Jesus always used stories and illustrations when speaking to the crowds. in fact, He never speaks to them without using parables. This parable fulfilled the prophecy which He spoke through the prophets that He will speak in parables.
“All these things Jesus spoke in parables unto the multitudes; and without a parable spoke he nothing unto them:” Matt13:34, Mark 4:33-34.

All these things spoke Jesus-in parables. Christ descends from Divine mysteries to parables, in order to raise our minds, from and through natural things, to the great God, and the operations of His grace and Spirit. Divine things cannot be taught to man but through the medium of earthly things. If God should speak to us in that language which is peculiar to heaven, how little should we comprehend of the things been described! it is a great privilege to be taught in parables. Heavenly things, in the parables of Christ, makes themselves very clear.
and without a parable spake he nothing unto them: That is, not at that time; at other times he did. On that occasion. His whole discourse to the multitude was made up of parables.

PARABLES: Everyday life natural things to illustrate the truths about God’s kingdom.
In this chapter Matthew 13 there is nothing more significant than the sources from which Jesus drew His parables. In every case He drew them from the scenes and activities of everyday life. He began with things which were entirely familiar to His hearers in order to lead them to things which had never yet entered their minds. He took the parable of the sower from the farmer’s field Matt13:3, and the parable of the mustard seed from the husbandman’s garden; Matt13:31. He took the parable of the wheat and the tares from the perennial problem which confronts the farmer in his struggle with the weeds, Matt13:24, and the parable of the drag-net from the seashore of the Sea of Galilee. Matt13:47. He took the parable of the hidden treasure from the everyday task of digging in a field, Matt13:44, and the parable of the pearl of great price from the world of commerce and trade. Matt13:45-46. But in this parable of the leaven Jesus came nearer home than in any other because he took it from the kitchen of an ordinary house.

“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.” Matt13:35, Ps 78:2; Rom 16:25-26; 1Cor 2:7; Eph 3:9; Col 1:26.
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet saying. By the prophet. The quotation is taken from Ps 78:2, which is attributed to Asaph, he is the prophet in the text; and, indeed, he is expressly called a prophet, 1Chro 25: 2.who is called a seer 2Ch 29:30. His teaching typified that of Christ.
I will open my mouth in parables, Though the Psalm seems to contain only a summary of Israel’s history, the Psalmist himself calls it "a parable," and "dark sayings from of old"--as containing, underneath the history, truths for all time, not fully brought to light till the Gospel Day.

I will utter. To cast forth like a river, to gurgle, to disgorge, the passion of a prophet. From Ps 19:2; Ps78:2. The Psalmist claims to be able to utter "things hidden from the foundation of the world" and Matthew applies this language to the words of Jesus. Certain it is that the life and teaching of Jesus throw a flood of light on the purposes of God long kept hidden. Ps 49:4; Isaiah 42:9; Amos 3:7; Luke 10:14; Rom 16:25,26; 1Cor 2:7, Eph 3:5,9; Col 1:25,26; 2Tim 1:9,10; Tit 1:2,3; Heb 1:1; 1Peter 1:11,12
things hidden from the foundation of the world. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy in a notable manner, being the only teacher in history distinguished in any marked degree by the use of parables. Matt 25:34; John 17:24; Acts 15:18; 1Peter 1:20,21; Rev 13:8; Rev17:8.

PROPHECY: Divine communication of God’s will, often foretelling future events or conveying messages of moral and spiritual significance.2Peter1:21,1Cor14:3. It is inspired entrance in a known tongue tongues with interpretation are equivalent to prophecy. Paul receives the gifts of prophesy as most important 1 Cor. 14:5. A prophet is a ministry gift with other gifts e.g. Revelation, knowledge, faith gifts. The office of a prophet is a calling or a ministry Eph. 4:11, 1 Cor. 12:28.

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT
Old Testament prophecies are primarily foretelling while the New Testament are forth telling. This means that New Testament talks about how to make you a better Christian in the new (Blessing) 1 Cor. 14:3 e.g. of foretelling Gen. 49 is for the future.

STEPS TO JUDING PROPHECY
1.
Their fruits Matt. 7:16-20.
2.
You will make sure that the generation that does it glorify Jesus. Every prophecy Rev. 19:10 should testify to Jesus. When it points to man it is wrong 1 Cor. 12:3.
3.
Does it agree with the word of God. It must agree with the bible. Judge every prophesy with the word of God because the spirit and the word must agree with the direct voice of God Ex.3, Acts 9.
4.
Through enquires. Jere 33:3 (Lord what would you have me to do) 1 Thess 5:24, Heb 2:1-3 visions are delivered on enquires, ensure to have God’s plan in your hand before you start anything, then you will have His backing Prov. 14:12, Pro16:25. Why do we need vision? That it seems right does not make it right. You are limited about the future.

CONCLUSION: The main difference between parables and prophecy is that, prophecies are messages from the supernatural, while parables are life stories used to convey a message. Ask the Lord now: Lord, help me to understand your word and let your word come to pass in my life in the name of Jesus.