When he was alone with his followers and the twelve apostles, they asked him about the stories.
Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, but whoever associates with fools will suffer.
Then he used stories as illustrations to tell them many things. He said, “Listen! A farmer went to plant seed.
When Jesus had sent the people away, he went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain what the illustration of the weeds in the field means.”
Jesus replied to them, “The mystery about God’s kingdom has been given ⌞directly⌟ to you. To those on the outside, it is given in stories:
He did not speak to them without using an illustration. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.
He added, “Let the person who has ears listen!”
When he had left the people and gone home, his disciples asked him about this illustration.