Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.
This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.