Parables help explain deep spiritual concepts and realities which otherwise would be difficult, if not
impossible, to understand. By using parables and similes: "like a lion‖, "like a snake‖, "like leaven‖, "like salt‖,
etc. Y‘shua the Messiah was able to teach those with functioning spiritual ears and eyes (investigative &
willing minds) eternal Truth. If, however, a listener did not want to know, then the parable invariably appeared
like a children's story; perhaps a little entertaining but of little practical use. The Master used parables
nonetheless, whether his hearers wanted to know or not; simply because parables best explain the invisible
realities of the Kingdom of Heaven.
In two places, Y‘shua explains the meaning of His parables to some degree. In verses 18-23, he explains
this first parable by showing four possible scenarios involving people who hear the Gospel message of the
Kingdom. (See verse 18-23.) (The seventh parable being the second place.)
13:10-17 Why Y‟shua spoke in parables―(10) And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? (11) He
answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,
but to them it is not given. (12) For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more
abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. (13) Therefore speak I
to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
(14) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not
understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: (15) For this people's heart 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 should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I
should heal them. (16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (17) For verily I
say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and
have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them‖.
Isaiah‘s prophecy:
(9) ―And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but
perceive not.
(10) Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with
their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed‖.
(Isaiah 6:9-10)
As said earlier, Matthew 13 is the single chapter of the "New Testament" with the most references to the
Kingdom of YHWH. Here, Y‘shua speaks of the Kingdom using a series of parables. When asked by His
disciples why He spoke in parables, He replied:
―...Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given‖.
(Matt 13:11)
Ultimately, one understands that there is nothing that is secret, nor is there anything that YHWH hides from
us. Truth is always here, in the present moment, and is obvious to all who have eyes to see it right in front of
them. But, it is man's own carnal nature that keeps him from seeing the obvious. Man must rightfully blame
himself for his failure to see that which he does not.
Spiritual concepts, designs, structures and realities are often misunderstood by us mortals simply because
they are invisible to the human eye. The Messiah knew this and used parables to unveil and explain ―things
which had been kept secret from the foundation of the world‖ (Matt 13:35). Indeed he never preached a
sermon without using a parable (verse 34). To the spiritually 'blind', the parables were at best 'mystifying
tales' of little value. But to those with spiritual 'eyesight', they were visual aids, dramatic word-pictures of real
life truths. Parables unlock spiritual mysteries hitherto beyond the believer's comprehension. Virtually every
good teacher the world over uses 'parables‘, ' illustrations' and 'visual aids' to teach his/her lessons. So
effective was this method of preaching, that when the Saviour had finished one great session of parabolic
instruction, he asked this question: Matt 13:51 ―Have you understood all these things?' They say unto him,
'Yea Lord‖.
Also see ―The Kingdom in Matthew 13‖ above.