'Figurative' in the Bible

He then spoke many things to them in figurative language. "The sower goes out," He said, "to sow.

(And His disciples came and asked Him, "Why do you speak to them in figurative language?"

I speak to them in figurative language for this reason, that while looking they do not see, and while hearing they neither hear nor understand.

All this Jesus spoke to the people in figurative language, and except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them,

in fulfilment of the saying of the Prophet, "I will open my mouth in figurative language, I will utter things kept hidden since the creation of all things."

"Explain to us this figurative language," said Peter.

Again Jesus spoke to them in figurative language.