[dark_lord]

Strictly speaking, I suspect he was using it as an allegory (the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence); however it is true that his audience may have taken him literally. It does not matter since in either case he was trying to make a point regarding the concept of the resurrection. When Christ spoke in parables people didn't say "What sower? Where did he live? What was his name? When did this happen?" Etc.

[AmericaUnited]

It's very clear that it was not an allegory. In the example you mention "When Christ spoke in parables", it was always very clear that it was a parable, as you can read again and again:

Mt 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in PARABLEs, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
Mt 13:18 Hear ye therefore the PARABLE of the sower.
Mt 13:24 Another PARABLE put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mt 13:31 Another PARABLE put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Mt 13:33 Another PARABLE spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Mt 21:33 Hear another PARABLE: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard,...
Mt 24:32 Now learn a PARABLE of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: