Outsiders are those who lack insight and are unwilling to listen closely to Jesus.1 They do not come to Jesus for an explanation of the parable. They heard the parable but do not know the secret.2 Thus, one’s response to Jesus’ teaching determines whether or not you are an insider or an outsider.3 The parables cannot be understood by those who hear casually and carelessly.4
To be clear, the disciples are no different from anyone else in needing explanations for the parables, but they are different from outsiders in that they choose to come to Jesus for explanations. They are not indifferent to God’s truth. Outsiders simply do not regard what he says to be important enough to bother joining the disciples around Jesus in order to receive illumination.5
11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,