All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable.
This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.
This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
“I have said this to you in figures; the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in figures but tell you plainly of the Father.
His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure!