand with their hearts, and turn to me to cure them."

Jesus answered him, "You do not now understand what I am doing, but by-and-by you will learn."

So when He had washed their feet and had put on His clothes and taken His place at the table, He said to them again: "Do you understand what I have done to you?