A poor man sits outside the house of a rich man, begging for crumbs. When both these men die, they are taken to different places. Being tormented with flames in hell, the rich man calls out to the poor man, who has been brought to Abraham's bosom. All these things spoke Jesus unto the multitude in parables, and without a parable spoke he not unto them. Parables can be recognized by their narrative, storylike quality.
Parables are often difficult to understand.
Once, the Disciples asked Jesus about the meaning of a parable he had told that day. In parables, groups of people are represented by different symbols. Clearly, our rich man, clothed in purple and fine linen, represents the richly favored status of the Scribes and Pharisees, the spiritual leaders and representatives of Israel. The beggar class consists of the publicans and sinners of Israel and Gentiles seeking the truth and favor of the Lord. Sitting outside the favor of God, this sin-sick class begged for some little crumb of favor.