Jesus says that he teaches using parables so that only those who have accepted God in his heart understand so that those who have "hardened their hearts" and have "closed their eyes" can not understand. Therefore, understanding the message of Jesus would mean being a true disciple of Jesus and not understanding it implies that one is not really committed to him and therefore we can not receive his help or that of his message.5 There are some debates about whether this is the original meaning of the use of parables or if it was actually added by Mark to reinforce the faith of his readers, perhaps when he was persecuted.6 This explanation seems to be essential to fully understand the real message of the parables of Jesus, since it makes it clear that it is necessary to have faith in Him to understand them, or they are otherwise confused.7
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