A parable is a brief, succinct story, in prose or verse, that illustrates a moral or religious lesson. - From wikipedia "parable"
Jesus used parables for different reasons. There were a lot of people trying to catch Jesus saying something against the government or contradictory to the beliefs of that culture. Parables came in very handy because he could disguise his teachings, and therefore avoid prosecution from the government. The NT describes situations where the Pharisees and the Sadducees tried to trip up Jesus in his words. He used parables to get his point across.
Jesus also used parables to teach the doctrines of His gospel in a simple manner. For example, he used the culture marriage in the parable of the ten virgins to describe how his second coming will be swift, and only those that are prepared will be able to join him. He compared preparation for his coming to oil in a lamp that burns during a marriage ceremony at night. Notice that those virgins that did not have oil (five of them I think) could not just borrow oil or quickly go get some. It was too late. Jesus was explaining that when He comes in all his glory, it will be too late to repent at that time, or hurry and pray or read our scriptures. It is a parable about being prepared and not procrastinating. Let me know if this helps.
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