The parable of the sower is suited to this situation: it forms an explanation packaged in images for Jesus’ style of speaking. For this series of images deals with listening: it begins with a summons (Listen! 4:3a), which also (in detailed form) concludes the parable (4:9). The crowd that lusts after healings is being told that listening is a priority for Jesus! His instruction from the boat is no delay for them. They themselves have to adjust and, having come here, must be ready to begin to listen.1
2 And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: