Jesus is saying I am now speaking in terms that they cannot understand.

And by the way, he extended that on the day of Pentecost.

First he spoke in stories they couldn't understand, and then he spoke in stories they couldn't understand and then he spoke in a language

they couldn't understand.

This is a judgment. Welcome to Grace to you with John MacArthur. I'm your host Phil Johnson. The stories are short and easy to follow. Even a child in Sunday school

can grasp them, yet they are packed with profound biblical truth. I'm talking about the parables that Jesus taught and

understanding these stories is a crucial matter for any follower of Jesus.

Today John MacArthur will help you grasp the meaning of and help you benefit from some of these

masterfully told tales in his study called Stories with Purpose.

Now, John, this study you're about to begin will cover some of the most famous

parables Jesus told but I know you'd say that just because the stories are

familiar doesn't mean their true meanings are well known.

Just because the stories are familiar

does not mean their meaning is well known.

In fact, I would venture to say

that generally speaking, the parables of our Lord

are not understood.

Let me shock you.

He told them for the purpose of hiding truth.

How about that? Most people think, well, Jesus told stories because it makes everything clear.

No, he told stories because it hides things.

A story without an explanation is a riddle that can't be solved.

...