Why Did Jesus Preach in Parables? Намуна

Hearing and Responding to the Truth

There’s this funny little episode where Jesus is preaching the parable of the sower, and the disciples come to Him afterward, they say to Jesus: “We know some people, not us, but we know some people who are wondering why You are preaching in parables.” Really, the disciples were asking why Jesus was not making the meaning of the parables absolutely plain to everyone. Also, why did Jesus explain the meaning of His parables only to His disciples, and not to the crowds? 

This matter of Jesus preaching in parables can be a little bit confusing for anyone who reads the New Testament. It is also an interesting question. 

Why would Jesus do this? Why would He teach in ways that caused people to walk away and not really understand, and then go privately and explain it to His disciples so they could get the message? 

Let’s let Jesus answer the question because He answers it in Matthew 13:10–15. What Christ explained to His disciples is that His speaking in parables was actually a form of judgment. He said, “I have spoken plainly to the crowds. I spoke to them clearly. But what I’ve given, they haven’t received. Their ears are dull and their hearts are hard. I was willing to heal them, to bless them, but they would not. Therefore, when I teach in a way that my disciples have access to the meaning, but they don’t, it is just. This is a form of demonstrating God’s judgment against people who won’t listen.”

It is a dangerous thing to hear the truth and not pay attention to it. God may justly take away from you what you have because you didn’t take hold of the truth He first gave you—you weren’t willing to hear it.

God, please help me to be attentive and listen to the truths You communicate through Your Word. Let me set aside the cares and distractions of this world and give priority to Your will. I want to be a person who hears what You have to say and acts on it.