Consider, then, the parable of the sower:

Matthew 13:36
Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

Mark 4:10
As soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve and those around Him, they asked Him about the parable.

Mark 4:13
Then Jesus said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

Luke 8:11
Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

Hear you therefore the parable of the sower.