Mark tells us, when they were alone with Jesus, his disciples asked him about the meaning of the parable (Mark 4:10; cp. Luke 8:9). Matthew claims this occurred when they were in the house (Matthew 13:36). Therefore, the disciples’ questions weren’t asked until sometime later, after Jesus taught the people in other parables (Mark 4:21-34), and after he calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41), and after healing the man in the Decapolis (Mark 5:1-20). Their questions may have even occurred after Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5:21-43). Matthew tells us Jesus’ disciples also asked him why he spoke to the people in parables (Matthew 13:10), but this turns out to be an additional question rather than a contradiction. We are able to understand this because Matthew’s question is answered in Mark 4:11-12, which is exactly how Matthew begins Jesus’ response, but he goes on to give more depth to his reply about the purpose of parables (Matthew 13:11-17).
The purpose of parables seems to have several solutions. First of all, as I explained in a previous study, the parable is a story that is like something else. It is not the reality, but it, instead, points to the reality. In so doing, those who aren’t believers and stay aloof from Jesus are unable to understand the parable’s meaning. They may think they know its meaning, but for all intents and purposes, the mystery of the Kingdom of God remains a secret for these folks, and nothing about the Kingdom is really defined, as far as they are concerned (Mark 4:11-12). This also has the added benefit of hiding the Gospel from the demonic folks who derive benefit from exposing Jesus. If they, indeed, know who Jesus is, that information couldn’t be derived from his teaching, because that remains a mystery, even to these folks.
Secondly, for those close to Jesus, parables act like mental pictures of what is going on all around them, but had been hidden to them prior to understanding the parable (Mark 4:11). They are able to see, for example, that some folks never get the Gospel, because they are completely blind to the things of the spirit. In other words, believers are able to understand that the religious understanding of unbelievers, if they have any at all, comes from preconceived notions that have been defined by other folks. Most unbelievers simply can’t think for themselves in a spiritual sense. These are those whose heart is like the beaten down path of the wayside (verse-15).
Once again, as I concluded in a previous study, Jesus isn’t actually hiding anything from anyone. He just isn’t revealing things to everyone. There is a difference. Parables act as a literary means to keep from disturbing one’s spiritual blindness, which one brings upon himself (Mark 4:12; cp. Romans 1:21). The Lord values human freedom, so, if mankind wishes to push him away, the Lord will allow that to occur. Therefore, the ignorance of the Gospel for many is their own doing. They may be the movers and shakers of society, of religion, even of Christian churches, but they love the positions of honor they have in the eyes of others more than the rewards the Lord might offer them (John 12:42-43; cp. Romans 1:28-32). As for those unbelievers, who, rather than holding God’s word precious, value the opinions of their leaders, the movers and shakers of their lives, if they wish to leave the labor of the spirit to men and trust them, rather than step out in faith and lean upon the Lord, that is, also, their own doing. So, the Lord will respect their decision, as well, and his truth will remain a mystery to all such folks. These are those who are without (G1854), meaning they don’t get alone with the Lord to question him (Mark 4:10-11).
Jesus’ parables aren’t merely difficult to understand. Without a key, they are impossible to understand. The only way anyone who doesn’t comprehend the word of God gets to appreciate Jesus’ parables is by getting alone with Jesus and asking him to reveal their meaning.
The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:18) seems to be a foundational parable, because when his disciples claimed they didn’t understand its meaning, Jesus asked them how then will you understand all parables (Mark 4:13)? The key to understanding all parables is, men love darkness, and thereby Jesus gets rejected (John 3:19); he is unknown to all (John 1:30), even to those folks who naturally look for him (John 1:31, 33). The reason Jesus is rejected is that he claimed the Kingdom is like a seed that grows in one’s heart (Mark 4:14-15; cp. Matthew 13:19; Luke 17:21). It isn’t, as many expect, a physical kingdom or authority that is expressed externally and physically enforced. Therefore, Jesus was able to say that his Kingdom isn’t of this world (John 18:36), because it is a living, growing seed, subject, not to the law or government of man, but to the laws of life. It grows as a seed grows, gradually, taking nothing by force.
At the end of the day, therefore, it is impossible for the flesh to know and understand the Lord (Romans 8:7-8). Understanding the word of God is a gift from the Lord to the believer (Mark 4:11). Unbelievers don’t have this gift. Therefore, knowing the basics about the human heart is foundational to understanding most, if not all, other parables. Jesus is willing to teach us, no matter how ignorant we are, but we need to get alone with him and ask. He respects our liberty to remain aloof, and only those who use their liberty to draw near to him will gain any real understanding of his word. Parables represent the Lord’s judgment upon the unbeliever, while at the same time are a blessing to the believer.
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