8 The Holy Spirit is making this clear, that the way into the holy place has not yet been revealed while the first tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a parable for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshipper perfect in conscience, Hebrews 9:8-9 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)
The literal idea of the Greek παραβολή (parabolē) is a placing side by side and, therefore, a comparison or similarity….
A parable is, therefore, “a short story under which something else is figured or in which the fictitious is used to represent and illustrate the real. In the passage above (Hebrews 9:8-9) I translated παραβολὴ as parable instead of “symbol” or “picture” showing that the wilderness Tabernacle was a “parable” of Christ’s heavenly ministry.
It has been observed that about 1/3 of Jesus’ teaching was couched as parables. Why do you suppose He ministered that way? Why not just be literal and clear? Why be abstract?
13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Matthew 13:13 (NASB)