وَلَقَد ضَرَبنا لِلنّاسِ في هٰذَا القُرآنِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَعَلَّهُم يَتَذَكَّرونَ
Certainly We have drawn for mankind in this Quran every [kind of] example, so that they may take admonition.
EXPOSITION
The previous verses provided a series of comparisons between those whom God has guided and those who are astray. This verse sums them up and paves the way for more comparisons in the verses that follow. This verse has appeared with slight variations in several other places in the Holy Quran (17:41, 17:89, 18:54, 25:50, 30:58).
A universal Quranic principle that is also reflected in this verse is that the Quran is for all mankind. Furthermore, it includes every description, example, and instruction that is needed for the purpose for which it was sent, which is the guidance of mankind: that they may take admonition. This is how the Quran is a clarification of all things (16:89) and We have not omitted anything from the book (6:38).
INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS
- And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
[1] Mark 4:33-34.