Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the crowds; he did not speak to them without a parable.
For this reason I speak to them in parables: Although they see they do not see, and although they hear they do not hear nor do they understand.
He told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow.
Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
“I have told you these things in obscure figures of speech; a time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in obscure figures, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
His disciples said, “Look, now you are speaking plainly and not in obscure figures of speech!