[quote]The parables filter the crowd, separating those who have come to Jesus in a casual way or due to idle curiosity, from those who come hungry and thirsty and desperately conscious of their need for Gods truth.[/quote]

And yet, Jesus' disciples couldn't even figure out his parables until Jesus had to explain the parables to them. I guess they also weren't thirsty and hungry for God's truth. Or, Jesus was biased towards his disciples and felt like they needed a free pass that he wouldn't give to the "curious".