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This is such a valuable explanation- Jesus says to His disciples that He speaks in parables NOT to break everything down for better understanding. It's basically to confuse everyone! Only those who seek out the meaning (seek God) will come to an understanding. I grew up believing that parables were stories Jesus told to make his points easier to understand. But no. He offers explanation to those with whom He has relationship (here, his disciples). But for those on the outside, they have to search. For us, we have the amazing privelege of having consistent communication with our Lord. When we read scripture, the Holy Spirit can speak to us enlightening our thoughts and offering a deeper understanding of what the Word means. But those who do not know Christ, do not have the Holy Spirit living within them. They must seek. God isn't going to force anyone to search for Him, to do anything. He gave us free will. There are many who, like this scripture states, just hear the word and it's sort of in one ear and out the other. It means nothing. They don't search for more, for deeper meaning, for ways to apply it to their lives, for ways to change. They do not understand. They sit in chuirch, probably hear great teaching but they just get up and leave. Nothing is applied to life. There is no passion for more depth or for deeper relationship. But for those who may have started out not understanding, as they seek God, it will be given to them. As they stick around, as they expose themselves to the Word, and salvation enters the picture for them- well, now they're part of the inner circle. Things start making sense. And when they don't, the Holy Spirit is their to explain, to guide, and to prod.