Matthew 13:10 Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’ 14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
‘You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
15 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn—
and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

Jesus explained why he taught in parables instead of simple lessons with explanations. Some of the hearers would respond positively to the parables and some wouldn’t. The ones who did were possible disciples. Other people mostly rejected Jesus, argued with him, refused to receive his message. Jesus used the words of Isaiah to describe what was happening and why.

I get that many people rejected Jesus initially, but I wonder how many became believers at a later date. Having heard the testimony of Jesus resurrection I’d like to think people got multiple chances to respond positively to the gospel message. I know I did. Lord, thank you that you never give up on us. Amen.