John 10:6

Parable. Gr. paroimia, not parabole, the usual word for “parable,” for a definition of which see p. 203. In the LXX paroimia and parabole both translate the Heb. mashal, for a definition of which see Vol. III, p. 945. Paroimia occurs only five times in the NT: here, in John 16:25 (twice), 29, and in 2 Peter 2:22. In this last reference it clearly means “proverb,” but this definition does not suit the usages of the word in John. John uses the word to describe a symbolic or figurative, perhaps enigmatic, saying. “Allegory” or “figure” would be a close English equivalent. The discourse of John 10 differs from what is usually termed a parable in that it does not keep the outer facts wholly distinct from the ideal truths as is done in true parables.

They understood not. That is, they did not grasp the truth Jesus was illustrating. They understood the outer facts, of course, but the spiritual truths remained hidden from them. They were spiritually blind (ch. 9:40, 41).