Matthew 13:1

“He told them many things in parables.”

As I understand it, the teachers of the Law at the time of Christ pressed for literal understanding of the things of God – all in “do-able” terms. So, faith to them was exhibited by concrete actions, as clear as crystal.  For example the command of the Law to keep the Sabbath was, for them, too nebulous. They had to spell out in concrete terms what it means. So it was in all aspects of obedience to the Holy Law revealed to Moses.  There is very little place for parables when that approach is taken.

So it must have been disconcerting for the disciples to hear Jesus tell stories instead of teaching obedience to the Law. This was so frustrating to them that they asked Jesus, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” They maybe had been thinking, “Why doesn’t Jesus teach like all Rabbis teach – in straight forward “do’s” and “don’ts?  That is the mark of a true Rabbi.”

Jesus had little regard for what people expected, he came to reveal the heart of God, thus the parabolic teaching which engages the heart and mind together.