And it is to be noted, that He spake not all things to them in parables, but “many things,” for had He spoken all things in parables, the people would have departed without benefit. He mingles things plain with things dark, that by those things which they understand they may be incited to get knowledge of the things they understand not.
The multitude also is not of one opinion, but of divers wills in divers matters, whence He speaks to them in many parables, that each according to their several dispositions may receive some portion of His teaching.
Reproduced in full. Translation: Oxford 1841 (Newman), public domain (Public domain).