撒种的比喻

13 那一天,耶稣从屋子里出来,在湖边[a]坐下。 有一大群人聚集到他那里,所以他上了一条船坐下来。众人都站在岸边。

耶稣用比喻对他们讲了很多事。他说:“看哪,有一个撒种的出去撒种。 他撒的时候,有些种子落在路边,飞鸟来把它们吃掉了。 有些落在岩石地上,那里没有多少泥土,它们立刻就发芽了,因为土不深; 当太阳升起,它们被暴晒,就枯萎了,因为没有根。 有些落进荆棘丛里,荆棘长起来,就把它们挤住了。 但是另有落在好土壤上的,就不断地结出果实来,有一百倍的,有六十倍的,有三十倍的。 凡是有耳的[b],就应当听!”

用比喻的原因

10 门徒们上前来,问耶稣:“你对他们讲话,为什么用比喻呢?”

11 耶稣回答他们,说:“天国的奥秘已经赐下来让你们知道,而没有赐给那些人; 12 因为凡是有的,还要赐给他,使他丰足有余;凡是没有的,连他有的也将从他那里被拿走。 13 我之所以用比喻对他们说,是因为他们虽然看了,却看不见;听了,却听不进,也不领悟。 14 在他们身上,正应验了以赛亚的预言,他说:

‘你们将听了又听,但绝不会领悟;
你们将看了又看,但绝不会明白;
15 因为这子民的心麻木了,
他们充耳不闻,眼睛闭着;
免得他们眼睛看见,耳朵听见,心里领悟,
回转过来,我就使他们痊愈。’[c]

16 “但你们的眼睛是蒙福的,因为看见了;你们的耳朵是蒙福的,因为听见了。 17 我确实地告诉你们:曾经有许多先知和义人渴望看你们所看见的,却没有看到;渴望听你们所听见的,却没有听到。

解明撒种的比喻

18 “所以,你们应当听这撒种的比喻: 19 无论谁听了天国的话语而不领悟,那恶者就来,把那撒在他心里的夺走;这就是那被撒上种子的‘路边之地’。 20 那被撒上种子的‘岩石地’是这样的人:他听了这话语,立刻怀着喜乐的心接受了它; 21 只是他里面没有根而不能持久,一旦为这话语受患难或逼迫,他立刻就放弃[d]了。 22 那被撒进种子的‘荆棘丛’是这样的人:他听了这话语,但今世的忧虑和财富的迷惑把话语挤住了,他就成了不结果实的。 23 那被撒上种子的‘好土壤’是这样的人:他听了这话语,就领悟了,必然结出果实来,结出的有一百倍的、有六十倍的、有三十倍的。”

稗子的比喻

24 耶稣对他们讲了另一个比喻说:“天国好比一个人把好种子撒在自己的田里。 25 但是当人们睡觉的时候,他的仇敌来把稗子撒在麦子中间,然后离开了。 26 到了麦苗长大结穗的时候,稗子也显出来了。 27 奴仆前来问那家的主人,说:‘主人,你不是把好种子撒在你的田里吗?从哪里来的这些稗子呢?’

28 “主人告诉他们:‘这是仇敌做的。’

“奴仆问:‘那么,你要我们去把稗子拔掉吗?’

29 “主人说:‘不,免得你们把稗子拔掉的时候,也把麦子一同连根拔出来。 30 让两样一起长吧,直到收割的季节。在收割的时候,我要吩咐收割的人先把稗子拔掉,把它们绑成一捆一捆的好去烧掉,然后把麦子收进我的仓库里。’”

芥菜种与面酵

31 耶稣对他们讲了另一个比喻说:“天国好比一粒芥菜种子,有人拿去种在他的田里。 32 它虽然比所有的种子更小,长大以后,却比各种蔬菜更大,成了一棵树,结果天空的飞鸟来了,在它的枝子上搭窝。”

33 耶稣又对他们讲了另一个比喻:“天国好比酵母,一个妇人拿去拌在[e]三斗[f]面里,直到整团面都发了酵。”

使用比喻

34 耶稣用比喻向人群讲了这一切;他向他们讲话,没有不用比喻的。 35 这是为要应验那藉着先知所说的话:

“我要开口,
用比喻说出创世以来被隐藏的事。”[g]

解明稗子的比喻

36 然后,耶稣离开了人群,进了屋子。他的门徒们上前来,说:“请给我们解释一下田里稗子的比喻。”

37 耶稣回答说:“那撒好种子的是人子。 38 田地是这世界,这些好种子就是天国的儿女,稗子是那恶者的儿女, 39 撒稗子的仇敌是魔鬼,收割的季节是世代的终结,收割的人是天使。 40 就像稗子被拔出来用火烧掉,在这世代的终结也将是这样。 41 人子要差派他的天使们,从他的国度里挑出来所有绊脚的和作恶[h]的, 42 把他们丢进火炉里。在那里将有哀哭和切齿。 43 那时,义人会在他们父的国度里像太阳一样发光。凡是有耳的[i],就应当听!

藏宝与寻珠

44 “天国好比被藏在田里的财宝。有人发现了,就把它再藏起来,然后高高兴兴地去卖掉他所拥有的一切,买下了那块地。

45 “天国又好比一个商人寻找精美的珍珠。 46 当他发现了一颗极其贵重的珍珠,就去卖掉他所拥有的一切,买下了那颗珍珠。

渔网的比喻

47 “天国又好比一张渔网撒在海里,网到了各种鱼类。 48 网一满了,渔夫们就把它拉上岸来,然后坐下,把好的收进筐里,把坏的丢在外面。 49 在这世代的终结也将是这样。天使们要出去,把恶人从义人中分别出来, 50 丢进火炉里。在那里将有哀哭和切齿。”

真理的宝库

51 耶稣问他们[j]“这一切你们都领悟了吗?”

他们说:“是的,领悟了[k]。”

52 耶稣对他们说:“为此,凡是成为天国门徒的经文士,就好比一家的主人,从他的宝库里拿出新的和旧的东西来。” 53 当耶稣讲完了这些比喻,就离开了那地方。

在拿撒勒被拒绝

54 他来到自己的家乡,在他们的会堂里教导人,以致他们惊叹不已,说:“这个人的这种智慧和能力是从哪里来的呢? 55 这不就是那木匠的儿子吗?他的母亲不是叫玛丽亚吗?他的弟弟们[l]不是雅各约西[m]西门犹大吗? 56 他的妹妹们[n]不是都和我们在一起的吗?那么,他这一切是从哪里来的呢?” 57 这样,他们就对耶稣很反感[o]

耶稣对他们说:“先知除了在本乡、本家以外,没有不受尊重的。” 58 因为他们的不信,耶稣在那里就没有行很多神迹。

Footnotes

  1. 马太福音 13:1 湖——原文直译“海”;指“加利利湖(海)”。
  2. 马太福音 13:9 有耳的——有古抄本作“有耳可听的”。
  3. 马太福音 13:15 《以赛亚书》6:9-10。
  4. 马太福音 13:21 放弃——原文直译“绊倒”。
  5. 马太福音 13:33 拌在——原文直译“藏在”。
  6. 马太福音 13:33 三斗——原文为“3撒顿”;容量约为22公升。1撒顿=7.3公升。
  7. 马太福音 13:35 《诗篇》78:2。
  8. 马太福音 13:41 恶——原文直译“不法”。
  9. 马太福音 13:43 有耳的——有古抄本作“有耳可听的”。
  10. 马太福音 13:51 有古抄本没有“耶稣问他们”。
  11. 马太福音 13:51 领悟了——辅助词语。
  12. 马太福音 13:55 弟弟——原文直译“兄弟”。
  13. 马太福音 13:55 约西——有古抄本作“约瑟”。
  14. 马太福音 13:56 妹妹——原文直译“姐妹”。
  15. 马太福音 13:57 对耶稣很反感——原文直译“因耶稣被绊倒”。

撒种的比喻(A)

13 那一天,耶稣从房子里出来,坐在海边。 有很多人聚集到他那里。于是,他上船坐下来,众人都站在岸上。 他用比喻对众人讲了许多事,说:“有一个撒种的出去撒种。 撒的时候,有的落在路旁,小鸟飞来就吃掉了。 有的落在泥土不多的石地上,因为泥土不深,很快就长起来。 但太阳一出来,就把它晒干,又因为没有根就枯萎了。 有的落在荆棘里,荆棘长大了,就把它挤住。 有的落在好土里,结出果实,有一百倍的,有六十倍的,有三十倍的。 有耳的,就应当听。”

用比喻的目的(B)

10 门徒上前问耶稣:“你对他们讲话,为甚么用比喻呢?” 11 他回答:“天国的奥秘,只给你们知道,却不给他们知道。 12 因为凡是有的,还要给他,他就充足有余;凡是没有的,就连他有甚么也要拿去。 13 因此,我用比喻对他们讲话,因为他们看却看不见,听也听不到,也不明白。 14 以赛亚的预言,正应验在他们身上,他说:

‘你们听是听见了,总是不明白;

看是看见了,总是不领悟。

15 因为这人民的心思迟钝,

用不灵的耳朵去听,

又闭上了眼睛;

免得自己眼睛看见,耳朵听见,

心里明白,回转过来,

我就医好他们。’

16 “你们的眼睛是有福的,因为可以看见;你们的耳朵是有福的,因为可以听见。 17 我实在告诉你们,曾经有许多先知和义人想看你们所看见的,却没有看到,想听你们所听见的,却没有听到。

解释撒种的比喻(C)

18 “所以你们要听这撒种人的比喻。 19 凡是听了天国的道却不明白的,那恶者就来把撒在他心中的夺去。这就是撒在路旁的。 20 那撒在石地上的,就是人听了道,立刻欢欢喜喜地接受, 21 可是他里面没有根,只是暂时的;一旦为道遭遇患难,受到迫害,就立刻跌倒了。 22 那撒在荆棘里的,就是人听了道,有今世的忧虑和财富的迷惑把道挤住,结不出果实来。 23 那撒在好土里的,就是人听了道,又明白了,结出果实来,有一百倍的,有六十倍的,有三十倍的。”

稗子的比喻

24 耶稣对他们另外讲了一个比喻,说:“天国好象人把好的种子撒在田里。 25 人们睡了的时候,他的仇敌来把稗子撒在麦子中间,就走了。 26 到了发苗吐穗的时候,稗子也显出来。 27 仆人都前来问家主:‘主人,你不是把好的种子撒在田里吗?那些稗子是从哪里来的呢?’ 28 他回答:‘这是仇敌所作的。’仆人问他:‘你要我们去拔掉它吗?’ 29 他说:‘不用,因为拔稗子的时候,恐怕也把麦子连根拔出来。 30 收割之前,让它们一同生长。到了收割的时候,我会吩咐收割的工人先拔掉稗子,捆起来,留着焚烧,却要把麦子收进我的仓里。’”

芥菜种和面酵的比喻(D)

31 耶稣又对他们讲了另外一个比喻,说:“天国好象一粒芥菜种,人拿去把它种在田里。 32 它是种子中最小的,但长大了,却比其他的蔬菜都大,成为一棵树,甚至天空的飞鸟也来在它的枝头搭窝。”

33 他对他们讲了另一个比喻:“天国好象面酵,妇女拿去放在三斗面里,直到全团发起来。”

解释稗子的比喻

34 耶稣用比喻向群众讲了这一切,他所讲的,没有不用比喻的。 35 这就应验了先知所说的:

“我要开口用比喻,

把创世以来隐秘的事说出来。”

36 耶稣离开群众,进到屋里,门徒前来问他:“请你给我们解释田里稗子的比喻。” 37 他回答:“那撒好种子的是人子, 38 田就是世界,好种子就是属天国的人,稗子就是属那恶者的人, 39 撒稗子的仇敌是魔鬼,收割的时候是这世代的终结,收割的工人是天使。 40 稗子怎样被拔掉用火焚烧,在这世代终结的时候,也是一样。 41 那时,人子要差派他的使者,把一切使人犯罪的事和不法之徒,从他的国中拔掉, 42 丢进火炉,在那里必要哀哭切齿。 43 那时,义人在他们父的国中,要像太阳一样的照耀。有耳的,就应当听。

其他的比喻

44 “天国好象藏在田里的宝贝,有人发现了,就把它藏起来,高高兴兴地离去,变卖了他的一切,来买那田地。

45 “天国好象一个商人,搜罗宝贵的珍珠。 46 他发现了一颗极贵重的珍珠,就离去,变卖了他的一切,来买那颗珍珠。

47 “天国又好象一个网,撒在海里,网到各样的鱼。 48 网满了之后,人就把网拉上岸,坐下来把好的拣出,收藏起来,不好的就丢在外面。 49 这世代终结的时候,也是一样。那时天使要出去,把恶人从义人中分别出来。 50 丢进火炉,在那里必要哀哭切齿。

51 “这一切你们明白吗?”他们回答:“明白。” 52 耶稣说:“所以,每一个作天国门徒的经学家,就像家主从宝库中拿出新和旧的东西来。”

耶稣在本乡遭人厌弃(E)

53 耶稣讲完了这些比喻,就离开那地方。 54 他回到自己的家乡,在会堂里教导人,众人都惊奇,说:“这个人的智慧和能力是从哪里来的呢? 55 他不是木匠的儿子吗?他母亲不是马利亚,他弟弟不是雅各、约瑟、西门和犹大吗? 56 他妹妹不是都在我们这里吗?他这一切是从哪里来的呢?” 57 他们就厌弃耶稣。耶稣对他们说:“先知除了在本乡本家之外,没有不受人尊敬的。” 58 因为他们不信,他就不在那里多行神迹了。

播种的寓言

13 同一天,耶稣走出屋子,坐在湖边。 很多人聚集在他周围,他只好到一条小船上坐下来,人群还留在岸上。 他用寓言教给人们许多道理。他说∶“有个农夫去种地。 播种的时候,有些种子落在路边,被飞来的鸟儿吃掉了; 另外一些种子落在浅土的石地上,因为土浅,种子很快就发芽了, 但是扎不下根,太阳出来一晒,他们就枯萎了;有些种子落在荆棘丛中, 被长起来的荆棘埋没和窒息了; 还有些种子落在肥沃的土壤里,结出的子粒比种下的种子多三十倍、六十倍甚至上百倍, 凡能听见我说话的人,听着。”

耶稣为什么用寓言传教

10 门徒们来问耶稣∶“您为什么用这些寓言来教导人们?”

11 耶稣回答说∶“关于天国的奥秘只让你们知道,而不会让他们知道。 12 已经拥有的人会得到更多,甚至比他需要的还多。几乎一无所有的人,连他仅有的那一点东西也要被拿走。 13 这就是为什么我用寓言故事教导他们。因为这些人看了,但并没有真正地看见;他们听了,但没有真正地理解。 14 这正应验了以赛亚的预言:

‘你们会听,并听见,
却什么也听不懂,
你们会看,并看见
却理解不了你们所看到的。
15 是的,这些人的头脑已经变得迟钝,
这些人堵住了自己的耳朵,
闭上了自己的眼睛。
因此他们用眼看不见,
用耳听不到,
或用心不能理解,
这一切使他们无法转向我,
无法让我治愈他们。’ (A)

16 但是,你们有眼福,因为你们看得见;你们有耳福,因为你们听得见。 17 我实话告诉你们:许多先知和好人都想看而看不见你们所看见的一切;他们想听却听不到你们所听到的一切。

解释种子的寓言

18 “所以, 听着,这是农夫播种的故事的含义。 19 当一个人听到了天国的福音却不能理解它的时候,魔鬼就来把播在他心中的福音夺走了,这就是落在路边上的种子的含义。 20 落在石头地上的种子,指的是这种人, 他听到福音便立刻欣然接受, 21 但是福音没有在他心中扎根,只不过是暂时的。一旦福音给他招来麻烦或迫害,他立刻就放弃了。 22 落在荆棘丛中的种子是指这种人, 他虽然听到了福音,但是却让尘世的烦恼和金钱的诱惑窒息了福音,结不出果实。 23 落在肥沃土壤里的种子指的是这种人,他听到了福音,心领神会,并且结出硕果 [a]—有时增加三十倍、或六十倍,甚至一百倍的果实。”

麦子和野草的寓言

24 耶稣又给他们讲了一个故事来教导他们∶“天国就像一个在自己的田里播下了良种的人。 25 但是,夜里,人们都在睡觉的时候,他的仇人来了,把野草的种子撒在麦地里,然后溜走了。 26 小麦生长,吐穗,野草也长出来了。 27 他的奴仆们来了,对这个人说∶‘先生,您播种的是好种子,对吧?怎么会长出野草呢?’

28 “他告诉奴仆们∶‘这是敌人干的。’

“他的奴仆们又问∶‘您要不要我们把野草除掉?’

29 “他说∶‘不用了。免得你们除草时,把麦子也一齐除掉。 30 让它们一齐长吧,等到收割的时候,我会告诉收庄稼的人说∶‘把杂草先割了,捆起来烧掉,然后把麦子收进粮仓。’”

上帝的天国像什么?

31 耶稣又给他们讲了一个故事∶“天国就像一粒芥茉籽,有人拿去把它种在地里, 32 它是所有种子里最小的一粒,可是当它长起来后,成了园子里最大的一棵植物,大的连天上的鸟儿也能在它的枝叉间筑巢。”

33 耶稣还给他们讲了另一个故事∶“天国就像一块酵母菌子,一个女人把它和在一大团面里做面包,它使整个面团发了起来。”

34 耶稣用寓言故事对众人讲述每件事情,他总是用寓言来讲道。 35 这正应验了上帝借先知之口所说的预言,上帝说:

“我(上帝)要用寓言说话,
我要讲出所有创世以来的秘密。” (B)

耶稣解释一个难懂的寓言

36 耶稣离开众人,回到家里。门徒们来到他那里,对他说∶“请您给我们解释一下田里杂草的故事。”

37 耶稣回答他们说∶“播种良种的人就是人子, 38 田地就是世界,好种子就是天国里上帝所有的孩子,野草就是属于魔鬼的人, 39 种杂草的人就是魔鬼,收获季节就是世界末日,收庄稼的人就是上帝的天使。

40 收庄稼的人把杂草捆起来烧掉,当世界末日 [b]来临时,同样的事情将会发生。 41 人子会派来他的天使,把所有做恶的和教唆人犯罪的人从他的王国里挑出来, 42 把他们扔进熊熊燃烧的熔炉里。他们会在那里切齿痛哭, 43 而好人在其父的天国里像太阳一样发出光芒。凡能听到我说话的人,听着。

宝藏和珍珠

44 “天国像埋在田地里的一座宝藏,一天,有人发现了它,又把它重新埋了起来。他高兴得把自己所有的东西都卖了,买下这块地。

45 “天国就像寻找珍珠的商人, 46 当他发现一颗价值连城的珍珠,他就卖掉自己所有的一切,把珍珠买下来。

鱼网的故事

47 “天国也像撒在湖里的一张网,捕获了各种各样的鱼。 48 等网满了,渔夫就把网拉上岸来,然后坐下来,选出好鱼,放进筐里,把坏鱼扔掉。 49 世界末日也是如此,天使会来把好人和坏人分开, 50 把坏人扔进熊熊燃烧的熔炉,让他们在烈火中切齿痛哭。”

51 耶稣接着问信徒∶“你们明白这些事情吗?”

他们回答说∶“明白。”

52 耶稣说∶“所有了解天国的律法师们,都如同一家之主,他们从自己的库房里拿出新东西,也拿出旧东西。”

耶稣返回故乡

53 耶稣讲完这些故事,就离开了那里, 54 回到自己的家乡,在会堂里教导人们。人们都很惊讶,不由自主地问道∶“他从哪里获得了如此的智慧和行奇迹的力量? 55 他不就是木匠的儿子吗?他母亲不是叫马利亚吗?他兄弟不是叫雅各、约瑟、西门和犹大吗? 56 他的姐妹们不是和我们一起住在这里吗?他怎么能够做出这些事呢?” 57 他们都难以接受他。

但是,耶稣对他们说∶“先知无论在哪里都受到尊敬,唯独在他自己的故乡或家里得不到尊敬。”

58 因为人们都不相信耶稣,他就没有在故乡显示很多奇迹。

Footnotes

  1. 馬 太 福 音 13:23 硕果: 耶稣要他的子民所行的善事。
  2. 馬 太 福 音 13:40 世界末日: 直译“这个世纪”或“这个时代”。

A Story About Planting Seed(A)

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake [C the Sea of Galilee]. Large crowds gathered around him, so he got into a boat and sat down, while the people stood on the shore. Then Jesus used ·stories [parables] to teach them many things. He said: “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 all 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. Some other seed fell on good ground where it grew and produced ·a crop [grain]. Some plants made a hundred times more, some made sixty times more, and some made thirty times more. ·Let those with ears use them and listen [L The one who has ears to hear, let him hear].”

Why Jesus Used Stories to Teach(B)

10 The ·followers [disciples] came to Jesus and asked, “Why do you ·use stories to teach the people [L speak to them in parables]?”

11 Jesus answered, “·You have been chosen [L It has been granted/given to you] to ·know [understand] the ·secrets [mysteries] about the kingdom of heaven, but ·others cannot know these secrets [L it has not been given/granted to those others]. 12 Those who ·have understanding [L have] will be given more, and they will have ·all they need [an abundance]. But those who do not ·have understanding [L have], even what they have will be taken away from them. 13 This is why I ·use stories to teach the people [L speak in parables]: [L Because] They ·see [look], but they don’t ·really see [perceive]. They hear, but they don’t really hear or understand. 14 ·So they show that the things Isaiah said about them are true [L In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says]:

‘You will ·listen and listen [keep on hearing; or listen intently], but you will not understand.
    You will ·look and look [keep on seeing; or look intently], but you will not ·learn [perceive; comprehend].
15 For the ·minds [hearts] of these people have become ·stubborn [dull; calloused; hardened].
    They ·do not [hardly] hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
    Otherwise they might see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears.
They might really understand ·in their minds [with their hearts]
    and ·come back [turn; return] to me and ·be healed [I would heal them; Is. 6:9–10].’

16 But ·you [L your eyes] are blessed, because you see with your eyes and hear with your ears. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and ·good [righteous; just] people ·wanted [longed] to see the things that you now see, but they did not see them. And they ·wanted [longed] to hear the things that you now hear, but they did not hear them.

Jesus Explains the Seed Story(C)

18 “So listen to the ·meaning of that story about the farmer [parable of the sower]. 19 What is the seed that fell ·by the road [along the path]? That seed is like ·the person [anyone] who hears the ·message [word; teaching] about the kingdom but does not understand it. The Evil One comes and ·takes away [snatches] what was ·planted [sown] in that person’s heart. 20 And what is the seed ·that fell [sown] on rocky ground? That seed is like the person who hears the ·teaching [word; message] and quickly ·accepts [receives] it with joy. 21 But ·he does not let the teaching go deep into his life, so [L since he has no root in himself] ·he keeps it only a short time [he does not endure; it is shortlived]. When trouble or persecution comes because of the ·teaching he accepted [word, message], he ·quickly [immediately] ·gives up [falls away; stumbles]. 22 And what is the seed ·that fell [sown] among the thorny weeds? That seed is like the person who hears the ·teaching [word; message] but lets worries about this ·life [world; age] and the ·temptation [deceitfulness; seduction] of wealth ·stop that teaching from growing [L choke the word/message]. So the teaching does not produce fruit in that person’s life. 23 But what is the seed ·that fell [sown] on the good ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and produces ·fruit [a crop], sometimes a hundred times more, sometimes sixty times more, and sometimes thirty times more.”

A Story About Wheat and Weeds

24 Then Jesus ·told [presented to] them another ·story [parable]: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who ·planted [sowed] good seed in his field. 25 That night, when everyone was asleep, his enemy came and ·planted [sowed] ·weeds [T tares; C a noxious weed that looks like wheat] among the wheat and then left. 26 Later, the wheat sprouted and the heads of grain grew, but the ·weeds [T tares] also ·grew [appeared]. 27 Then the man’s ·servants [slaves] came to him and said, ‘[Master; Sir] ·You planted [L Didn’t you sow…?] good seed in your field. Where did the ·weeds [T tares] come from?’ 28 The man answered, ‘An enemy ·planted weeds [L did this].’ The ·servants [slaves] asked, ‘Do you want us to ·pull up the weeds [L go and gather them]?’ 29 The man answered, ‘No, because when you ·pull up [gather] the ·weeds [T tares], you might also ·pull up [uproot] the wheat. 30 Let ·the weeds and the wheat [L both] grow together until the harvest time. At harvest time I will tell the ·workers [reapers], “First gather the ·weeds [T tares] and tie them ·together [in bundles] to be burned. Then gather the wheat and bring it to my barn.”’”

Stories of Mustard Seed and Yeast(D)

31 Then Jesus ·told [presented to them] another ·story [parable]: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man ·planted [sowed] in his field. 32 That seed is the smallest of all seeds [C the mustard seed was the smallest seed known to Jesus’ hearers], but when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes ·big enough [L a tree] for the ·wild birds [L birds of the sky] to come and build nests in its branches.”

33 Then Jesus told another ·story [parable]: “The kingdom of heaven is like ·yeast [leaven] that a woman took and ·hid [mixed] in a large tub [C Greek: three sata; about fifty pounds] of flour until ·it made all the dough rise [L the whole was leavened; Luke 13:20–21].”

34 Jesus used ·stories [parables] to tell all these things to the people; he ·always used stories to teach them [L did not speak to them without parables; Mark 4:33–34]. 35 This ·is as [fulfills what] the prophet said:

“I will ·speak using [L open my mouth in] ·stories [parables];
    I will ·tell [announce; utter] things ·that have been secret [hidden] since the ·world was made [creation/foundation of the world. Ps. 78:2].”

Jesus Explains About the Weeds

36 Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. His ·followers [disciples] came to him and said, “Explain to us the meaning of the ·story [parable] about the ·weeds [T tares] in the field.”

37 Jesus answered, “The man who ·planted [sowed] the good seed in the field is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed are ·all of God’s children who belong to the kingdom [L the children/sons of the kingdom]. The ·weeds [T tares] are ·those people who belong to the Evil One [L the children/sons of the Evil One]. 39 And the enemy who ·planted [sowed] the bad seed is the devil. The harvest time is the end of the age, and the ·workers who gather [harvesters; reapers] are God’s angels.

40 “Just as the ·weeds [T tares] are ·pulled up [gathered] and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will ·gather [remove; weed] out of his kingdom ·all who [or all things that] ·cause sin [T are stumbling blocks] and all who ·do evil [break God’s law]. 42 The angels will throw them into the blazing furnace [Dan. 3:6], where ·the people will cry and grind their teeth with pain [L there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth; C indicating agony and remorse]. 43 Then the ·good people [righteous] will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father [Dan. 12:3]. ·Let those with ears use them and listen [L The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.].

Stories of a Treasure and a Pearl

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure, and then he hid it in the field again. He was so ·happy [joyful; excited] that he went and sold everything he owned to buy that field.

45 “Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found a very valuable pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.

A Story of a Fishing Net

47 “Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a ·net [dragnet; C a net dragged between two boats, or between a boat and the shore] that was put into the ·lake [sea] and caught many different kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled the net to the shore. They sat down and put all the good fish in baskets and threw away the ·bad [worthless] fish. 49 It will be this way at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the evil people from the ·good [righteous] people. 50 The angels will throw the evil people into the blazing furnace [Dan. 3:11, 19–30], where ·people will cry and grind their teeth with pain [L there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth; v. 42].”

51 Jesus asked his ·followers [disciples], “Do you understand all these things?”

They answered, “Yes.”

52 Then Jesus said to them, “So every ·teacher of the law [scribe] who has ·been taught about [become a disciple of] the kingdom of heaven is like the ·owner [head] of a house. He brings out both new things and old things ·he has saved [L from his treasure/storeroom; C knowledge of the Old Testament provides insight into Jesus’ “new” message of the kingdom of God].”

Jesus Goes to His Hometown(E)

53 When Jesus finished teaching [see 7:28] with these ·stories [parables], he left there. 54 He went to his hometown [C Nazareth; 2:23; Luke 2:39] and taught the people in their synagogue, and they were ·amazed [astonished]. They said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and this power to do miracles? 55 ·He is just [Isn’t this…?] the son of ·a [L the] carpenter. ·His mother is Mary [L Isn’t his mother called Mary…?], and his brothers are James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. 56 And all his sisters are here with us. Where then does this man get all these things?” 57 So the people were ·upset with [offended by] Jesus.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is ·honored everywhere [not dishonored] except in his hometown and in his own ·home [family; household].”

58 So he did not do many miracles there because ·they had no faith [of their unbelief].