Mat 13:10-17, Mar 4:10-12 | ISV | STEP | The Purpose of the Parables Then the disciples came and said to Jesus, “Why do you speak to people in parables?”

Matthew 13:10-17

10 The Purpose of the Parables Mark 4:10-12; Luke 8:9-10Then the disciples came and said to Jesus, ^{▼▼Lit. him} “Why do you speak to people ^{▼▼Lit. to them} in parables?”

11 He answered them, “You have been given knowledge about the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but it hasn't been given to them.Matt 11:25; 16:17; Mark 4:11; 1Cor 2:10; 1John 2:27 12 For to anyone who has something, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who doesn't have anything, even what he has will be taken away from him.Matt 25:29; Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18; 19:26 13 That's why I speak to them in parables, because

‘they look but don't see,

and they listen but don't hear or understand.’

14 “With them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says:Isa 6:9; Ezek 12:2; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; Acts 28:26-27; Rom 11:8; 2Cor 3:14-15

‘You will listen and listen but never understand.

You will look and look but never comprehend.

15 For this people's heart has become dull,Heb 5:11

and their ears are hard of hearing. ^{▼▼Lit. they hear with ears of heaviness}

They have shut their eyes

so that they might not see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart and turn,

and I would heal them.’ ^{▼▼Isa 6:9-10}

16 “How blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear!Matt 16:17; Luke 10:23-24; John 20:29 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see the things you see but did not see them, and to hear the things you hear but did not hear them.”Heb 11:13; 1Pet 1:10-11

Jesus Explains the Parable about the Sower Mark 4:13-20; Luke 8:11-15

Mark 4:10-12

10 The Purpose of the Parables Matthew 13:10-17; Luke 8:9-10When he was alone with his followers ^{▼▼Lit. with those around him} and the twelve, they began to ask him about the parables.Matt 13:10; Luke 8:9 11 He said to them, “The secret about the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside, everything comes in parables1Cor 5:12; Col 4:5; 1Thes 4:12; 1Tim 3:7 12 so thatIsa 6:9; Matt 13:14; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; Acts 28:26; Rom 11:8

‘they may see clearly but not perceive,

and they may hear clearly but not understand,

otherwise they might turn around and be forgiven.’” ^{▼▼Isa 6:9-10}