Let’s read Mark 4:10-12, “And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” 

Mark 4:1-9 tell us that the Lord taught many things by parables.  In these verses, He tells them the parable of the sower and the soils.  In the corresponding portion in Matthew 13, we see that the disciples asked the Lord, “Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” (Verse 10). 

What exactly is a parable?  It comes from the Greek word ‘parabolḗ’ which means: a symbolic fictitious narrative of common life conveying a moral lesson.  It is a story that is not based on true events but is used to teach moral lessons.  Some have described a parable as a heavenly story with an earthly message.  At this point, the disciples were confused by the Lord’s use of parables when simply teaching the lesson seemed more understandable and appropriate.

Notice in the Lord’s response that he refers to “unto you” and “unto them that are without.”  The Lord spoke in such a way that believers could understand His message, but unbelievers would not be able to understand…“That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”  These words are reflective of the Lord’s words to Isaiah in Isaiah 6:9-10, “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”  “This people” is in reference to the nation of Israel.  This suggests the thought that our Lord’s purpose was to produce the blindness and deafness of which He speaks. The real meaning of the words is, however, plain. This was to be the result of the willful blindness of those who rejected Him. 

The Lord had been very faithful to present the principles of the kingdom to Israel in Matthew, chapters 5-7.  However, He was rejected by those He had come to save as we read in John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”  So, after His rejection He taught in parables the Kingdom in mystery form so that only those who believed in Him would understand His teachings.  Precious truths concerning the kingdom of God belong only to those are occupants of His kingdom, not those who rejected Him and His kingdom.  So, by using parables, the Lord could teach without hindrance, but, unfortunately for the unbelieving, they were hearing without obtaining any blessing.  (410.2)