The Parable of the Weeds Explained

³⁶ Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable^(A) of the weeds in the field.”

³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.^{(B) 38} The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,^{(C) 39} and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest^(D) is the end of the age,^(E) and the harvesters are angels.^(F)

⁴⁰ “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man^(G) will send out his angels,^(H) and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^{(I) 43} Then the righteous will shine like the sun^(J) in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.^(K)

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like^(L) treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.^(M)

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like^(N) a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

⁴⁷ “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like^(O) a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds^(P) of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous^{(Q) 50} and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^(R)

⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

A Prophet Without Honor^(S)

⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables,^(T) he moved on from there. ⁵⁴ Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue,^(U) and they were amazed.^(V) “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. ⁵⁵ “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?^(W) Isn’t his mother’s^(X) name Mary, and aren’t his brothers^(Y) James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense^(Z) at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”^(AA)

⁵⁸ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.