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”。

A Story About Planting Seed

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Large crowds gathered around him. So Jesus got into a boat and sat, while the people stayed on the shore. Then Jesus used stories to teach them many things. He said: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. While he 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 enough 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. The weeds grew and choked the good plants. Some other seed fell on good ground where it grew and became grain. Some plants made 100 times more grain. Other plants made 60 times more grain, and some made 30 times more grain. Let those with ears use them and listen!”

Why Jesus Used Stories to Teach

10 The followers came to Jesus and asked, “Why do you use stories to teach the people?”

11 Jesus answered, “Only you can know the secret truths about the kingdom of heaven. Other people cannot know these secret truths. 12 The person who has something will be given more. And he will have all he needs. But the person who does not have much, even what he has will be taken from him. 13 This is why I use stories to teach the people: They see, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really understand. 14 So they show that the things Isaiah said about them are true:

‘You will listen and listen, but you will not understand.
    You will look and look, but you will not learn.
15 For these people have become stubborn.
    They do not hear with their ears.
    And they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might really understand
    what they see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears.
They might really understand in their minds.
    If they did this, they would come back to me and be forgiven.’ Isaiah 6:9-10

16 But you are blessed. You understand the things you see with your eyes. And you understand the things you hear with your ears. 17 I tell you the truth. Many prophets and good people wanted to see the things that you now see. But they did not see them. And many prophets and good people wanted to hear the things that you now hear. But they did not hear them.

Jesus Explains the Seed Story

18 “So listen to the meaning of that story about the farmer. 19 What is the seed that fell by the road? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching about the kingdom but does not understand it. The Evil One comes and takes away the things that were planted in that person’s heart. 20 And what is the seed that fell on rocky ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and quickly accepts it with joy. 21 But he does not let the teaching go deep into his life. He keeps it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching he accepted, then he quickly gives up. 22 And what is the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching but lets worries about this life and love of money stop that teaching from growing. So the teaching does not produce fruit[a] in that person’s life. 23 But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and produces fruit, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 30 times more.”

A Story About Wheat and Weeds

24 Then Jesus told them another story. He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field. 25 That night, when everyone was asleep, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat. Then the enemy went away. 26 Later, the wheat grew and heads of grain grew on the wheat plants. But at the same time the weeds also grew. 27 Then the man’s servants came to him and said, ‘You planted good seed in your field. Where did the weeds come from?’ 28 The man answered, ‘An enemy planted weeds.’ The servants asked, ‘Do you want us to pull up the weeds?’ 29 The man answered, ‘No, because when you pull up the weeds, you might also pull up the wheat. 30 Let the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest time. At harvest time I will tell the workers this: First gather the weeds and tie them together to be burned. Then gather the wheat and bring it to my barn.’”

Stories of Mustard Seed and Yeast

31 Then Jesus told another story: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. A man plants the seed in his field. 32 That seed is the smallest of all seeds. But when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes a tree, big enough for the wild birds to come and make nests in its branches.”

33 Then Jesus told another story: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman mixes into a big bowl of flour. The yeast makes all the dough rise.”

34 Jesus used stories to tell all these things to the people. He always used stories to teach people. 35 This is as the prophet said:

“I will speak using stories;
    I will tell things that have been secret since the world was made.” Psalm 78:2

Jesus Explains About the Wheat and Weeds

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

37 Jesus answered, “The man who planted 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 in the kingdom. The weeds are those people who belong to the Evil One. 39 And the enemy who planted the bad seed is the devil. The harvest time is the end of the age. And the workers who gather are God’s angels.

40 “The weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire. It will be this way at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels. They will gather out of his kingdom all who cause sin and all who do evil. 42 The angels will throw them into the blazing furnace. There the people will cry and grind their teeth with pain. 43 Then the good people will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let those with ears use them and listen!

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. The man was very happy to find the treasure. He went and sold everything that he owned to buy that field.

45 “Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a man looking for fine pearls. 46 One day he found a very valuable pearl. The man went and sold everything he had to buy that pearl.

A Story of a Fishing Net

47 “Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was put into the lake. The net 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. Then they threw away the bad 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 people. 50 The angels will throw the evil people into the blazing furnace. In that place the people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.”

51 Jesus asked his followers, “Do you understand all these things?”

They answered, “Yes, we understand.”

52 Then Jesus said to them, “So every teacher of the law who has been taught about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house. He has both new things and old things saved in his house. And he brings out both those new things and old things.”

Jesus Goes to His Hometown

53 When Jesus finished teaching with these stories, he left there. 54 He went to the town where he grew up. He taught the people in the synagogue, and they were amazed. They said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and this power to do miracles? 55 He is only the son of the carpenter. And his mother is Mary. His brothers are James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. 56 And all his sisters are here with us. So where does this man get all these things?” 57 And the people refused to accept Jesus.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own town or in his own home.”

58 The people there did not believe in Jesus. So Jesus did not do many miracles there.

Footnotes

  1. 13:22 produce fruit To produce fruit means to have in your life the good things God wants.

13 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.

54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.