This is one of the parables found in the Holy Qur’an. Allah U says:
﴾وَتِلْكَ الأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ﴿

“And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.” [Surah Al-Hasyr: 21], and

﴾وَتِلْكَ الأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَا إِلاَّ الْعَالِمُونَ﴿

“And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.” [Surah Al-‘Ankabut: 43], and

﴾إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ يَضْرِبَ مَثَلاً مَا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا﴿

“Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example – that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 26], and

﴾مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ﴿

“The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp” [Surah An-Nuur: 35]

Allah U gives parables by likening non-tangible things to tangible things in order to bring them closer to our minds so that we can understand them. The following verses are concerning hypocrisy. Since hypocrisy is something which we cannot perceive, Allah U provides for it a tangible analogy.