parables - the kingdom of heaven is like this...

jesus often taught in parables. if you don't know, these parables were short stories used as analogies of how life is ultimately.

my belief for jesus using parables is that it was for the commonfolk, who were the majority in the crowds that followed him, to be able to understand and remember what he was teaching. his parables often included familiar things, such as farming, weddings, landlord-tenant relationships, father-son relationships, etc.

however, a piece of scripture struck me! it seemed to indicate that jesus spoke the things of God in parables so that not everyone who heard would understand. hmm...

Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not seem and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

'You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.
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.'

But blessed are you eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. Truly I say to you, 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."

- Matt 13:10-17 [ESV]

i'm not quite sure what to make of this. help and comments appreciated.