Jesus told them this parable, ¹  but they ²  did not understand ³  what he was saying to them.

Jesus spoke ¹  to them again in parables, saying:

So ¹  Jesus ²  told them ³  this parable: ⁴ 

He also asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it?

With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, ¹  and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness. ² 

Then ¹  Jesus ²  said, “A man had two sons.

This mystery is great – but I am actually ¹  speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

So ¹  he called them and spoke to them in parables: ²  “How can Satan cast out Satan?

These things may be treated as an allegory, ¹  for these women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar.

This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper.

This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, ¹  and it is a great burden ²  to me:

“I, the Lord, say: ¹  ‘This shows how ²  I will ruin the highly exalted position ³  in which Judah and Jerusalem ⁴  take pride.

He ¹  told them many things in parables, ²  saying: “Listen! ³  A sower went out to sow. ⁴ 

Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the crowds; he did not speak to them without a parable.

When ¹  the chief priests and the Pharisees ²  heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them.

“The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

He taught them many things in parables, ¹  and in his teaching said to them:

He also said, “The kingdom of God is like someone who spreads seed on the ground.

So ¹  with many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear.