Parables are perhaps the most often considered and discussed
passages of the New Testament. They are taught to children early
on in hopes of establishing moral values, yet we adults fail to
grasp the point that Jesus was teaching for many of them. Below
is a quote from the Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary.
"Although parables are often memorable stories, impressing the
listener with a clear picture of the truth, even the disciples
were sometimes confused as to the meaning of parables. For
instance, after Jesus told the parable of the wheat and the
tares (Matthew 13:24-30), the disciples needed interpretation in
order to understand its meaning (Matthew 13:36-43)." "Jesus
sometimes used the parabolic form of teaching to reveal the
truth to those who followed Him and to conceal the truth from
those who did not (Matthew 13:10-17; Mark 4:10-12; Luke 8:9-10).
His parables thus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9-10. Like
a double-edged sword, they cut two ways –enlightening those who
sought the truth and blind