{As they were able to hear it} (kath(9373) (8864)unanto akouein).
Only in Mark. Imperfect indicative. See  Joh 16:12  for ou
dunasthe bastazein, not able to bear. Jesus used parables now
largely, but there was a limit even to the use of them to these
men. He gave them the mystery of the kingdom in this veiled
parabolic form which was the only feasible form at this stage.
But even so they did not understand what they heard.