Why did Jesus speak in parables? If the gospel is intended to reach all the people then Jesus could have spoken the truths plainly all the time. Why is some truth said plainly and some said in parable?
I have an answer based on my revelation but I want to know different views on it.

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Sreeram

So that the Scripture might be fulfilled? That's what the Bible says at least.

Sree,

Those who don't want to hear, will not hear.

In Christ,
Renoncer

"Those who don't want to hear, will not hear."

So you are interpreting Jesus words - "let those who have ears let him hear" as stated above?

In today's world we are trying to preach Gospel to everyone we see. But Jesus said only those who have ears will hear. Are we not trying to take preach the Gospels to those who don't have ears? (or those who dont want to hear based on you).

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Sreeram

For unbelieving Israel who rejected the plain teaching of the prophets, God spoke to them in different tongues either literally as in the Book of acts or by parables that they may hear but not understand. But please do not forget the context of that judgment. It was that they refused to hear the plain teachings and warnings of God through the prophets.

Now, that is God's judgment and NOT man's.
It is not for you and me to decide who to harden by speaking in parables. We are to give the gospel to every creature as plain as can be and let God do the act of drawning or hardening to whom He wills according to their response or lack of it to the gospel.

God bless.

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Fifi

Sree,

UntoBabes is right about the fact that we do not know who is hardened against the Gospel. Jesus saw people's hearts and their end because He is God, but we don't see people's hearts nor the end of all things. Thus, we sow the seed, and God causes the increase according to His own purpose.

As for the interpretation of why Jesus spoke in parables, I was referring to Matthew 13:15 - "For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them."
(Notice the conjunction "FOR"..., which means "BECAUSE". It answers the question: "Why will they hear but never understand, and see but never perceive?")

In Christ,
Renoncer

Well said. So it is God's task to harden or melt the heart of listeners. This is what Jesus commanded his disciples to do, in Mathew 10 - "if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town".
So we have to tell them the Gospel praying that they accept it. But if they did not accept then it is their loss and it means there is no longing for God in their heart. Also God has hardened their hearts further.

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Sreeram

Sree, this is a wonderful thread. Thank you for posting.


He is Lord of ALL!

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Brother Kevin

Hey ThyKingCome, Previously I saw you posting some message regarding this subject. Now I dont see it.

If you still think it is relevant then please post it again.

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Sreeram

But Sree, what is your answer for the question?

I see in Mat 13 the Lord Himself answering this question. Renoncer mentioned it.

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" Mark 4:10; Luke 8:9;
11 Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. "For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; 15 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND 16 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 "For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it