John 10:6

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

Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant,

Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about.

In this Jesus was teaching them in the form of a story: but what he said was not clear to them.

Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

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

¹ sn A parable is a fairly short narrative that has symbolic meaning. The Greek word παροιμίαν (paroimian) is used again in 16:25, 29. This term does not occur in the synoptic gospels, where παραβολή (parabolh) is used. Nevertheless it is similar, denoting a short narrative with figurative or symbolic meaning.

² tn Grk “these.”

³ tn Or “comprehend.”