²⁵ “Though I have been speaking figuratively,^(A) a time is coming^(B) when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

¹² “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.^(A)

²⁸ I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”^(A)

²⁹ Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.^(B)

⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech,^(A) but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.^(B)

¹³ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.^{(A) 35} So was fulfilled^(B) what was spoken through the prophet:

¹⁰ The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven^(A) has been given to you,^(B) but not to them.

² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;^(A) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.^(B) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience^(C) in the sight of God.