And He began again to teach by the seaside. And there was gathered unto Him a great multitude, so that He entered into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

And He taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in His doctrine:

“Hearken! Behold, there went out a sower to sow.

And it came to pass as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

And some fell on stony ground where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth.

But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

And other fell on good ground; and it yielded fruit that sprang up and increased and brought forth: some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundredfold.”

And He said unto them, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

And when He was alone, those who were about Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.

And He said unto them, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God; but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables,

that, ‘seeing they may see, and not perceive, and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted and their sins should be forgiven them.’”

And He said unto them, “Know you not this parable? And how then will ye know all parables?

The sower soweth the Word.

And these are they by the wayside, where the Word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately and taketh away the Word that was sown in their hearts.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground who, when they have heard the Word, immediately receive it with gladness;

but they have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time. Afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the Word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are they which are sown among thorns, such as hear the Word,

but the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground, such as hear the Word and receive it and bring forth fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

And He said unto them, “Is a candle brought to be put under a basket or under a bed, and not to be set on a candlestick?

For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should be revealed.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”

And He said unto them, “Take heed what ye hear. With what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you; and unto you that hear shall more be given.

For he that hath, to him shall be given; and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.”

And He said, “So is the Kingdom of God as if a man should cast seed into the ground,

and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how.

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”

And He said, “To what shall we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth.

But when it is sown, it groweth up and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches, so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.”

And with many such parables He spoke the Word unto them, as they were able to hear it;

but without a parable spoke He not unto them. And when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples.

And that same day, when the evening had come, He said unto them, “Let us pass over unto the other side.”

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the boat; and there were also with Him other little boats.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was now full.

But He was in the hind part of the boat, asleep on a pillow; and they awoke Him and said unto Him, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”

And He arose, and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And He said unto them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”

And they feared exceedingly and said one to another, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there is gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land.

And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his teaching,

Hearken: Behold, the sower went forth to sow:

and it came to pass, as he sowed, some seed fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured it.

And other fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth; and straightway it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth:

and when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

And other fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

And others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.

And he said, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables.

And he said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables:

that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them.

And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables?

The sower soweth the word.

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them.

And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy;

and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble.

And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word,

and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.

And he said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, and not to be put on the stand?

For there is nothing hid, save that it should be manifested; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light.

If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you; and more shall be given unto you.

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath.

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed upon the earth;

and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how.

The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.

And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth,

yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof.

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it;

and without a parable spake he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things.

And on that day, when even was come, he saith unto them, Let us go over unto the other side.

And leaving the multitude, they take him with them, even as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him.

And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, insomuch that the boat was now filling.

And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him, and say unto him, Teacher, carest thou not that we perish?

And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Again Jesus began to teach beside the sea [of Galilee]. And a very large crowd gathered around Him, so He got into a boat [anchoring it a short distance out] on the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the shore.

And He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said to them,

“Listen! A sower went out to sow seed;

and as he was sowing, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed fell on rocks where there was not much soil; and immediately a plant sprang up because the soil had no depth.

And when the sun came up, the plant was scorched; and because it had no root, it dried up and withered away.

Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.

And other seed fell into good soil, and as the plants grew and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundred times [as much as had been sown].”

And He said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.”

As soon as He was alone, those who were around Him, together with the twelve [disciples], began asking Him about [the interpretation of] the parables.

He said to them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you [who have teachable hearts], but those who are outside [the unbelievers, the spiritually blind] get everything in parables,

so that they will continually look but not see, and they will continually hear but not understand, otherwise they might turn [from their rejection of the truth] and be forgiven.”

Then He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand and grasp the meaning of all the parables?

The sower sows the word [of God, the good news regarding the way of salvation].

These [in the first group] are the ones along the road where the word is sown; but when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.

In a similar way these [in the second group] are the ones on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy [but accept it only superficially];

and they have no real root in themselves, so they endure only for a little while; then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they [are offended and displeased at being associated with Me and] stumble and fall away.

And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word,

but the worries and cares of the world [the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And those [in the last group] are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word [of God, the good news regarding the way of salvation] and accept it and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much [as was sown].”

He said to them, “A lamp is not brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not [brought in] to be put on the lampstand?

For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been kept secret, but that it would come to light [that is, things are hidden only temporarily, until the appropriate time comes for them to be known].

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.”

Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides.

For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Then He said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on the ground;

and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know.

The earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head [of grain], then the mature grain in the head.

But when the crop ripens, he immediately puts in the sickle [to reap], because [the time for] the harvest has come.”

And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it?

It is like a mustard seed, which, when it is sown on the ground, even though it is smaller than all the [other] seeds that are [sown] on the soil,

yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden herbs; and it puts out large branches, so that the birds of the sky are able to make nests and live under its shade.”

With many such parables, Jesus spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear and understand it;

and He did not say anything to them without [using] a parable; He did, however, explain everything privately to His own disciples.

On that [same] day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee].”

So leaving the crowd, they took Him with them, just as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him.

And a fierce windstorm began to blow, and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped.

But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?”

And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness].

Jesus said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith and confidence [in Me]?”

They were filled with great fear, and said to each other, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Again Jesus began to teach beside the lake. And a very great crowd gathered about Him, so that He got into a ship in order to sit in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was at the lakeside on the shore.

And He taught them many things in parables (illustrations or comparisons put beside truths to explain them), and in His teaching He said to them:

Give attention to this! Behold, a sower went out to sow.

And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed [of the same kind] fell on ground full of rocks, where it had not much soil; and at once it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil;

And when the sun came up, it was scorched, and because it had not taken root, it withered away.

Other seed [of the same kind] fell among thorn plants, and the thistles grew and pressed together and utterly choked and suffocated it, and it yielded no grain.

And other seed [of the same kind] fell into good (well-adapted) soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing, and yielded up to thirty times as much, and sixty times as much, and even a hundred times as much as had been sown.

And He said, He who has ears to hear, let him be hearing [and let him consider, and comprehend].

And as soon as He was alone, those who were around Him, with the Twelve [apostles], began to ask Him about the parables.

And He said to them, To you has been entrusted the mystery of the kingdom of God [that is, the secret counsels of God which are hidden from the ungodly]; but for those outside [of our circle] everything becomes a parable,

In order that they may [indeed] look and look but not see and perceive, and may hear and hear but not grasp and comprehend, lest haply they should turn again, and it [their willful rejection of the truth] should be forgiven them.

And He said to them, Do you not discern and understand this parable? How then is it possible for you to discern and understand all the parables?

The sower sows the Word.

The ones along the path are those who have the Word sown [in their hearts], but when they hear, Satan comes at once and [by force] takes away the message which is sown in them.

And in the same way the ones sown upon stony ground are those who, when they hear the Word, at once receive and accept and welcome it with joy;

And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away.

And the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word;

Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.

And those sown on the good (well-adapted) soil are the ones who hear the Word and receive and accept and welcome it and bear fruit—some thirty times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some [even] a hundred times as much.

And He said to them, Is the lamp brought in to be put under a peck measure or under a bed, and not [to be put] on the lampstand?

[Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation.] For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known.

If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him perceive and comprehend.

And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away [by force],

And He said, The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground,

And then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases—he knows not how.

The earth produces [acting] by itself—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth [the reapers] and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.

And He said, With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth;

Yet after it is sown, it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade.

With many such parables [Jesus] spoke the Word to them, as they were able to hear and to comprehend and understand.

He did not tell them anything without a parable; but privately to His disciples (those who were peculiarly His own) He explained everything [fully].

On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake].

And leaving the throng, they took Him with them, [just] as He was, in the boat [in which He was sitting]. And other boats were with Him.

And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.

But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing?

And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness).

He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?

And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?

And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

The sower soweth the word.

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

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.

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Again he began to teach by the sea, and a very large crowd gathered around him. So he got into a boat on the sea and sat down, while the whole crowd was by the sea on the shore.

He taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them,

“Listen! Consider the sower who went out to sow.

As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it grew up quickly, since the soil wasn’t deep.

When the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.

Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn’t produce fruit.

Still other seed fell on good ground and it grew up, producing fruit that increased thirty, sixty, and a hundred times.”

Then he said, “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”

When he was alone, those around him with the Twelve asked him about the parables.

He answered them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those outside, everything comes in parables

so that they may indeed look, and yet not perceive; they may indeed listen, and yet not understand; otherwise, they might turn back and be forgiven.”

Then he said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand all of the parables?

The sower sows the word.

Some are like the word sown on the path. When they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word sown in them.

And others are like seed sown on rocky ground. When they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy.

But they have no root; they are short-lived. When distress or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately fall away.

Others are like seed sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word,

but the worries of this age, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And those like seed sown on good ground hear the word, welcome it, and produce fruit thirty, sixty, and a hundred times what was sown.”

He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand?

For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and more will be added to you.

For whoever has, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

“The kingdom of God is like this,” he said. “A man scatters seed on the ground.

He sleeps and rises night and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how.

The soil produces a crop by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the full grain on the head.

As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it?

It’s like a mustard seed that, when sown upon the soil, is the smallest of all the seeds on the ground.

And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the garden plants, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its shade.”

He was speaking the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand.

He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, he explained everything to his own disciples.

On that day, when evening had come, he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.”

So they left the crowd and took him along since he was in the boat. And other boats were with him.

A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.

He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?”

He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Then he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Jesus began to teach beside the lake again. Such a large crowd gathered that he climbed into a boat there on the lake. He sat in the boat while the whole crowd was nearby on the shore.

He said many things to them in parables. While teaching them, he said,

“Listen to this! A farmer went out to scatter seed.

As he was scattering seed, some fell on the path; and the birds came and ate it.

Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep.

When the sun came up, it scorched the plants; and they dried up because they had no roots.

Other seed fell among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and choked the seeds, and they produced nothing.

Other seed fell into good soil and bore fruit. Upon growing and increasing, the seed produced in one case a yield of thirty to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of one hundred to one.”

He said, “Whoever has ears to listen should pay attention!”

When they were alone, the people around Jesus, along with the Twelve, asked him about the parables.

He said to them, “The secret of God’s kingdom has been given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parables.

This is so that they can look and see but have no insight, and they can hear but not understand. Otherwise, they might turn their lives around and be forgiven.

“Don’t you understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?

The farmer scatters the word.

This is the meaning of the seed that fell on the path: When the word is scattered and people hear it, right away Satan comes and steals the word that was planted in them.

Here’s the meaning of the seed that fell on rocky ground: When people hear the word, they immediately receive it joyfully.

Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away.

Others are like the seed scattered among the thorny plants. These are the ones who have heard the word;

but the worries of this life, the false appeal of wealth, and the desire for more things break in and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.

The seed scattered on good soil are those who hear the word and embrace it. They bear fruit, in one case a yield of thirty to one, in another case sixty to one, and in another case one hundred to one.”

Jesus said to them, “Does anyone bring in a lamp in order to put it under a basket or a bed? Shouldn’t it be placed on a lampstand?

Everything hidden will be revealed, and everything secret will come out into the open.

Whoever has ears to listen should pay attention!”

He said to them, “Listen carefully! God will evaluate you with the same standard you use to evaluate others. Indeed, you will receive even more.

Those who have will receive more, but as for those who don’t have, even what they don’t have will be taken away from them.”

Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground,

then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how.

The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain.

Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvesttime.”

He continued, “What’s a good image for God’s kingdom? What parable can I use to explain it?

Consider a mustard seed. When scattered on the ground, it’s the smallest of all the seeds on the earth;

but when it’s planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all vegetable plants. It produces such large branches that the birds in the sky are able to nest in its shade.”

With many such parables he continued to give them the word, as much as they were able to hear.

He spoke to them only in parables, then explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them.

Later that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.”

They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along.

Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped.

But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?”

He got up and gave orders to the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” The wind settled down and there was a great calm.

Jesus asked them, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?”

Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Again Yeshua began to teach by the lake, but the crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there, while the crowd remained on shore at the water’s edge.

He taught them many things in parables. In the course of his teaching, he said to them:

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.

As he sowed, some seed fell alongside the path; and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed fell on rocky patches where there was not much soil. It sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow;

but when the sun rose, the young plants were scorched; and since their roots were not deep, they dried up.

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked it; so that it yielded no grain.

But other seed fell into rich soil and produced grain; it sprouted, and grew, and yielded a crop — thirty, sixty, even a hundred times what was sown.”

And he concluded, “Whoever has ears to hear with, let him hear!”

When Yeshua was alone, the people around him with the Twelve asked him about the parables.

He answered them, “To you the secret of the Kingdom of God has been given; but to those outside, everything is in parables,

so that they may be always looking but never seeing; always listening but never understanding. Otherwise, they might turn and be forgiven!”

Then Yeshua said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How will you be able to understand any parable?

The sower sows the message.

Those alongside the path where the message is sown are people who no sooner hear it than the Adversary comes and takes away the message sown in them.

Likewise, those receiving seed on rocky patches are people who hear the message and joyfully accept it at once;

but they have no root in themselves. So they hold out for a while, but as soon as some trouble or persecution arises on account of the message, they immediately fall away.

Others are those sown among thorns — they hear the message;

but the worries of the world, the deceitful glamor of wealth and all the other kinds of desires push in and choke the message; so that it produces nothing.

But those sown on rich soil hear the message, accept it and bear fruit — thirty, sixty or a hundredfold.”

He said to them, “A lamp isn’t brought in to be put under a bowl or under the bed, is it? Wouldn’t you put it on a lampstand?

Indeed, nothing is hidden, except to be disclosed; and nothing is covered up, except to come out into the open.

Those who have ears to hear with, let them hear!”

He also said to them, “Pay attention to what you are hearing! The measure with which you measure out will be used to measure to you — and more besides!

For anyone who has something will be given more; but from anyone who has nothing, even what he does have will be taken away.”

And he said, “The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground.

Nights he sleeps, days he’s awake; and meanwhile the seeds sprout and grow — how, he doesn’t know.

By itself the soil produces a crop — first the stalk, then the head, and finally the full grain in the head.

But as soon as the crop is ready, the man comes with his sickle, because it’s harvest-time.”

Yeshua also said, “With what can we compare the Kingdom of God? What illustration should we use to describe it?

It is like a mustard seed, which, when planted, is the smallest of all the seeds in the field;

but after it has been planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all the plants, with such big branches that the birds flying about can build nests in its shade.”

With many parables like these he spoke the message to them, to the extent that they were capable of hearing it.

He did not say a thing to them without using a parable; when he was alone with his own talmidim he explained everything to them.

That day, when evening had come, Yeshua said to them, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”

So, leaving the crowd behind, they took him just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him.

A furious windstorm arose, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was close to being swamped.

But he was in the stern on a cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, “Rabbi, doesn’t it matter to you that we’re about to be killed?”

He awoke, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind subsided, and there was a dead calm.

He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no trust even now?”

But they were terrified and asked each other, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the waves obey him?”

The next time Jesus taught beside Lake Galilee, a big crowd gathered. It was so large that he had to sit in a boat out on the lake, while the people stood on the shore.

He used stories to teach them many things, and this is part of what he taught:

Now listen! A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field.

While the farmer was scattering the seed, some of it fell along the road and was eaten by birds.

Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn't very deep.

But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have deep roots.

Some other seeds fell where thornbushes grew up and choked out the plants. So they did not produce any grain.

But a few seeds did fall on good ground where the plants grew and produced 30 or 60 or even 100 times as much as was scattered.

Then Jesus said, “If you have ears, pay attention.”

When Jesus was alone with the twelve apostles and some others, they asked him about these stories.

He answered: I have explained the secret about God's kingdom to you, but for others I can use only stories.

The reason is, “These people will look and look, but never see. They will listen and listen, but never understand. If they did, they would turn to God and be forgiven.”

Jesus then told them: If you don't understand this story, you won't understand any others.

What the farmer is spreading is really the message about the kingdom.

The seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message. But Satan soon comes and snatches it away from them.

The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it at once.

But they don't have roots, and they don't last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up.

The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message.

But they start worrying about the needs of this life. They are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything.

The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and welcome the message. They produce 30 or 60 or even 100 times as much as was planted.

Jesus also said: You don't light a lamp and put it under a clay pot or under a bed. Don't you put a lamp on a lampstand?

There is nothing hidden that will not be made public. There is no secret that will not be well known.

If you have ears, pay attention!

Listen carefully to what you hear! The way you treat others will be the way you will be treated—and even worse.

Everyone who has something will be given more. But people who don't have anything will lose what little they have.

Again Jesus said: God's kingdom is like what happens when a farmer scatters seed in a field.

The farmer sleeps at night and is up and around during the day. Yet the seeds keep sprouting and growing, and he doesn't understand how.

It is the ground that makes the seeds sprout and grow into plants that produce grain.

Then when harvest season comes and the grain is ripe, the farmer cuts it with a sickle.

Finally, Jesus said: What is God's kingdom like? What story can I use to explain it?

It is like what happens when a mustard seed is planted in the ground. It is the smallest seed in all the world.

But once it is planted, it grows larger than any garden plant. It even puts out branches that are big enough for birds to nest in its shade.

Jesus used many other stories when he spoke to the people, and he taught them as much as they could understand.

He did not tell them anything without using stories. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

That evening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let's cross to the east side.”

So they left the crowd, and his disciples started across the lake with him in the boat. Some other boats followed along.

Suddenly a storm struck the lake. Waves started splashing into the boat, and it was about to sink.

Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, “Teacher, don't you care that we're about to drown?”

Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm.

Jesus asked his disciples, “Why were you afraid? Don't you have any faith?”

Now they were more afraid than ever and said to each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

And again he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered together to him, so that going on board ship he sat in the sea, and all the crowd were close to the sea on the land.

And he taught them many things in parables. And he said to them in his doctrine,

Hearken: Behold, the sower went forth to sow.

And it came to pass as he sowed, one fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured it.

And another fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately it sprung up out [of the ground] because it had no depth of earth;

and when the sun arose it was burnt up, and because of its not having any root, it withered.

And another fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

And another fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and bore, one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred.

And he said, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, those about him with the twelve asked him [as to] the parables.

And he said to them, To you is given [to know] the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to them who are without, all things are done in parables,

that beholding they may behold and not see, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest it may be, they should be converted and they should be forgiven.

And he says to them, Do ye not know this parable? and how will ye be acquainted with all the parables?

The sower sows the word:

and these are they by the wayside where the word is sown, and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

And these are they in like manner who are sown upon the rocky places, who when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy,

and they have no root in themselves, but are for a time: then, tribulation arising, or persecution on account of the word, immediately they are offended.

And others are they who are sown among the thorns: these are they who have heard the word,

and the cares of life, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And these are they who have been sown on the good ground, such as hear the word and receive it, and bear fruit; one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred [fold].

And he said to them, Does the lamp come that it should be put under the bushel or under the couch? [Is it] not that it should be set upon the lamp-stand?

For there is nothing hidden which shall not be made manifest; nor does any secret thing take place, but that it should come to light.

If any one have ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said to them, Take heed what ye hear; with what measure ye mete, it shall be meted to you; and there shall be [more] added to you.

For whosoever has, to him shall be given; and he who has not, even what he has shall be taken from him.

And he said, Thus is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast the seed upon the earth,

and should sleep and rise up night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he does not know how.

The earth bears fruit of itself, first [the] blade, then an ear, then full corn in the ear.

But when the fruit is produced, immediately he sends the sickle, for the harvest is come.

And he said, How should we liken the kingdom of God, or with what comparison should we compare it?

As to a grain of mustard [seed], which, when it is sown upon the earth, is less than all seeds which are upon the earth,

and when it has been sown, mounts up and becomes greater than all herbs, and produces great branches, so that the birds of heaven can roost under its shadow.

And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear,

but without a parable spoke he not to them; and in private he explained all things to his disciples.

And on that day, when evening was come, he says to them, Let us go over to the other side:

and having sent away the crowd, they take him with [them], as he was, in the ship. But other ships also were with him.

And there comes a violent gust of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it already filled.

And *he* was in the stern sleeping on the cushion. And they awake him up and say to him, Teacher, dost thou not care that we are perishing?

And awaking up he rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Silence; be mute. And the wind fell, and there was a great calm.

And he said to them, Why are ye [thus] fearful? how [is it] ye have not faith?

And they feared [with] great fear, and said one to another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

And again He began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd is gathered-together with Him so that He, having gotten into a boat, sits-down in the sea [to teach]. And all the multitude were near the sea on the land.

And He was teaching them many things in parables. And He was saying to them in His teaching,

“Listen! Behold— the one sowing went out to sow.

And it came about during the sowing that some seed fell along the road. And the birds came and ate it up.

And other seed fell on the rocky place where it was not having much soil. And immediately it sprang-up because of not having a depth of soil.

And when the sun rose, it was scorched. And because of not having a root, it was dried-up.

And other seed fell into the thorns. And the thorns came-up and choked it, and it did not give fruit.

And others fell into the good soil, and were giving fruit while coming up and growing. And they were bearing thirty fold and sixty fold and a hundred fold”.

And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”.

And when He came-to-be alone, the ones around Him with the twelve were questioning Him as to the parables.

And He was saying to them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But all things come in parables to those outside

in order that while seeing, they may be seeing and not perceive, and while hearing, they may be hearing and not understanding, that they may not ever turn-back and it be forgiven them”.

And He says to them, “Do you not know this parable? And how will you understand all the parables?

The one sowing sows the word.

Now these people are the ones along the road, where the word is sown. And when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word having been sown into them.

And these people are the ones being sown the seed on the rocky places— who, when they hear the word, immediately are receiving it with joy.

And they do not have a root in themselves, but are temporary. Then affliction or persecution having come about because of the word, immediately they are caused-to-fall.

And other people are the ones being sown the seed into the thorns. These are the ones having heard the word—

and coming-in, the anxieties of the age and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires with respect to the other things are choking the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And those people are the ones having been sown the seed on the good soil, who are hearing the word and accepting it and bearing-fruit— thirty fold and sixty fold and a hundred fold”.

And He was saying to them, “The lamp does not come in order that it may be put under the basket or under the bed, does it? Is it not in order that it may be put on the lampstand?

For it is not hidden, except in order that it may be made-visible. Nor did it become hidden-away, but in order that it may come into visibility.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear”.

And He was saying to them, “Be watching what you listen-to. With what measure you measure, it will be measured to you— and it will be added to you.

For he who has— it will be given to him. And he who does not have— even what he has will be taken-away from him”.

And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like this: as-if a person would throw the seed upon the soil,

and would be sleeping and arising night and day, and the seed would be budding and growing-long— how, he does not know.

The soil bears-fruit by-itself — first grass, then a head, then a full grain in the head.

And whenever the fruit permits, immediately he sends-forth the sickle because the harvest has come”.

And He was saying, “How should we liken the kingdom of God, or with what parable may we present it?—

as a seed of a mustard-plant, which when it is sown upon the soil is being smaller than all the seeds upon the soil.

And when it is sown, it goes-up and becomes larger than all the garden-plants. And it makes large branches so that the birds of the heaven are able to be nesting under the shade of it”.

And with many such parables He was speaking the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

And He was not speaking to them apart from a parable. But He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.

And on that day, having become evening, He says to them, “Let us go to the other side”.

And having left the crowd, they take Him along as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him.

And a great storm of wind takes place. And the waves were throwing-over into the boat so that the boat was already being filled.

And He was in the stern on the cushion, sleeping. And they wake Him and say to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

And having awakened, He rebuked the wind, and said to the sea “Be still, be silenced”. And the wind stopped. And there was a great calm.

And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you not yet have faith?”

And they feared a great fear. And they were saying to one another, “Who then is this One, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

And again he began to teach by the sea side; and a great multitude was gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a ship, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude was upon the land by the sea side.

And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his doctrine:

Hear ye: Behold, the sower went out to sow.

And whilst he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate it up.

And other some fell upon stony ground, where it had not much earth; and it shot up immediately, because it had no depth of earth.

And when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

And some fell upon good ground; and brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased and yielded, one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred.

And he said: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, the twelve that were with him asked him the parable.

And he said to them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are done in parables:

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

And he saith to them: Are you ignorant of this parable? and how shall you know all parables?

He that soweth, soweth the word.

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown, and as soon as they have heard, immediately Satan cometh and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And these likewise are they that are sown on the stony ground: who when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy.

And they have no root in themselves, but are only for a time: and then when tribulation and persecution ariseth for the word they are presently scandalized.

And others there are who are sown among thorns: these are they that hear the word,

And the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts after other things entering in choke the word, and it is made fruitless.

And these are they who are sown upon the good ground, who hear the word, and receive it, and yield fruit, the one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred.

And he said to them: Doth a candle come in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

For there is nothing hid, which shall not be made manifest: neither was it made secret, but that it may come abroad.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said to them: Take heed what you hear. In what measure you shall mete, it shall be measured to you again, and more shall be given to you.

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, that also which he hath shall be taken away from him.

And he said: So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the earth,

And should sleep, and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring, and grow up whilst he knoweth not.

For the earth of itself bringeth forth fruit, first the blade, then the ear, afterwards the full corn in the ear.

And when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we compare it?

It is as a grain of mustard seed: which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth:

And when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches, so that the birds of the air may dwell under the shadow thereof.

And with many such parables, he spoke to them the word, according as they were able to hear.

And without parable he did not speak unto them; but apart, he explained all things to his disciples.

And he saith to them that day, when evening was come: Let us pass over to the other side.

And sending away the multitude, they take him even as he was in the ship: and there were other ships with him.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that the ship was filled.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, sleeping upon a pillow; and they awake him, and say to him: Master, doth it not concern thee that we perish?

And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: Peace, be still. And the wind ceased: and there was made a great calm.

And he said to them: Why are you fearful? have you not faith yet? And they feared exceedingly: and they said one to another: Who is this (thinkest thou) that both wind and sea obey him?

Another time Jesus began teaching by the lake, and a large crowd gathered around him. He got into a boat so that he could sit and teach from the lake. All the people stayed on the shore near the water.

Jesus used stories to teach them many things. One of his lessons included this story:

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow seed.

While he was scattering the seed, some of it fell by the road. The birds came and ate all that seed.

Other seed fell on rocky ground, where there was not enough dirt. It grew quickly there because the soil was not deep.

But then the sun rose and the plants were burned. They died because they did not have deep roots.

Some other seed fell among thorny weeds. The weeds grew and stopped the good plants from growing. So they did not make grain.

But some of the seed fell on good ground. There it began to grow, and it made grain. Some plants made 30 times more grain, some 60 times more, and some 100 times more.”

Then Jesus said, “You people who hear me, listen!”

Later, Jesus was away from the people. The twelve apostles and his other followers asked him about the stories.

Jesus said, “Only you can know the secret truth about God’s kingdom. But to those other people I tell everything by using stories.

I do this so that ‘They will look and look but never really see; they will listen and listen but never understand. If they saw and understood, they might change and be forgiven.’”

Then Jesus said to the followers, “Do you understand this story? If you don’t, how will you understand any story?

The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people.

Sometimes the teaching falls on the path. That is like some people who hear the teaching of God. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.

“Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it.

But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.

“Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching,

but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.

“And others are like the seed planted on the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.”

Then Jesus said to them, “You don’t take a lamp and hide it under a bowl or a bed, do you? Of course not. You put it on a lampstand.

Everything that is hidden will be made clear. Every secret thing will be made known.

You people who hear me, listen!

Think carefully about what you are hearing. God will know how much to give you by how much you understand now. But he will give you more than you deserve.

The people who have some understanding will receive more. But those who do not have much will lose even the small amount they have.”

Then Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like a man who plants seed in the ground.

The seed begins to grow. It grows night and day. It doesn’t matter whether the man is sleeping or awake, the seed still grows. He doesn’t know how it happens.

Without any help the ground produces grain. First the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in the head.

When the grain is ready, the man cuts it. This is the harvest time.”

Then Jesus said, “What can I use to show you what God’s kingdom is like? What story can I use to explain it?

God’s kingdom is like a mustard seed, which is smaller than any other seed on earth that you can plant.

But when you plant it, it grows and becomes the largest of all the plants in your garden. It has branches that are very big. The wild birds can come and make nests there and be protected from the sun.”

Jesus used many stories like these to teach the people. He taught them all they could understand.

He always used stories to teach them. But when he was alone with his followers, Jesus explained everything to them.

That day, at evening, Jesus said to his followers, “Come with me across the lake.”

So they left the crowd behind and went with Jesus in the boat he was already in. There were also other boats that went with them.

A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water.

Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”

Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.

He said to his followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were very afraid and asked each other, “What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the water obey him!”

Again, Jesus began to teach people near the edge of Lake Galilee. A large crowd came together to listen to him. So he went and sat in a boat that was on the water. The crowd of people stayed on the shore.

Jesus used stories to teach them many things. He said to them,

‘Listen to me! A farmer went out to plant seeds in his field.

While he was throwing the seeds, some of them fell on the path. The birds came and they ate those seeds.

Other seeds fell on ground which had many rocks. There was not much soil in that place. The seeds quickly began to grow, because the soil was not deep.

But when the sun rose, it burned the young plants. They soon died because they had not grown down well into the soil.

Other seeds fell among thorn bushes. Those bushes grew up with the young plants. They stopped the seeds from growing into strong plants. So the plants could not make any new seeds.

But some seeds fell on good soil. Good strong plants grew from these seeds. Some plants made 30 new seeds. Some plants made 60 new seeds. And some plants made 100 new seeds.’

Then Jesus said, ‘You have ears, so listen well to what I say!’

When Jesus was alone, the 12 apostles and other people who were there asked him about the stories.

Jesus replied, ‘God has let you understand how he rules in the lives of his people. But these other people only listen to stories.

This is so that: “They are always looking but they do not see clearly. They are always listening but they do not understand.” If they did understand, they would turn to God. Then God would forgive them.’

Then Jesus answered the people who had asked him about the story. ‘You should understand this story. If you do not understand it, you will not understand any of my stories.

The seeds are like the message from God. The farmer is like a person who tells people about that message.

Some seeds fell on the path. That is like some people who listen to the message. But then Satan comes and he quickly takes the message away from their minds.

Some of the seeds fell on soil with rocks in it. This is also like some people who hear God's message. These people are happy to believe it for a time.

But they are like plants that have not grown down well into the soil. So they only believe for a short time. They may have problems. Or because they obey God's message, other people may do bad things to them. When that happens, these people soon stop believing.

Some seeds fell among thorn bushes. This is like some other people who hear God's message.

But they have many troubles in their minds. They think that more money and other valuable things will make them happy. So they do not let God's message change them. They are like plants that do not grow well and make new seeds.

But some seeds fell on good soil. This is like other people who listen to the message from God. They understand the message and they believe it. These people are like good plants that grow well. From one seed, some good plants make 30 new seeds. Other good plants make 60 new seeds, and some good plants make 100 new seeds.’

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Nobody brings a lamp into a house and puts it under a pot or under a bed. You do not do that. You put it up on a high place.

God hides some things now. But there will be a time when people will see them. God keeps some things secret now. But there will be a time when people will understand those things.’

Then Jesus said, ‘You have ears, so listen well to what I say.’

Jesus then said, ‘Think carefully about the things that you hear. God will give to you in the same way that you give to other people. And you will receive even more.

A person who has received some things will receive more things. Some other people have nothing. They will lose even the little bit that they do have.’

Then Jesus said, ‘I will tell you a story about the kingdom of God. It is like this: A man throws seeds in his field.

Then he sleeps each night and he wakes up each day. The seeds start to grow into plants. They continue to grow. The man does not know how this happens.

The soil causes the plants to grow. The leaves of the plant grow first. Then the flowers appear. Then the plant makes new seeds.

When the new seeds have completely grown, the man will cut down the plants. It is time for him to take the seeds to use for food.’

Jesus said, ‘I will tell you another story about the kingdom of God. This story shows what the kingdom of God is like.

It is like this: A man takes a seed of the plant called mustard. He plants it in the soil. It is smaller than any other seed that people plant in the soil.

But when it starts to grow, it becomes bigger than the largest bush. It will have big branches. Then the birds will come and they will live there. They will build their nests in the shade of the branches.’

Jesus taught God's message to the people. He used many stories like these. He told the people as much as they could understand.

He always used stories to teach the people. Then he explained everything to his own disciples when he was alone with them.

On that same day, in the evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘We should go across the lake to the other side.’

So they went and left the crowd behind. Jesus was already in the boat. So the disciples took him across the lake. Some other boats also went with them.

Then a strong wind began to blow across the lake. Water began to go into the boat and fill it. Soon the boat was almost going under the water.

Jesus was in a comfortable place at the back of the boat. He was sleeping. The disciples woke him. They said to him, ‘Teacher, we will die here in the water! Please do something!’

Jesus woke up and he spoke strongly to the wind and to the water. ‘Be quiet!’ he said. ‘Stop!’ Then the wind stopped and the water became quiet again.

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You should not be afraid like that. You should trust me.’

But the disciples became very afraid. They said to each other, ‘Who is this man? Even the wind and the water obey him.’

Another time Jesus began to teach by the sea. Such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the sea. The whole crowd was on the seashore.

Then he taught them many things in parables. As he taught them, he said,

“Listen! There was a sower who went out to sow.

As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up right away because it did not have deep soil.

When the sun rose, it was scorched, and because it did not have much root, it withered.

Some seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, so it did not produce fruit.

Still other seed fell on good ground and yielded fruit, sprouting and growing and producing a crop: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred times as much as was sown.”

Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”

When Jesus was alone, those who were around him with the Twelve asked him about the parables.

He said to them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but everything comes in parables to those who are outside,

so that they will certainly see but not perceive, and they will certainly hear but not understand. Otherwise, they might turn and be forgiven.”

Then he asked them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables?

The sower sows the word.

These are the ones along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and immediately takes away the word that was sown in them.

Some are like the ones sown on rocky ground: as soon as they hear the word, they immediately welcome it with joy.

Yet since they have no root in themselves, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately fall away.

Still others are sown among the thorns. These are the ones who hear the word,

but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth and desires for other things enter in and choke the word, so it becomes unfruitful.

But the ones sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, accept it, and produce fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred times as much as was sown.”

He also said to them, “A lamp is not brought out to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Isn’t it placed on a lampstand?

For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

He went on to tell them, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you.

Yes, whoever has will be given more. And whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

He said, “The kingdom of God is like this: A man scatters seed on the ground,

and while he sleeps and rises, night and day, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

The ground produces fruit on its own: first the blade, then the head, then the full grain in the head.

When the crop is ready, he swings the sickle without delay, because the harvest has come.”

Then he said, “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or with what parable may we picture it?

It is like a mustard seed, which when sown on the ground is one of the smallest of all the seeds planted in the ground.

Yet when it is planted, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches so that the birds of the sky can nest under its shade.”

With many similar parables he continued to speak the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.

He did not speak to them without a parable. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.”

After leaving the crowd behind, the disciples took him along in the boat, just as he was. Other small boats also followed him.

A great windstorm arose, and the waves were splashing into the boat, so that the boat was quickly filling up.

Jesus himself was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to drown?”

Then he got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still lack faith?”

They were filled with awe and said to one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.

And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.

And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil.

And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.

Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.

And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,

so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”

And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

The sower sows the word.

And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.

And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy.

And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.

And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word,

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?

For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.

For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.

He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.

The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,

yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”

And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.

And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:

“Listen! A sower went out to sow.

And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil.

And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.

Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.

And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,

so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”

And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

The sower sows the word.

And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.

And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy.

And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.

And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word,

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?

For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.

For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.

He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.

The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,

yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”

And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Again Jesus began teaching by the lake [^Cthe Sea of Galilee]. A great crowd gathered around him, so he sat down in a boat near the shore. All the people stayed on the shore close to the water.

Jesus taught them many things, using ·stories [parables; see 3:23]. He said,

“Listen! A ·farmer [sower] went out to ·plant [sow] his seed.

While he was ·planting [sowing], some seed fell ·by the road [along the path], and the birds came and ate it up.

Some seed fell on rocky ground where there wasn’t much dirt. That seed ·grew [sprang up] very fast, because the ground was not deep.

But when the sun rose, the plants ·dried up [were scorched and withered] because they did not have deep roots.

Some other seed fell among thorny weeds, which grew and choked the good plants. So those plants did not produce ·a crop [grain].

Some other seed fell on good ground and began to grow. It got taller and produced ·a crop [grain]. Some plants made thirty times more, some made sixty times more, and some made a hundred times more.”

Then Jesus said, ·“Let those with ears use them and listen!” [^L“Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”]

Later, when Jesus was alone, the twelve apostles and others around him asked him about the ·stories [parables; see 3:23].

Jesus said, “·You can know [To you has been given] the secret about the kingdom of God. But to ·other people [outsiders] I tell everything by using ·stories [parables]

so that: ‘They will look and look, but they will not ·learn [perceive]. They will listen and listen, but they will not understand. ·If they did learn and understand [^LOtherwise], they ·would [might] ·come back [return] to me and be forgiven [Is. 6:9–10; cf. Is. 43:8; Jer. 5:21; Ezek. 12:2].’”

Then Jesus said to ·his followers [^Lthem], “Don’t you understand this ·story [parable]? If you don’t, how will you understand any ·story [parable; see 3:23]?

·The farmer plants God’s message in people [^LThe sower sows the word].

Sometimes the ·teaching [word; message] falls ·on the road [along the path]. This is like the people who hear the ·teaching of God [word; message], but Satan quickly comes and takes away the ·teaching [word; message] that was ·planted [sown] in them.

Others are like the seed ·planted [sown] on rocky ground. They hear the ·teaching [word; message] and quickly accept it with joy.

·But since they don’t allow the teaching to go deep into their lives [^LBut since they have no root in themselves], they keep it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the ·teaching they accepted [word; message], they quickly ·give up [fall away; stumble].

Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the ·teaching [word; message],

but the worries of this ·life [world; age], the ·temptation [deceitfulness; seduction] of wealth, and ·many other evil desires [desires for other things] ·keep the teaching from growing and producing fruit in their lives [^Lcome in and choke the word, making it unfruitful].

Others are like the seed ·planted [sown] in the good ground. They hear the ·teaching [word; message] and accept it. Then they grow and produce ·fruit [a crop]—sometimes thirty times more, sometimes sixty times more, and sometimes a hundred times more.”

Then Jesus said to them, “Do you hide a lamp under a ·bowl [basket] or under a bed? No! You put the lamp on a lampstand.

[For] Everything that is hidden will be ·made clear [revealed; disclosed] and every ·secret [concealed] thing will be ·made known [brought to light/into the open].

·Let those with ears use them and listen! [^L“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”]

[And he said to them,] “·Think carefully about [Pay attention to] what you hear. ·The way you give to others is the way God will give to you [or The standard you use to judge others will be the standard used for you; ^LWith the measure you measure, it will be measured to you], ·but God will give you even more [and even more will be added to you].

Those who ·have understanding [^Lhave] will be given more. But those who do not ·have understanding [^Lhave], even what they have will be taken away from them. [^CThe Greek does not say what they have; but the context suggests spiritual understanding to comprehend the mysteries of the kingdom (v. 11).]

Then Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is like someone who ·plants seed in [scatters seed on] the ground.

Night and day, whether the person is asleep or awake, the seed still [sprouts and] grows, but the person does not know how it grows.

By itself the earth produces grain. First the ·plant [blade; stalk] grows, then the head, and then ·all the [the ripe] grain in the head.

When the grain is ready, the farmer cuts it [with a sickle], because this is the harvest time.”

Then Jesus said, “How can I show you what the kingdom of God is like? What ·story [parable; see 3:23] can I use to explain it?

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the smallest seed you plant in the ground. [^CThe mustard seed was the smallest seed known to Jesus’ hearers.]

But when planted, this seed grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants. It produces large branches, and the wild birds can make nests in its shade.”

Jesus used many ·stories [parables] like these to teach the crowd God’s ·message [word]—as much as they could ·understand [hear].

He always used ·stories [parables] to teach them. But when he and his ·followers [disciples] were alone, Jesus explained everything to them.

That evening, Jesus said to ·his followers [^Lthem], “Let’s go across the lake.”

Leaving the crowd behind, they took him in the boat just as he was [^Cmeaning he was already in the boat; 4:1]. There were also other boats with them.

A very strong wind came up on the lake. The waves came over the sides and into the boat so that it was ·already full of water [nearly swamped].

Jesus was at the ·back of the boat [stern], sleeping on a cushion. ·His followers [^LThey] woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are ·drowning [perishing]?”

Jesus stood up and ·commanded [reprimanded; rebuked] the wind and said to the ·waves [sea], “·Quiet! [^TPeace!] Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and it became completely calm. [^CThis parallels God’s subduing of the waters representing chaos in the OT; Ps. 65:7; 89:9; 107:29.]

Jesus said to ·his followers [^Lthem], “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were ·very afraid [terrified; filled with awe] and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the ·waves [sea] obey him!”

4 The parable of the sower. 14 And the meaning thereof. 18 Thorns. 21 The candle. 26 Of him that sowed, and then slept. 31 The grain of mustard seed. 38 Christ sleepeth in the ship. And he began again to teach by the seaside, and there gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea, and all the people was by the seaside on the land.

And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Hearken: Behold, there went out a sower to sow.

And it came to pass as he sowed, that some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the heaven came, and devoured it up.

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and by and by sprang up, because it had not depth of earth.

But as soon as the Sun was up, it was burnt up, and because it had not root, it withered away.

And some fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, so that it gave no fruit.

Some again fell in good ground, and did yield fruit that sprung up, and grew, and it brought forth, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some an hundredfold.

Then he said unto them, He that hath ears, to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve, asked him of the parable.

And he said unto them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things be done in parables,

That they seeing, may see, and not discern: and they hearing, may hear, and not understand, lest at any time they should turn, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Again he said unto them, Perceive ye not this parable? how then should ye understand all other parables?

The sower soweth the word.

And these are they that receive the seed by the wayside, in whom the word is sown: but when they have heard it, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And likewise they that receive the seed in stony ground, are they, which when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with gladness.

Yet have they no root in themselves, and endure but a time: fo r when trouble and persecution ariseth for the word, immediately they be offended.

Also they that receive the seed among the thorns, are such as hear the word:

But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things enter in, and choke the word, and it is unfruitful.

But they that have received seed in good ground, are they that hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit: one corn thirty, another sixty, and some an hundred.

¶ Also he said unto them, Cometh the candle in, to be put under a bushel, or under the bed, and not to be put in a candlestick?

For there is nothing hid, that shall not be opened, neither is there a secret, but that it shall come to light.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear. With what measure you mete, it shall be measured unto you: and unto you that hear, shall more be given.

For unto him that hath, shall it be given, and from him that hath not, shall be taken away even that he hath.

¶ Also he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed in the ground.

And should sleep, and rise up night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he not knowing how.

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of itself, first the blade, then the ears, after that full corn in the ears.

And as soon as the fruit showeth itself, anon he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

¶ He said moreover, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth, is the least of all seeds that be in the earth:

But after that it is sown, it groweth up, and is greatest of all herbs, and beareth great branches, so that the fowls of the heaven may build under the shadow of it.

And with many such parables he preached the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

And without parables spake he nothing unto them: but he expounded all things to his disciples apart.

¶ Now the same day when even was come, he said unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And they left the multitude, and took him as he was in the ship, and there was also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves dashed into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the stern asleep on a pillow: and they awoke him, and said to him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose up, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, and be still. So the wind ceased, and it was a great calm.

Then he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, Who is this, that both the wind and sea obey him?

Jesus began to teach again by the Sea of Galilee. A very large crowd gathered around him, so he got into a boat and sat in it. The boat was in the water while the entire crowd lined the shore.

He used stories as illustrations to teach them many things. While he was teaching them, he said,

“Listen! A farmer went to plant seed.

Some seeds were planted along the road, and birds came and devoured them.

Other seeds were planted on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil. The plants sprouted quickly because the soil wasn’t deep.

When the sun came up, they were scorched. They didn’t have any roots, so they withered.

Other seeds were planted among thornbushes. The thornbushes grew up and choked them, and they didn’t produce anything.

But other seeds were planted on good ground, sprouted, and produced thirty, sixty, or one hundred times as much as was planted.”

He added, “Let the person who has ears listen!”

When he was alone with his followers and the twelve apostles, they asked him about the stories.

Jesus replied to them, “The mystery about God’s kingdom has been given ⌞directly⌟ to you. To those on the outside, it is given in stories:

‘They see clearly but don’t perceive. They hear clearly but don’t understand. They never return to me and are never forgiven.’ ”

Jesus asked them, “Don’t you understand this story? How, then, will you understand any of the stories I use as illustrations?

“The farmer plants the word.

Some people are like seeds that were planted along the road. Whenever they hear the word, Satan comes at once and takes away the word that was planted in them.

Other people are like seeds that were planted on rocky ground. Whenever they hear the word, they accept it at once with joy.

But they don’t develop any roots. They last for a short time. When suffering or persecution comes along because of the word, they immediately fall ⌞from faith⌟.

Other people are like seeds planted among thornbushes. They hear the word,

but the worries of life, the deceitful pleasures of riches, and the desires for other things take over. They choke the word so that it can’t produce anything.

Others are like seeds planted on good ground. They hear the word, accept it, and produce crops—thirty, sixty, or one hundred times as much as was planted.”

Jesus said to them, “Does anyone bring a lamp into a room to put it under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a lamp stand?

There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. There is nothing kept secret that will not come to light.

Let the person who has ears listen!”

He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you’re listening to! ⌞Knowledge⌟ will be measured out to you by the measure ⌞of attention⌟ you give. This is the way knowledge increases.

Those who understand ⌞these mysteries⌟ will be given ⌞more knowledge⌟. However, some people don’t understand ⌞these mysteries⌟. Even what they understand will be taken away from them.”

Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seeds on the ground.

He sleeps at night and is awake during the day. The seeds sprout and grow, although the man doesn’t know how.

The ground produces grain by itself. First the green blade appears, then the head, then the head full of grain.

As soon as the grain is ready, he cuts it with a sickle, because harvest time has come.”

Jesus asked, “How can we show what God’s kingdom is like? To what can we compare it?

It’s like a mustard seed planted in the ground. The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds on earth.

However, when planted, it comes up and becomes taller than all the garden plants. It grows such large branches that birds can nest in its shade.”

Jesus spoke ⌞God’s⌟ word to them using many illustrations like these. In this way people could understand what he taught.

He did not speak to them without using an illustration. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

That evening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side.”

Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus along in a boat just as he was. Other boats were with him.

A violent windstorm came up. The waves were breaking into the boat so that it was quickly filling up.

But he was sleeping on a cushion in the back of the boat. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to die?”

Then he got up, ordered the wind to stop, and said to the sea, “Be still, absolutely still!” The wind stopped blowing, and the sea became very calm.

He asked them, “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith yet?”

They were overcome with fear and asked each other, “Who is this man? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Again Jesus began to teach beside Lake Galilee. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it. The boat was out in the water, and the crowd stood on the shore at the water's edge.

He used parables to teach them many things, saying to them:

“Listen! Once there was a man who went out to sow grain.

As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Some of it fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The seeds soon sprouted, because the soil wasn't deep.

Then, when the sun came up, it burned the young plants; and because the roots had not grown deep enough, the plants soon dried up.

Some of the seed fell among thorn bushes, which grew up and choked the plants, and they didn't bear grain.

But some seeds fell in good soil, and the plants sprouted, grew, and bore grain: some had thirty grains, others sixty, and others one hundred.”

And Jesus concluded, “Listen, then, if you have ears!”

When Jesus was alone, some of those who had heard him came to him with the twelve disciples and asked him to explain the parables.

“You have been given the secret of the Kingdom of God,” Jesus answered. “But the others, who are on the outside, hear all things by means of parables,

so that, ‘They may look and look, yet not see; they may listen and listen, yet not understand. For if they did, they would turn to God, and he would forgive them.’”

Then Jesus asked them, “Don't you understand this parable? How, then, will you ever understand any parable?

The sower sows God's message.

Some people are like the seeds that fall along the path; as soon as they hear the message, Satan comes and takes it away.

Other people are like the seeds that fall on rocky ground. As soon as they hear the message, they receive it gladly.

But it does not sink deep into them, and they don't last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once.

Other people are like the seeds sown among the thorn bushes. These are the ones who hear the message,

but the worries about this life, the love for riches, and all other kinds of desires crowd in and choke the message, and they don't bear fruit.

But other people are like seeds sown in good soil. They hear the message, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Jesus continued, “Does anyone ever bring in a lamp and put it under a bowl or under the bed? Isn't it put on the lampstand?

Whatever is hidden away will be brought out into the open, and whatever is covered up will be uncovered.

Listen, then, if you have ears!”

He also said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear! The same rules you use to judge others will be used by God to judge you—but with even greater severity.

Those who have something will be given more, and those who have nothing will have taken away from them even the little they have.”

Jesus went on to say, “The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed in his field.

He sleeps at night, is up and about during the day, and all the while the seeds are sprouting and growing. Yet he does not know how it happens.

The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit; first the tender stalk appears, then the head, and finally the head full of grain.

When the grain is ripe, the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come.

“What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?” asked Jesus. “What parable shall we use to explain it?

It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground.

After a while it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants. It puts out such large branches that the birds come and make their nests in its shade.”

Jesus preached his message to the people, using many other parables like these; he told them as much as they could understand.

He would not speak to them without using parables, but when he was alone with his disciples, he would explain everything to them.

On the evening of that same day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.”

So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were there too.

Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water.

Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples woke him up and said, “Teacher, don't you care that we are about to die?”

Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, “Be quiet!” and he said to the waves, “Be still!” The wind died down, and there was a great calm.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith?”

But they were terribly afraid and began to say to one another, “Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Again He began to teach by the sea, and a very large crowd gathered around Him. So He got into a boat on the sea and sat down, while the whole crowd was on the shore facing the sea.

He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said to them:

“Listen! Consider the sower who went out to sow.

As he sowed, this occurred: Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it sprang up right away, since it didn’t have deep soil.

When the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it didn’t have a root, it withered.

Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn’t produce a crop.

Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop that increased 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.”

Then He said, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!”

When He was alone with the Twelve, those who were around Him asked Him about the parables.

He answered them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those outside, everything comes in parables

so that they may look and look, yet not perceive; they may listen and listen, yet not understand; otherwise, they might turn back— and be forgiven. ”

Then He said to them: “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables?

The sower sows the word.

These are the ones along the path where the word is sown: when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word sown in them.

And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy.

But they have no root in themselves; they are short-lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately stumble.

Others are sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word,

but the worries of this age, the seduction of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word, welcome it, and produce a crop: 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.”

He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand?

For nothing is concealed except to be revealed, and nothing hidden except to come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen!”

Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured and added to you.

For to the one who has, it will be given, and from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”

“The kingdom of God is like this,” He said. “A man scatters seed on the ground;

he sleeps and rises—night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—he doesn’t know how.

The soil produces a crop by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the ripe grain on the head.

But as soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

And He said: “How can we illustrate the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it?

It’s like a mustard seed that, when sown in the soil, is smaller than all the seeds on the ground.

And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the vegetables, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its shade.”

He would speak the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand.

And He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, He would explain everything to His own disciples.

On that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.”

So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him.

A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.

But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?”

He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?”

And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Another time Jesus began teaching by the lake. A great crowd gathered around him. So he got into a boat and went out on the lake. All the people stayed on the shore close to the water.

Jesus used many stories to teach them. He said,

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant his seed.

While the farmer was planting, some seed fell by the road. The birds came and ate all that seed.

Some seed fell on rocky ground where there wasn’t much dirt. The seed grew very fast there because the ground was not deep.

But when the sun rose, the plants withered. The plants died because they did not have deep roots.

Some other seed fell among thorny weeds. The weeds grew and choked the good plants. So those plants did not make grain.

Some other seed fell on good ground. In the good ground, the seed began to grow. It grew and made a crop of grain. Some plants made 30 times more grain, some 60 times more grain, and some 100 times more grain.”

Then Jesus said, “Let those with ears use them and listen!”

Later, when Jesus was alone, the 12 apostles and others around him asked him about the stories.

Jesus said, “Only you can know the secret truth about the kingdom of God. But to other people I tell everything by using stories.

I do this so that: ‘They will look and look, but they will not learn. They will listen and listen, but they will not understand. If they did learn and understand, they would come back to me and be forgiven.’” Isaiah 6:9-10

Then Jesus said to the followers, “Do you understand this story? If you don’t, then how will you understand any story?

The farmer is like a person who plants God’s teaching in people.

Sometimes the teaching falls on the road. This is like some people. They hear the teaching of God. But Satan quickly comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.

Others are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching and quickly accept it with joy.

But they don’t allow the teaching to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching, they quickly give up.

Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching.

But then other things come into their lives: worries, the love of money, and wanting all kinds of other things. These things stop the teaching from growing. So that teaching does not produce fruit in their lives.

Others are like the seed planted in the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce fruit—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.”

Then Jesus said to them, “Do you hide a lamp under a bowl or under a bed? No! You put the lamp on a lampstand.

Everything that is hidden will be made clear. Every secret thing will be made known.

Let those with ears use them and listen!

“Think carefully about the things you hear. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you. But God will give you more than you give.

The person who has something will be given more. But the person who does not have much, even what he has will be taken from him.”

Then Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who plants seed in the ground.

The seed comes up and grows night and day. It doesn’t matter whether the man is asleep or awake; the seed still grows. The man does not know how it grows.

Without any help, the earth produces grain. First the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in the head.

When the grain is ready, the man cuts it. This is the harvest time.”

Then Jesus said, “How can I show you what the kingdom of God is like? What story can I use to explain it?

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. The mustard seed is the smallest seed you plant in the ground.

But when you plant this seed, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants. It produces large branches. Even the wild birds can make nests in it and be protected from the sun.”

Jesus used many stories like these to teach them. He taught them all that they could understand.

He always used stories to teach them. But when he and his followers were alone together, Jesus explained everything to them.

That evening, Jesus said to his followers, “Come with me across the lake.”

He and the followers left the people there. They went in the boat that Jesus was already sitting in. There were also other boats with them.

A very strong wind came up on the lake. The waves began coming over the sides and into the boat. It was almost full of water.

Jesus was at the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went to him and woke him. They said, “Teacher, do you care about us? We will drown!”

Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and the waves to stop. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.

Jesus said to his followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The followers were very afraid and asked each other, “What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Then Jesus began to teach again beside the sea. Such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while the entire crowd remained beside the sea on the shore.

He began teaching them many things in parables. While he was teaching them he said,

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow.

As he was sowing, some seeds fell along the path, and birds came and ate them up.

Others fell on stony ground, where they didn’t have a lot of soil. They sprouted at once, because the soil wasn’t deep.

But when the sun came up, they were scorched. Since they didn’t have any roots, they dried up.

Others fell among thorn bushes, and the thorn bushes came up and choked them out, and they didn’t produce anything.

But others fell on good soil and produced a crop. They grew up, increased in size, and produced 30, 60, or 100 times what was sown.”

He added, “Let the person who has ears to hear, listen!”

When he was alone with the Twelve and those around him, they began to ask him about the parables.

He told them, “The secret about the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside, everything comes in parables

so that ‘they may see clearly but not perceive, and they may hear clearly but not understand, otherwise they might turn around and be forgiven.’”

Then he told them, “You don’t understand this parable, so how can you understand any of the parables?

The farmer sows the word.

Some people are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. When they hear it, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

Others are like the seeds sown on the stony ground. When they hear the word, at once they joyfully accept it,

but since they don’t have any roots, they last for only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes along because of the word, they immediately fall away.

Still others are like the seeds sown among the thorn bushes. These are the people who hear the word,

but the worries of life, the deceitful pleasures of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word so that it can’t produce a crop.

Others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, accept it, and produce crops—30, 60, or 100 times what was sown.”

Then Jesus told them, “A lamp isn’t brought indoors to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? It’s to be put on a lamp stand, isn’t it?

Nothing is hidden except for the purpose of having it revealed, and nothing is secret except for the purpose of having it come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!

He went on to say to them, “Pay attention to what you’re hearing! You will be evaluated by the same standard with which you do your evaluating, and still more will be given to you,

because whoever has something, will have more given to him. But whoever has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.”

He was also saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seeds on the ground.

He sleeps and gets up night and day while the seeds sprout and grow, although he doesn’t know how

the ground produces grain by itself—first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.

But when the grain is ripe, he immediately starts cutting with his sickle because the harvest time has come.”

He was also saying, “How can we show what the kingdom of God is like, or what parable can we use to describe it?

It’s like a mustard seed planted in the ground. Although it’s the smallest of all the seeds on earth,

when it’s planted it comes up and becomes larger than all the garden plants. It grows such large branches that the birds in the sky can nest in its shade.”

With many other parables like these, Jesus kept speaking his message to them according to their ability to understand.

He did not tell them anything without using a parable, though he explained everything to his disciples in private.

That day, when evening had come, he told them, “Let’s cross to the other side.”

So they left the crowd and took him away in a boat without making any special preparations. Other boats were with him.

A violent windstorm came up, and the waves began breaking into the boat, so that the boat was rapidly becoming swamped.

But Jesus was in the back of the boat, asleep on a cushion. So they woke him up and asked him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to die?”

Then he got up, rebuked the wind, and told the sea, “Calm down! Be still!” Then the wind stopped blowing, and there was a great calm.

He asked them, “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith yet?”

Overcome with fear, they kept saying to one another, “Who is this man? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Then once again he began to teach them by the lake-side. A bigger crowd than ever collected around him so that he got into the little boat on the lake and sat down, while the crowd covered the ground right up to the water’s edge. He taught them a great deal in parables, and in the course of his teaching he said, “Listen! A man once went out to sow his seed and as he sowed, some seed fell by the roadside and the birds came and gobbled it up. Some of the seed fell among the rocks where there was not much soil, and sprang up very quickly because there was no depth of earth. But when the sun rose it was scorched, and because it had no root, it withered away. And some of the seed fell among thorn-bushes and the thorns grew up and choked the life out of it, and it bore no crop. And there was some seed which fell on good soil, and when it grew, produced a crop which yielded thirty or sixty or even a hundred times as much as the seed.”

Then he added, “Every man who has ears should use them!”

Then when they were by themselves, his close followers and the twelve asked him about the parables, and he told them. “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those who do not know the secret, everything remains in parables, so that, ‘seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them’”.

Then he continued, “Do you really not understand this parable? Then how are you going to understand all the other parables? The man who sows, sows the message. As for those who are by the roadside where the message is sown, as soon as they hear it Satan comes at once and takes away what has been sown in their minds. Similarly, the seed sown among the rocks represents those who hear the message without hesitation and accept it joyfully. But they have no real roots and do not last—when trouble or persecution arises because of the message, they give up their faith at once. Then there are the seeds which were sown among thorn-bushes. These are the people who hear the message, but the worries of this world and the false glamour of riches and all sorts of other ambitions creep in and choke the life out of what they have heard, and it produces no crop in their lives. As for the seed sown on good soil, this means the men who hear the message and accept it and do produce a crop—thirty, sixty, even a hundred times as much as they received.”

Then he said to them, “Is a lamp brought into the room to be put under a bucket or underneath the bed? Surely its place is on the lamp-stand! There is nothing hidden which is not meant to be made perfectly plain one day, and there are no secrets which are not meant one day to be common knowledge. If a man has ears he should use them!”

“Be careful how you listen,” he said to them. “Whatever measure you use will be used towards you, and even more than that. For the man who has something will receive more. As for the man who has nothing, even his nothing will be taken away.”

Then he said, “The kingdom of God is like a man scattering seed on the ground and then going to bed each night and getting up every morning, while the seed sprouts and grows up, though he has no idea how it happens. The earth produces a crop without any help from anyone: first a blade, then the ear of corn, then the full-grown grain in the ear. And as soon as the crop is ready, he sends his reapers in without delay, for the harvest-time has come.”

Then he continued, “What can we say the kingdom of God is like? How shall we put it in a parable? It is like a tiny grain of mustard-seed which, when it is sown, is smaller than any seed that is ever sown. But after it is sown in the earth, it grows up and becomes bigger than any other plant. It shoots out great branches so that birds can come and nest in its shelter.”

So he taught them his message with many parables such as their minds could take in. He did not speak to them at all without using parables, although in private he explained everything to his disciples.

On the evening of that day, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.”

So they sent the crowd home and took him with them in the little boat in which he had been sitting, accompanied by other small craft. Then came a violent squall of wind which drove the waves aboard the boat until it was almost swamped. Jesus was in the stern asleep on the cushion. They awoke him with the words, “Master, don’t you care that we’re drowning?”

And he woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Hush now! Be still!” The wind dropped and everything was very still.

“Why are you so frightened? What has happened to your faith?! he asked them.

But sheer awe swept over them and they kept saying to each other, “Who ever can he be?—even the wind and the waves do what he tells them!”

¶ And he began again to teach by the sea side, and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship and sat in the sea, and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

And he taught them many things by parables and said unto them in his doctrine,

Hearken; Behold, the sower went out to sow;

and it came to pass as he sowed some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

And some fell on stony ground where it had not much earth, and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth;

but when the sun was up, it was scorched, and because it had no root, it withered away.

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

And other fell on good ground and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased and brought forth: some thirty and some sixty and some a hundred.

And he said unto them, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, those that were close to him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but unto those that are without, all these things are done in parables,

that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? How then will ye understand all the parables?

The sower is he who sows the word.

And these are those by the way side, in whom the word is sown, but when they have heard, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And likewise these are those who are sown on stony ground, who when they have heard the word immediately receive it with gladness

but have no root in themselves and are temporal; afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are those who are sown among thorns, such as hear the word,

and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And these are those who are sown in good ground, such as hear the word and receive it and bring forth fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

¶ And he also said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel or under the bed? and not to be set in the lampstand?

For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested; nor secret which shall not be exposed.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.

And he also said unto them, Take heed what ye hear; with the measure ye measure by, ye shall be measured by others, and unto you that hear shall more be added.

For he that has, to him shall be given; and he that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has.

He also said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground

and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring forth and grow up, he knows not how.

For the earth brings forth fruit of herself: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full grain in the ear.

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle because the harvest is come.

He also said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth;

but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs and shoots out great branches, so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

And with many such parables he spoke the word unto them as they were able to hear it.

But without a parable he did not speak unto them; and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

¶ And that same day, when evening was come, he said unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awoke him and said unto him, Master, dost thou not care that we perish?

And as he arose, he rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

The sower soweth the word.

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

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.

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

but when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

The sower soweth the word.

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

but when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

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.

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

And He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land.

And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,

“Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow;

and it happened that as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up.

And other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil.

And after the sun rose, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

And other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.

And other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they were yielding a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And when He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables.

And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, everything comes in parables,

so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, lest they return and be forgiven.”

And He *said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?

The sower sows the word.

And these are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown: when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.

And in a similar way, these are the ones being sown on the rocky places: those who, when hearing the word, immediately receive it with joy;

and they have no root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.

And others are those being sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word,

but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for anything else enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And those are the ones which were sown on the good soil: they who hear the word and accept it and are bearing fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

And He was saying to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be put on the lampstand?

For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And He was saying to them, “Beware what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you.

For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil;

and he sleeps and rises, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.

The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.

But when the grain is ripe, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

And He was saying, “How shall we compare the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smallest of all the seeds that are upon the soil,

yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes largest of all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade.”

And with many such parables He was speaking the word to them, as they were able to hear it;

and He was not speaking to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.

And on that day, when evening came, He *said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”

And leaving the crowd, they *took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.

And a great windstorm *arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat so that the boat was already filling up.

And Jesus Himself was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion; and they *got Him up and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

And He woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.

And He said to them, “Why are you so cowardly? Do you still have no faith?”

And they became very afraid and were saying to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

And again he began to teach beside the sea, and a very large crowd was gathered to him, so that he got into a boat and sat on the sea, and the whole crowd was at the sea on the land.

And he began to teach them many things in parables, and was saying to them in his teaching,

“Listen! Behold, the sower went out to sow.

And it happened that while he was sowing, some seed fell on the side of the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

And other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up at once, because it did not have any depth of soil.

And when the sun rose it was scorched, and because it did not have enough root, it withered.

And other seed fell among the thorn plants, and the thorn plants came up and choked it, and it did not produce grain.

And other seed fell on the good soil, and produced grain, coming up and increasing, and it bore a crop—one thirty and one sixty and one a hundred times as much.

And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear!”

And when he was alone, those around him together with the twelve began asking him about the parables.

And he said to them, “To you has been granted the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside everything is in parables,

so that ‘they may look closely and not perceive, and they may listen carefully and not understand, lest they turn and it be forgiven them.’”

And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? And how will you understand all the parables?

The sower sows the word.

And these are the ones beside the path where the word is sown, and whenever they hear it, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

And these are like the ones sown on the rocky ground, who whenever they hear the word immediately receive it with joy.

And they have no root in themselves, but are temporary. Then when affliction or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away.

And others are the ones sown among the thorn plants—these are the ones who hear the word,

and the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word and it becomes unproductive.

And those are the ones sown on the good soil, who hear the word and receive it and bear fruit—one thirty and one sixty and one a hundred times as much.”

And he said to them, “Surely a lamp is not brought so that it may be put under a bushel basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not so that it may be put on a lampstand?

For nothing is secret except so that it may be revealed, nor has become hidden except so that it will come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

And he said to them, “Take care what you hear! With the measure by which you measure out, it will be measured out to you, and will be added to you.

For whoever has, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

And he said, “The kingdom of God is like this: like a man scatters seed on the ground.

And he sleeps and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—he does not know how.

By itself the soil produces a crop: first the grass, then the head of grain, then the full grain in the head.

But when the crop permits, he sends in the sickle right away, because the harvest has come.”

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or by what parable can we present it?

It is like a mustard seed that when sown on the ground, although it is the smallest of all the seeds that are on the ground,

but when it is sown it grows up and becomes the largest of all the garden herbs, and sends out large branches so that the birds of the sky are able to nest in its shade.”

And with many parables such as these he was speaking the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

And he did not speak to them without a parable, but in private he explained everything to his own disciples.

And on that day, when it was evening, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

And leaving the crowd, they took him along, as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him.

And a great storm of wind developed, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already being filled with water.

And he was in the stern sleeping on the cushion, and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, is it not a concern to you that we are perishing?”

And he woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Be quiet! Be silent!” And the wind abated and there was a great calm.

And he said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you not yet have faith?”

And they were terribly frightened and began to say to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Once again an immense crowd gathered around him on the beach as he was teaching, so he got into a boat and sat down and talked from there.

His usual method of teaching was to tell the people stories. One of them went like this:

“Listen! A farmer decided to sow some grain. As he scattered it across his field,

some of it fell on a path, and the birds came and picked it off the hard ground and ate it.

Some fell on thin soil with underlying rock. It grew up quickly enough, but soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil.

Other seeds fell among thorns that shot up and crowded the young plants so that they produced no grain.

But some of the seeds fell into good soil and yielded thirty times as much as he had planted—some of it even sixty or a hundred times as much!

If you have ears, listen!”

Afterwards, when he was alone with the Twelve and with his other disciples, they asked him, “What does your story mean?”

He replied, “You are permitted to know some truths about the Kingdom of God that are hidden to those outside the Kingdom: ‘Though they see and hear, they will not understand or turn to God, or be forgiven for their sins.’

But if you can’t understand this simple illustration, what will you do about all the others I am going to tell?

“The farmer I talked about is anyone who brings God’s message to others, trying to plant good seed within their lives.

The hard pathway, where some of the seed fell, represents the hard hearts of some of those who hear God’s message; Satan comes at once to try to make them forget it.

The rocky soil represents the hearts of those who hear the message with joy,

but, like young plants in such soil, their roots don’t go very deep, and though at first they get along fine, as soon as persecution begins, they wilt.

“The thorny ground represents the hearts of people who listen to the Good News and receive it,

but all too quickly the attractions of this world and the delights of wealth, and the search for success and lure of nice things come in and crowd out God’s message from their hearts, so that no crop is produced.

“But the good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God’s message and produce a plentiful harvest for God—thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as was planted in their hearts.”

Then he asked them, “When someone lights a lamp, does he put a box over it to shut out the light? Of course not! The light couldn’t be seen or used. A lamp is placed on a stand to shine and be useful.

“All that is now hidden will someday come to light.

If you have ears, listen!

And be sure to put into practice what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand what I tell you.

To him who has shall be given; from him who has not shall be taken away even what he has.

“Here is another story illustrating what the Kingdom of God is like: “A farmer sowed his field

and went away, and as the days went by, the seeds grew and grew without his help.

For the soil made the seeds grow. First a leaf blade pushed through, and later the heads of wheat formed, and finally the grain ripened,

and then the farmer came at once with his sickle and harvested it.”

Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story shall I use to illustrate it?

It is like a tiny mustard seed! Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, yet it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can build their nests and be sheltered.”

He used many such illustrations to teach the people as much as they were ready to understand.

In fact, he taught only by illustrations in his public teaching, but afterwards, when he was alone with his disciples, he would explain his meaning to them.

As evening fell, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”

So they took him just as he was and started out, leaving the crowds behind (though other boats followed).

But soon a terrible storm arose. High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water and about to sink.

Jesus was asleep at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically they wakened him, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to drown?”

Then he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Quiet down!” And the wind fell, and there was a great calm!

And he asked them, “Why were you so fearful? Don’t you even yet have confidence in me?”

And they were filled with awe and said among themselves, “Who is this man, that even the winds and seas obey him?”

He went back to teaching by the sea. A crowd built up to such a great size that he had to get into an offshore boat, using the boat as a pulpit as the people pushed to the water’s edge. He taught by using stories, many stories.

“Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

When they were off by themselves, those who were close to him, along with the Twelve, asked about the stories. He told them, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works. But to those who can’t see it yet, everything comes in stories, creating readiness, nudging them toward a welcome awakening. These are people— Whose eyes are open but don’t see a thing, Whose ears are open but don’t understand a word, Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven.”

He continued, “Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way.

“The farmer plants the Word. Some people are like the seed that falls on the hardened soil of the road. No sooner do they hear the Word than Satan snatches away what has been planted in them.

“And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the Word, they respond with great enthusiasm. But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

“The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.

“But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.”

Jesus went on: “Does anyone bring a lamp home and put it under a bucket or beneath the bed? Don’t you put it up on a table or on the mantel? We’re not keeping secrets, we’re telling them; we’re not hiding things, we’re bringing them out into the open.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?

“Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”

Then Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows—he has no idea how it happens. The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. When the grain is fully formed, he reaps—harvest time!

“How can we picture God’s kingdom? What kind of story can we use? It’s like an acorn. When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge oak tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it.”

With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when he spoke. When he was alone with his disciples, he went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots.

Late that day he said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?”

Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?”

They were in absolute awe, staggered. “Who is this, anyway?” they asked. “Wind and sea at his beck and call!”

Again He began to teach by the seaside. A large crowd was gathered before Him, so that He entered a boat and sat in it on the sea. And the whole crowd was by the sea on the land.

He taught them many things in parables and said to them in His teaching:

“Listen! And take note: A sower went out to sow.

As he sowed, some seed fell beside the path, and the birds of the air came and devoured it.

Some seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and soon it sprang up because it did not have deep soil.

But when the sun rose, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.

Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.

And other seed fell on good ground, and it yielded grain that sprang up and increased by thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much.”

Then He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

When He was alone, those who were around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.

He said to them, “To you is given the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, everything is said in parables,

so that ‘seeing they may see, and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.’ ”

Then He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

The sower sows the word.

These are those beside the path, where the word is sown. But when they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word which is sown in their hearts.

Others, likewise, are seed sown on rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness,

but have no root in themselves, and so endure for a time. Afterward, when affliction or persecution rises for the word’s sake, immediately they fall away.

And others are seed sown among thorns, the ones who hear the word.

But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Still others are seed sown on good ground, those who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit: thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much.”

He said to them, “Is a candle brought to be put under a basket or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick?

For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed; neither is anything kept secret except to be proclaimed.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. The measure you give will be measured for you, and to you who hear will more be given.

For to him who has will more be given. And from him who has not will be taken, even what he has.”

He said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground.

He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he does not know how.

For the earth bears fruit by itself: first the blade, then the head, then the full seed in the head.

But when the grain is ripe, immediately he applies the sickle because the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God, or with what parable shall we compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest seed on earth.

Yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all shrubs, and shoots out great branches, so that the birds of the air may nest in its shade.”

With many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.

Without a parable He did not speak to them. But when they were alone, He expounded on all things to His disciples.

That same day, when the evening came, He said to them, “Let us go cross to the other side.”

When they had sent the crowd away, they took Him in the boat just as He was. There were also other little boats with Him.

A great wind storm arose, and the waves splashed into the boat, so that it was now filling the boat.

He was in the stern asleep on a pillow. They woke Him and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

He rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” Then the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is that you have no faith?”

They feared greatly and said to one another, “What kind of Man is He, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

· Again Jesus began to teach beside the lake. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there out on the lake while all the people were on shore by the edge of the water. ·

And he taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said to them: ·

“Listen! A sower went out · to sow.

And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and birds came · and ate it up.

· Other seed fell on · rocky ground where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up right away because · it had no depth of soil.

· When the sun came up, the plant was scorched, and because · it did not have a root, it withered away.

· Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it did not produce grain.

But other seed fell into · good soil · and produced grain, sprouting, · growing, and bearing thirty, · sixty, and even a hundredfold.”

And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him listen!”

· When he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

And he said to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to those · outside, everything is in parables, ·

so that ‘when they look, they may see yet not perceive, and when they listen, they may hear yet not understand; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’”

And he said to them, “Do you not understand · this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?

The sower sows the word.

These · are the ones on the path where the word is sown: · whenever they hear, Satan immediately comes · and carries off the word that was sown in them.

· These are the ones sown on · rocky ground: whenever they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy.

But they have no root in themselves and last for only a limited time. Then, when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away.

· Others are the ones sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word,

but the cares of the world, · the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for · many other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes barren.

· These are the ones sown on · good soil: · they hear the word, · accept it, and bear fruit—thirty, · sixty, and even a hundredfold.”

And he said to them, “A lamp is not brought · to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not to be put on a lampstand?

For nothing is hidden except to be disclosed; nor is anything concealed, except to come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!”

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By what measure you measure it will be measured out to you, and more will be added to you.

For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he does have will be taken away from him.”

And he said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters · seed on the ground.

· He goes to bed and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, although he does not know how.

The soil produces a crop all by itself: first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.

And when the grain is ripe, immediately he sends in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Then he said, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it?

It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is smaller than all of the seeds · on · earth.

Yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to nest in · its shade.”

So with many parables such as these he spoke the word to them, as they were able to understand.

And without a parable he did not speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he would explain everything.

· On that same day, when evening had come, he said to them, · “Let us go over to the other side.”

So after leaving the crowd, they took him with them, just as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him.

Now a fierce windstorm arose and the waves began to break into the boat, so that the boat was now filling.

But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. · They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

So he got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Be still! Settle down!” Then the wind died down and there was a great calm.

And he said to them, “Why are you so fearful? Have you still no faith?”

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Yeshua began to teach again by the Sea of Galilee. A very large crowd gathered around him, so he got into a boat and sat in it. The boat was in the water while the entire crowd lined the shore.

He used stories as illustrations to teach them many things. While he was teaching them, he said,

“Listen! A farmer went to plant seed.

Some seeds were planted along the road, and birds came and devoured them.

Other seeds were planted on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil. The plants sprouted quickly because the soil wasn’t deep.

When the sun came up, they were scorched. They didn’t have any roots, so they withered.

Other seeds were planted among thornbushes. The thornbushes grew up and choked them, and they didn’t produce anything.

But other seeds were planted on good ground, sprouted, and produced thirty, sixty, or one hundred times as much as was planted.”

He added, “Let the person who has ears listen!”

When he was alone with his followers and the twelve apostles, they asked him about the stories.

Yeshua replied to them, “The mystery about the kingdom of God has been given directly to you. To those on the outside, it is given in stories:

‘They see clearly but don’t perceive. They hear clearly but don’t understand. They never return to me and are never forgiven.’”

Yeshua asked them, “Don’t you understand this story? How, then, will you understand any of the stories I use as illustrations?

“The farmer plants the word.

Some people are like seeds that were planted along the road. Whenever they hear the word, Satan comes at once and takes away the word that was planted in them.

Other people are like seeds that were planted on rocky ground. Whenever they hear the word, they accept it at once with joy.

But they don’t develop any roots. They last for a short time. When suffering or persecution comes along because of the word, they immediately fall from faith.

Other people are like seeds planted among thornbushes. They hear the word,

but the worries of life, the deceitful pleasures of riches, and the desires for other things take over. They choke the word so that it can’t produce anything.

Others are like seeds planted on good ground. They hear the word, accept it, and produce crops—thirty, sixty, or one hundred times as much as was planted.”

Yeshua said to them, “Does anyone bring a lamp into a room to put it under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a lamp stand?

There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. There is nothing kept secret that will not come to light.

Let the person who has ears listen!”

He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you’re listening to! Knowledge will be measured out to you by the measure of attention you give. This is the way knowledge increases.

Those who understand these mysteries will be given more knowledge. However, some people don’t understand these mysteries. Even what they understand will be taken away from them.”

Yeshua said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seeds on the ground.

He sleeps at night and is awake during the day. The seeds sprout and grow, although the man doesn’t know how.

The ground produces grain by itself. First the green blade appears, then the head, then the head full of grain.

As soon as the grain is ready, he cuts it with a sickle, because harvest time has come.”

Yeshua asked, “How can we show what the kingdom of God is like? To what can we compare it?

It’s like a mustard seed planted in the ground. The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds on earth.

However, when planted, it comes up and becomes taller than all the garden plants. It grows such large branches that birds can nest in its shade.”

Yeshua spoke God’s word to them using many illustrations like these. In this way people could understand what he taught.

He did not speak to them without using an illustration. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

That evening, Yeshua said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side.”

Leaving the crowd, they took Yeshua along in a boat just as he was. Other boats were with him.

A violent windstorm came up. The waves were breaking into the boat so that it was quickly filling up.

But he was sleeping on a cushion in the back of the boat. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to die?”

Then he got up, ordered the wind to stop, and said to the sea, “Be still, absolutely still!” The wind stopped blowing, and the sea became very calm.

He asked them, “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith yet?”

They were overcome with fear and asked each other, “Who is this man? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

On another occasion he began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land.

And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them,

“Hear this! A sower went out to sow.

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.

And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain.

And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables.

He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables,

so that ‘they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.’”

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

The sower sows the word.

These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them.

And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy.

But they have no root; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word,

but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.

But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?

For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.

Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”

He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.

To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

He said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land

and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.

Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it?

It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.

Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side.”

Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him.

A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm.

Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

Again He began to teach by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat on the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land.

And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,

“Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow;

as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil.

And when the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.

Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.”

And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve disciples, began asking Him about the parables.

And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but for those who are outside, everything comes in parables,

so that while seeing they may see, and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear, and not understand, otherwise they might return and it would be forgiven them.”

And He *said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?

The sower sows the word.

These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.

And in a similar way these are the ones sown with seed on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy;

and yet they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately they fall away.

And others are the ones sown with seed among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word,

but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And those are the ones sown with seed on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.”

And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed, is it? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?

For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.

For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil;

and he goes to bed at night and gets up daily, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.

The soil produces crops by itself; first the stalk, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.

Now when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

And He was saying, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is the smallest of all the seeds that are upon the soil,

yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants, and forms large branches, with the result that the birds of the sky can nest under its shade.”

And with many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to understand it;

and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.

On that day, when evening came, He *said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.”

After dismissing the crowd, they *took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.

And a fierce gale of wind *developed, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling with water.

And yet Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.

And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who, then, is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land.

And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,

“Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow;

as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil.

And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.

Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables.

And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables,

so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven.”

And He *said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?

The sower sows the word.

These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.

In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy;

and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.

And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word,

but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?

For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.

For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil;

and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.

The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.

But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil,

yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade.”

With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it;

and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.

On that day, when evening came, He *said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”

Leaving the crowd, they *took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.

And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.

Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.

And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

On another occasion he began to teach by the side of the lake. However, such a large crowd gathered that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while the whole crowd gathered on the shore facing the lake.

Then he taught them many things in parables. In the course of his teaching, he said to them:

“Listen! A sower went out to sow.

As he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. It sprouted quickly, since the soil had no depth,

but when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it lacked roots, it withered away.

Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop.

But some seed fell onto rich soil and brought forth grain, increasing and yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundred times what was sown.”

He then added, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

When he was alone, the Twelve and his other companions asked him about the parables.

He told them, “To you has been granted knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to those outside, everything comes in parables,

so that ‘they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but fail to understand, lest they be converted and be forgiven.’ ”

He went on to say to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then are you to understand any of the parables?

What the sower is sowing is the word.

“Some people are like seed that falls along the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan immediately comes and carries off the word that has been sown in them.

“Others are like the seed sown on rocky ground. As soon as they hear the word they immediately receive it with joy.

But they have no deep root and they endure for only a short time. When some trial or tribulation arises on account of the word, they immediately fall away.

“Those sown among thorns are the ones who hear the word,

but worldly cares, the lure of riches, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.

“But those sown in rich soil are those who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit and yield thirty or sixty or a hundred times what was sown.”

He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? To the contrary, it is placed on a lampstand.

For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing is secret that will not be brought to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

He also told them, “Pay careful attention to what you hear. The measure you give will be the measure you will receive, and you will receive more in addition.

To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who does not have, even what little he has will be taken away.”

He went on to say, “The kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed on the ground.

Night and day, while he sleeps and while he is awake, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not understand how.

The ground produces fruit of its own accord—first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

And when the crop is ripe, he immediately stretches out the sickle, because the time for harvest has come.”

He then said, “With what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to explain it?

It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the greatest of all plants, and it puts forth large branches so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables as these he spoke the word to them so far as they were able to comprehend it.

He never spoke to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were by themselves.

On that day, as evening approached, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

And so, leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. Some other boats joined them.

Suddenly, a great storm came up, and the waves were crashing over the boat so that it was almost swamped.

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They awakened him and said, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Then he stood up and rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

He said to them, “Why are you so frightened? Are you still without faith?”

They were filled with awe and said to one another, “Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.”

Again Jesus began teaching by the lake. A great crowd gathered around him, so he sat down in a boat near the shore. All the people stayed on the shore close to the water.

Jesus taught them many things, using stories. He said,

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant his seed.

While he was planting, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and ate it up.

Some seed fell on rocky ground where there wasn’t much dirt. That seed grew very fast, because the ground was not deep.

But when the sun rose, the plants dried up because they did not have deep roots.

Some other seed fell among thorny weeds, which grew and choked the good plants. So those plants did not produce a crop.

Some other seed fell on good ground and began to grow. It got taller and produced a crop. Some plants made thirty times more, some made sixty times more, and some made a hundred times more.”

Then Jesus said, “Let those with ears use them and listen!”

Later, when Jesus was alone, the twelve apostles and others around him asked him about the stories.

Jesus said, “You can know the secret about the kingdom of God. But to other people I tell everything by using stories

so that: ‘They will look and look, but they will not learn. They will listen and listen, but they will not understand. If they did learn and understand, they would come back to me and be forgiven.’” Isaiah 6:9–10

Then Jesus said to his followers, “Don’t you understand this story? If you don’t, how will you understand any story?

The farmer is like a person who plants God’s message in people.

Sometimes the teaching falls on the road. This is like the people who hear the teaching of God, but Satan quickly comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.

Others are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching and quickly accept it with joy.

But since they don’t allow the teaching to go deep into their lives, they keep it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they quickly give up.

Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching,

but the worries of this life, the temptation of wealth, and many other evil desires keep the teaching from growing and producing fruit in their lives.

Others are like the seed planted in the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce fruit—sometimes thirty times more, sometimes sixty times more, and sometimes a hundred times more.”

Then Jesus said to them, “Do you hide a lamp under a bowl or under a bed? No! You put the lamp on a lampstand.

Everything that is hidden will be made clear and every secret thing will be made known.

Let those with ears use them and listen!

“Think carefully about what you hear. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you, but God will give you even more.

Those who have understanding will be given more. But those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them.”

Then Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is like someone who plants seed in the ground.

Night and day, whether the person is asleep or awake, the seed still grows, but the person does not know how it grows.

By itself the earth produces grain. First the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in the head.

When the grain is ready, the farmer cuts it, because this is the harvest time.”

Then Jesus said, “How can I show you what the kingdom of God is like? What story can I use to explain it?

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the smallest seed you plant in the ground.

But when planted, this seed grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants. It produces large branches, and the wild birds can make nests in its shade.”

Jesus used many stories like these to teach the crowd God’s message—as much as they could understand.

He always used stories to teach them. But when he and his followers were alone, Jesus explained everything to them.

That evening, Jesus said to his followers, “Let’s go across the lake.”

Leaving the crowd behind, they took him in the boat just as he was. There were also other boats with them.

A very strong wind came up on the lake. The waves came over the sides and into the boat so that it was already full of water.

Jesus was at the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a cushion. His followers woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are drowning!”

Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and it became completely calm.

Jesus said to his followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The followers were very afraid and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Again he began to teach by the lake. Such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there while the whole crowd was on the shore by the lake.

He taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching said to them:

“Listen! A sower went out to sow.

And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

Other seed fell on rocky ground where it did not have much soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.

When the sun came up it was scorched, and because it did not have sufficient root, it withered.

Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up and choked it, and it did not produce grain.

But other seed fell on good soil and produced grain, sprouting and growing; some yielded thirty times as much, some sixty, and some a hundred times.”

And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear had better listen!”

When he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

He said to them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those outside, everything is in parables,

so that although they look they may look but not see, and although they hear they may hear but not understand, so they may not repent and be forgiven.”

He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? Then how will you understand any parable?

The sower sows the word.

These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: Whenever they hear, immediately Satan comes and snatches the word that was sown in them.

These are the ones sown on rocky ground: As soon as they hear the word, they receive it with joy.

But they have no root in themselves and do not endure. Then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away.

Others are the ones sown among thorns: They are those who hear the word,

but worldly cares, the seductiveness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it produces nothing.

But these are the ones sown on good soil: They hear the word and receive it and bear fruit, one thirty times as much, one sixty, and one a hundred.”

He also said to them, “A lamp isn’t brought to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Isn’t it to be placed on a lampstand?

For nothing is hidden except to be revealed, and nothing concealed except to be brought to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, he had better listen!”

And he said to them, “Take care about what you hear. The measure you use will be the measure you receive, and more will be added to you.

For whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

He also said, “The kingdom of God is like someone who spreads seed on the ground.

He goes to sleep and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

By itself the soil produces a crop, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.

And when the grain is ripe, he sends in the sickle because the harvest has come.”

He also asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it?

It is like a mustard seed that when sown in the ground, even though it is the smallest of all the seeds in the ground—

when it is sown, it grows up, becomes the greatest of all garden plants, and grows large branches so that the wild birds can nest in its shade.”

So with many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear.

He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.

On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.”

So after leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat, and other boats were with him.

Now a great windstorm developed and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped.

But he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?”

So he got up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Be quiet! Calm down!” Then the wind stopped, and it was dead calm.

And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?”

They were overwhelmed by fear and said to one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and sea obey him!”

Again Jesus began to teach by the Sea of Galilee. The crowd that gathered around him was very large. So he got into a boat. He sat down in it out on the lake. All the people were along the shore at the water’s edge.

He taught them many things using stories. In his teaching he said,

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant his seed.

He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path. Birds came and ate it up.

Some seed fell on rocky places, where there wasn’t much soil. The plants came up quickly, because the soil wasn’t deep.

When the sun came up, it burned the plants. They dried up because they had no roots.

Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and crowded out the plants. So the plants did not bear grain.

Still other seed fell on good soil. It grew up and produced a crop 30, 60, or even 100 times more than the farmer planted.”

Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears should listen.”

Later Jesus was alone. The 12 disciples asked him about the stories. So did the others around him.

He told them, “The secret of God’s kingdom has been given to you. But to outsiders everything is told using stories.

In that way, “ ‘They will see but never know what they are seeing. They will hear but never understand. Otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’ ” (Isaiah 6:9,10)

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this story? Then how will you understand any stories of this kind?

The seed the farmer plants is God’s message.

What is seed scattered on a path like? The message is planted. The people hear the message. Then Satan comes. He takes away the message that was planted in them.

And what is seed scattered on rocky places like? The people hear the message. At once they receive it with joy.

But they have no roots. So they last only a short time. They quickly fall away from the faith when trouble or suffering comes because of the message.

And what is seed scattered among thorns like? The people hear the message.

But then the worries of this life come to them. Wealth comes with its false promises. The people also long for other things. All of these are the kinds of things that crowd out the message. They keep it from producing fruit.

And what is seed scattered on good soil like? The people hear the message. They accept it. They produce a good crop 30, 60, or even 100 times more than the farmer planted.”

Jesus said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a large bowl or a bed? Don’t you put it on its stand?

What is hidden is meant to be seen. And what is put out of sight is meant to be brought out into the open.

Whoever has ears should listen.”

“Think carefully about what you hear,” he said. “As you give, so you will receive. In fact, you will receive even more.

Whoever has something will be given more. Whoever has nothing, even what they have will be taken away from them.”

Jesus also said, “Here is what God’s kingdom is like. A farmer scatters seed on the ground.

Night and day the seed comes up and grows. It happens whether the farmer sleeps or gets up. He doesn’t know how it happens.

All by itself the soil produces grain. First the stalk comes up. Then the head appears. Finally, the full grain appears in the head.

Before long the grain ripens. So the farmer cuts it down, because the harvest is ready.”

Again Jesus said, “What can we say God’s kingdom is like? What story can we use to explain it?

It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.

But when you plant the seed, it grows. It becomes the largest of all garden plants. Its branches are so big that birds can rest in its shade.”

Using many stories like these, Jesus spoke the word to them. He told them as much as they could understand.

He did not say anything to them without using a story. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything.

When evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.”

They left the crowd behind. And they took him along in a boat, just as he was. There were also other boats with him.

A wild storm came up. Waves crashed over the boat. It was about to sink.

Jesus was in the back, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up. They said, “Teacher! Don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up and ordered the wind to stop. He said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down. And it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Don’t you have any faith at all yet?”

They were terrified. They asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge.

He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said:

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.

But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.

He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables

so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’”

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?

The farmer sows the word.

Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.

But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;

but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?

For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.

If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”

“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.

Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.

Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.

As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?

It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.

Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.

He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”

Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered round him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge.

He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said:

‘Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.

But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.’

Then Jesus said, ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.’

When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.

He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables

so that, ‘“they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!” ’

Then Jesus said to them, ‘Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?

The farmer sows the word.

Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.

But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;

but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop – some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.’

He said to them, ‘Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?

For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.

If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.’

‘Consider carefully what you hear,’ he continued. ‘With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more.

Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.’

He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.

Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

All by itself the soil produces corn – first the stalk, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

As soon as the corn is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.’

Again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?

It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.

Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.’

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.

He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’

Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’

They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’

And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea.

Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.

And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it.

Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.

But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.

And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.

But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.

And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,

so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”

And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

The sower sows the word.

And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.

Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,

and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?

For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.

For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground,

and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.

For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.

But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?

It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;

but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”

And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.

But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Jesus began to teach by the sea-shore again. Many people gathered around Him. There were so many He had to get into a boat and sit down. The people were on the shore.

He taught them many things by using picture-stories. As He taught, He said,

“Listen! A man went out to plant seed.

As he planted the seed, some fell by the side of the road. Birds came and ate them.

Some seed fell among rocks. It came up at once because there was so little ground.

But it dried up when the sun was high in the sky because it had no root.

Some seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew and did not give the seed room to grow. This seed gave no grain.

Some seed fell on good ground. It came up and grew and gave much grain. Some gave thirty times as much grain. Some gave sixty times as much grain. Some gave one hundred times as much grain.”

He said to them, “You have ears, then listen!”

Those who were with Jesus and the twelve followers came to Him when He was alone. They asked about the picture-story.

He said to them, “You were given the secrets about the holy nation of God. Everything is told in picture-stories to those who are outside the holy nation of God.

They see, but do not know what it means. They hear, but do not understand. If they did, they might turn to God and have their sins forgiven.”

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this picture-story? Then how will you understand any of the picture-stories?

What the man plants is the Word of God.

Those by the side of the road are the ones who hear the Word. As soon as they hear it, the devil comes and takes away the Word that is planted in their hearts.

The seed that fell among rocks is like people who receive the Word with joy when they hear it.

Their roots are not deep so they live only a short time. When sorrow and trouble come because of the Word, they give up and fall away.

The seed that was planted among thorns is like some people who listen to the Word.

But the cares of this life let thorns come up. A love for riches and always wanting other things let thorns grow. These things do not give the Word room to grow so it does not give grain.

The seed that fell on good ground is like people who hear the Word and understand it. They give much grain. Some give thirty times as much grain. Some give sixty times as much grain. Some give one hundred times as much grain.”

He said to them, “Is a lamp to be put under a pail or under a bed? Should it not be put on a lamp-stand?

Everything that is hidden will be brought into the light. Everything that is a secret will be made known.

You have ears, then listen!”

Jesus said to them, “Be careful what you listen to. The same amount you give will be given to you, and even more.

He who has, to him will be given. To him who does not have, even the little he has will be taken from him.”

He said, “The holy nation of God is like a man who plants seed in the ground.

He goes to sleep every night and gets up every day. The seed grows, but he does not know how.

The earth gives fruit by itself. The leaf comes first and then the young grain can be seen. And last, the grain is ready to gather.

As soon as the grain is ready, he cuts it. The time of gathering the grain has come.”

Jesus said, “In what way can we show what the holy nation of God is like? Or what picture-story can we use to help you understand?

It is like a grain of mustard seed that is planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds.

After it is put in the ground, it grows and becomes the largest of the spices. It puts out long branches so birds of the sky can live in it.”

As they were able to understand, He spoke the Word to them by using many picture-stories.

Jesus helped His followers understand everything when He was alone with them.

It was evening of that same day. Jesus said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”

After sending the people away, they took Jesus with them in a boat. It was the same boat He used when He taught them. Other little boats went along with them.

A bad wind storm came up. The waves were coming over the side of the boat. It was filling up with water.

Jesus was in the back part of the boat sleeping on a pillow. They woke Him up, crying out, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?”

He got up and spoke sharp words to the wind. He said to the sea, “Be quiet! Be still.” At once the wind stopped blowing. There were no more waves.

He said to His followers, “Why are you so full of fear? Do you not have faith?”

They were very much afraid and said to each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore.

He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.

As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it.

Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.

But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died.

Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain.

Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.

He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders,

so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’”

Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?

The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others.

The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.

The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.

But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.

The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word,

but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.

For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.

To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.

Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.

The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.

And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”

Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?

It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds,

but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.

In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”

So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).

But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

And he began again to teach by the sea side. And there gathered together unto him crowds of people, so greatly that he entered into the boat and sat in it in the sea, and all the people were by the sea side on the shore.

And he taught them many things in similitudes, and said to them in his lesson:

Hearken to! Behold, there went out a sower to sow.

And it happened as he sowed that some seed fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

Some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and quickly sprang up because it did not have depth of earth;

but as soon as the sun was up, it caught heat, and because it did not have rooting, withered away.

And some fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, so that it gave no fruit.

And some fell upon good ground, and yielded fruit that sprang up and grew, and brought forth: some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some a hundredfold.

And he said to them, He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the similitude.

And he said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, all things shall be done in similitudes,

and when they see, they will see but not discern, and when they hear, they will hear and not understand, lest at any time they should turn; and their sins would be forgiven them.

And he said to them, Do you not understand this similitude? How then will you understand any other similitudes?

The sower sows the word.

And those who are by the wayside where the word is sown are those to whom, as soon as they have heard it, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And likewise, those who receive the seed on the stony ground are those who, when they have heard the word, at once receive it with gladness,

yet have no roots in themselves. And so they endure but a time, and once trouble and persecution arise for the word’s sake, they fall immediately.

And those who receive the seed among the thorns are such as hear the word,

but the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the hunger for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it is made unfruitful.