In the earlier part of His ministry, Christ had spoken to the people in words so plain that all His hearers might have grasped truths which would make them wise unto salvation. But in many hearts the truth had taken no root, and it had been quickly caught away. "Therefore speak I to them in parables." He said; "because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. . . . For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed." Matt. 13:13-15.

I begyndelsen af sin gerning havde Kristus talt til folket med så tydelige og enkle ord, at alle hans tilhørere kunne have forstået de sandheder som kunne gøre dem vise til frelse. Men i manges hjerter var sandheden ikke blevet rodfæstet, og den var hurtigt blevet glemt. "Derfor taler jeg til dem i lignelser" sagde han, "fordi de ser og dog ingenting ser og hører og dog ingenting hører eller forstår. Thi dette folks hjerte er blevet sløvet, og med ørerne hører de tungt, og deres øjne har de lukket."