The Purpose of the Parables
10
Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"
11
And he answered them, x "To you it has been given to know y the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12
z For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, a even what he has will be taken away.
13
This is why I speak to them in parables, because b seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, c nor do they understand.
14
Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
d "'You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.
15
For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears e they can barely hear,
and f their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and g understand with their heart
and h turn, and I would heal them.'
16
But i blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
17
i For truly, I say to you, j many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
-
Cross References
Matthew 19:11
But he said to them, "Not everyone can receive ...
Colossians 1:27
To them God chose to make known how great among...
1 Corinthians 2:6 - 10
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, altho...
1 John 2:20
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and...
1 John 2:27
But the anointing that you received from him ab...
Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Fath...
-
Cross References
Romans 16:25
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
-
Cross References
Matthew 25:29
For to everyone who has will more be given, and...
Mark 4:25
For to the one who has, more will be given, and...
Luke 8:18
Take care then how you hear, for to the one who...
Luke 19:26
I tell you that to everyone who has, more will ...
John 15:2
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he ...
James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "Go...
-
Cross References
Revelation 2:5
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 29:4
But to this day the Lord has not given you a he...
Jeremiah 5:21
Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who ...
Ezekiel 12:2
Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebelli...
Romans 11:8
As it is written, "God gave them a spirit of st...
2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were hardened. For to this day,...
2 Corinthians 4:4
In their case the god of this world has blinded...
Isaiah 42:19 - 20
Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my mess...
-
Cross References
Matthew 13:19
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
Matthew 13:51
"Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes."
Matthew 15:10
And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand:
Matthew 16:12
Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Mark 8:21
And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?
-
Cross References
John 12:40
"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them."
Acts 28:26 - 27
'Go to this people, and say, You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.
Isaiah 6:9 - 10
And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.
-
Cross References
Isaiah 6:9 - 10
And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.
-
Cross References
Hebrews 5:11
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
-
Cross References
John 9:39
Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.
John 9:41
Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.
-
Cross References
Romans 10:10
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
-
Cross References
Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
-
Cross References
Luke 10:23 - 24
Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!
Matthew 16:17
And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
-
Cross References
Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
-
Cross References
Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
1 Peter 1:10 - 12
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully.
John 8:56
Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.