马太福音 13
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
撒种的比喻(A)
13 那一天，耶稣从房子里出来，坐在海边。 2 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。 3 他用比喻对众人讲了许多事，说：“有一个撒种的出去撒种。 4 撒的时候，有的落在路旁，小鸟飞来就吃掉了。 5 有的落在泥土不多的石地上，因为泥土不深，很快就长起来。 6 但太阳一出来，就把它晒干，又因为没有根就枯萎了。 7 有的落在荆棘里，荆棘长大了，就把它挤住。 8 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。 9 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。
Matthew 13
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 13
Jesus Teaches in Parables[a]
The Day of Parables. 1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the side of the lake. 2 However, such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables.[b]
The Parable of the Sower.[c] He said: “A sower went out to sow. 4 As he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. They sprouted quickly, since the soil had very little depth, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched, and since they lacked roots, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 But some seeds fell on rich soil and produced a crop—some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear!”
10 The Reason for Parables.[d] Then his disciples approached and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 He replied, “To you has been granted knowledge of the mysteries[e] of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 To the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance. As for the one who does not have, even what little he has will be taken away. 13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that they see but do not perceive and they listen but do not hear or understand. 14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
‘You will indeed hear but not understand,
you will indeed look but never see.
15 For this people’s heart has become hardened;
they have stopped up their ears
and they have shut their eyes,
so that they might not see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and then turn to me,
and I would heal them.’
16 The Privilege of Discipleship.[f]“But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
18 The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower.[g]“Therefore listen to the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart; that is the seed sown on the path. 20 As for the seed sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. 21 But such a person has no deep root, and he endures for only a short time. When some trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, he immediately falls away.
22 “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but worldly cares and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. 23 However, the seed sown in rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
24 The Parable of the Weeds.[h] He then proposed another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 While everyone was asleep, his enemy came, sowed weeds[i] among the wheat, and then went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and ripened, the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and asked, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where then did these weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘One of my enemies has done this.’ The servants then asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?’
29 “He replied, ‘No, because in gathering the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let them both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time, I will tell the reapers, “Collect the weeds first and tie them in bundles to be burned. Then gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
31 The Parable of the Mustard Seed.[j] He proposed still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of plants and becomes a tree large enough for the birds to come and make nests in its branches.”[k]
33 The Parable of the Yeast.[l] And he offered them yet another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until it was completely leavened.”
34 The Use of Parables.[m] Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables. Indeed he never spoke to them except in parables. 35 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth to speak in parables;
I will proclaim what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”
36 Explanation of the Parable of the Weeds.[n] Then he dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are angels.
40 “Just as the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the world. 41 The Son of Man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who cause sin and all whose deeds are evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
44 The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl.[o]“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure buried in a field, which a man found and buried again. Then in his joy he went off and sold everything he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went off and sold everything he had and bought it.
47 The Parable of the Net.[p]“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea where it caught fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, they hauled it ashore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish into baskets but discarded those that were worthless. 49 Thus will it be at the end of the world. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 Conclusion.[q]“Have you understood all this?” he asked. They answered, “Yes.” 52 Then he said to them, “Therefore, every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings forth from his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
The Authentic Faith of Those Converted[r]
Jesus Encounters Mixed Receptions[s]
53 Jesus Is Rejected at Nazareth.[t] When Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from that district.
54 He came to his hometown, and he began to teach the people in the synagogue. They were astonished and wondered, “Where did this man get such wisdom and these mighty deeds? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? Are not James and Joseph and Simon and Judas his brethren? 56 And are not all his sisters here with us? Where then did this man get all this?” 57 And so they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is always treated with honor except in his hometown and in his own house.” 58 And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
Footnotes
- Matthew 13:1 This is the beginning of the Third Discourse in Matthew’s Gospel, which includes seven parables of Jesus about the kingdom of heaven, a plan hidden in God and only incompletely manifested to us (13:10-17, 34f; see Eph 3:4ff). Each parable presents a different aspect of the kingdom and helps us to perceive the multifaceted reality that is growing among us throughout history. However, there is no point in looking for a meaning in every detail of a parable; it is more profitable to look for the essential message.
- Matthew 13:3 Parables: stories that are illustrative comparisons between religious truths and events of everyday life. Those told by Jesus are so living, direct, and natural as to be unforgettable. They bear witness to a true poetic and pedagogical genius. The Synoptic Gospels contain some 30 parables. John’s Gospel contains no parables but makes good use of other figures of speech.
- Matthew 13:3 At this period, seed was scattered everywhere on as yet uncultivated ground, before any plowing was done and without the sower having a clear idea of whether it would take root. Some seed was wasted, but the sower was not discouraged, knowing that the harvest would come and this was all that counted. In the Old Testament, the harvest was a symbol of the Messianic age (see Ps 126:5-6; Am 9:13).
- Matthew 13:10 The parables make use of a language that is clear and rich for those whose heart is open but obscure and deceptive for those whose heart is closed. Already Jesus sees the new community, where his message is richness of life, separating itself from official Judaism, which will lose even that which it has, i.e., its role as custodian of God’s Covenant. The Word of Christ always works in a twofold way; it fills those who accept it but leads to the hardening up of those who refuse it.
- Matthew 13:11 Mysteries: also translated as “secrets.” The word is used in Dan 2:18, 19, 27 and in the Dead Sea Scrolls to designate a divine plan or decree affecting the course of history that can be known only when revealed. In this case, the secret or mystery is that the kingdom is already present in the ministry of Jesus.
- Matthew 13:16 The disciples, unlike the unbelieving crowds, have seen and heard what many prophets and righteous people of the Old Testament longed to see . . . and to hear without having their longing filled.
- Matthew 13:18 It is not enough for us to hear the word; we must accept it with all its demands so that it may transform our existence. The four types of persons described in the parable are: (1) those who never accept the word of the kingdom (v. 19); (2) those who believe for a while but fall away because of persecution (vv. 20-21); (3) those who believe, but in whom the word is choked by worldly cares and the lure of riches (v. 22); and (4) those who hear the word and produce an abundant crop (v. 23).
- Matthew 13:24 The parable of the weeds is proper to Matthew. Through it Jesus teaches that the Last Judgment (of which the “harvest” is a common metaphor), i.e., the separation of the good from the wicked, is to be awaited with patience. The explanation is given in Mt 13:37-43.
- Matthew 13:25 Weeds: probably darnel, which looks very much like wheat while it is young, but can later be distinguished.
- Matthew 13:31 The mustard seed is the smallest one used by the Palestinian farmers and gardeners of that day, but it could reach a height of some ten or twelve feet. Thus, the kingdom of heaven, notwithstanding the humble ministry of Jesus, is already dawning and in the end will be shown in all its magnificence.
- Matthew 13:32 Tree . . . its branches: an allusion to Dan 4:21, indicating that the kingdom of heaven will become worldwide and people from all nations will find refuge therein (see also Ezek 17:23; 31:6; Dan 2:35, 44f; 7:27; Rev 11:15).
- Matthew 13:33 The parable of the yeast is an invitation to faith in the efficacy of the ministry of Jesus. Despite its modest and unspectacular character, it constitutes a stage in the eschatological coming of the kingdom of God. The greatness of the kingdom is shown by the enormous amount of flour, enough to feed well over a hundred people.
- Matthew 13:34 Matthew stresses that Jesus speaks in parables to reveal God and his kingdom; in this way he shows that the Messiah fulfills the Scriptures. The “prophet” is, in this case, the psalmist (see Ps 78:2).
- Matthew 13:36 The explanation of the parable of the weeds stresses the Last Judgment in which Christ and those who have believed in him will triumph over the forces of evil. It thus teaches one to be converted without delay and to remain steadfast in faith till the end.
- Matthew 13:44 The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl reveal the hidden character of the kingdom of heaven and its great worth. It represents the supreme value to which human beings must aspire.
- Matthew 13:47 The parable of the net repeats the teaching of the parable of the weeds, with its emphasis upon the final exclusion of the wicked from the kingdom. It thus calls for an authentic conversion on the part of the listeners.
- Matthew 13:51 To those who believe, the parables reveal God’s mysterious plan for human beings. Thus, the teacher of the law, the scribe, once he has become a disciple, knows how to see the link between the Old and the New Testaments and is enriched by their basic harmony.
- Matthew 13:53 A new and tragic phase in the life of Jesus, and therefore also in the life of the kingdom, begins here and illustrates the accounts and words of this fourth part of the Gospel. The drama is infused with a growing intensity. Christ hides himself from the enthusiasm of the crowds who want him to embrace their hope for national freedom. This stirs up hostility and leads to defection. The kingdom that he proclaims is suspect in the eyes of the defenders of legalism and traditions; not even his disciples have a good understanding of the life that he teaches. Powerless, they live under this tension, which prepares for the Passion, and their incredulity will even contribute to it; but they still remain the core of the new community of believers.
- Matthew 13:53 The main purpose of this section is to place the Person of Jesus at the center of the mystery of the kingdom of God. The evangelist shows Jesus receiving a mixed reception, beginning with his rejection at Nazareth and the execution of the Baptist (Mt 13:53—14:12). He then alludes to the Eucharistic mystery in the accounts of the multiplication of the loaves (Mt 14:19; 15:36), and the walking on the water (Mt 14:22-33). Finally, he reports the doctrinal conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities (Mt 15:1-20) and raises anew the question of the sign of Jonah (Mt 16:1-4; see note on Mt 12:38ff). This sign will later be explained as referring to the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus (Mt 16:21ff), which must occur before the kingdom of God reaches a new stage (Mt 16:28). This is the message of the Scriptures (Mt 17:5).
- Matthew 13:53 At Nazareth, everyone knows the mother of Jesus and his brothers and sisters, i.e., his closest relatives, as it was customary to say in those days (see note on Mt 12:46). He thus has his place in this little village. But how can the villagers be expected to acknowledge the Messiah in one of their compatriots? God’s action and word manifested among men is the mystery of the Incarnation; this seems too human. Even the believer might hesitate in believing in the Lord present among us, in the places and times in which daily life unfolds.
Matthew 13
Darby Translation
13 And that [same] day Jesus went out from the house and sat down by the sea.
2 And great crowds were gathered together to him, so that going on board ship himself he sat down, and the whole crowd stood on the shore.
3 And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went out to sow:
4 and as he sowed, some [grains] fell along the way, and the birds came and devoured them;
5 and others fell upon the rocky places where they had not much earth, and immediately they sprang up out of [the ground] because of not having [any] depth of earth,
6 but when the sun rose they were burned up, and because of not having [any] root were dried up;
7 and others fell upon the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them;
8 and others fell upon the good ground, and produced fruit, one a hundred, one sixty, and one thirty.
9 He that has ears, let him hear.
10 And the disciples came up and said to him, Why speakest thou to them in parables?
11 And he answering said to them, Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, but to them it is not given;
12 for whoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall be caused to be in abundance; but he who has not, even what he has shall be taken away from him.
13 For this cause I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear nor understand;
14 and in them is filled up the prophecy of Esaias, which says, Hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand, and beholding ye shall behold and not see;
15 for the heart of this people has grown fat, and they have heard heavily with their ears, and they have closed their eyes as asleep, lest they should see with the eyes, and hear with the ears, and understand with the heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are *your* eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear;
17 for verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see the things which ye behold and did not see [them], and to hear the things which ye hear and did not hear [them].
18 *Ye*, therefore, hear the parable of the sower.
19 From every one who hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand [it], the wicked one comes and catches away what was sown in his heart: this is he that is sown by the wayside.
20 But he that is sown on the rocky places—this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,
21 but has no root in himself, but is for a time only; and when tribulation or persecution happens on account of the word, he is immediately offended.
22 And he that is sown among the thorns—this is he who hears the word, and the anxious care of this life, and the deceit of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
23 But he that is sown upon the good ground—this is he who hears and understands the word, who bears fruit also, and produces, one a hundred, one sixty, and one thirty.
24 Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens has become like a man sowing good seed in his field;
25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel amongst the wheat, and went away.
26 But when the blade shot up and produced fruit, then appeared the darnel also.
27 And the bondmen of the householder came up and said to him, Sir, hast thou not sown good seed in thy field? whence then has it darnel?
28 And he said to them, A man [that is] an enemy has done this. And the bondmen said to him, Wilt thou then that we should go and gather it [up]?
29 But he said, No; lest [in] gathering the darnel ye should root up the wheat with it.
30 Suffer both to grow together unto the harvest, and in time of the harvest I will say to the harvestmen, Gather first the darnel, and bind it into bundles to burn it; but the wheat bring together into my granary.
31 Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens is like a grain of mustard [seed] which a man took and sowed in his field;
32 which is less indeed than all seeds, but when it is grown is greater than herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of heaven come and roost in its branches.
33 He spoke another parable to them: The kingdom of the heavens is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal until it had been all leavened.
34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and without a parable he did not speak to them,
35 so that that should be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from [the] world's foundation.
36 Then, having dismissed the crowds, he went into the house; and his disciples came to him, saying, Expound to us the parable of the darnel of the field.
37 But he answering said, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man,
38 and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom, but the darnel are the sons of the evil [one];
39 and the enemy who has sowed it is the devil; and the harvest is [the] completion of [the] age, and the harvestmen are angels.
40 As then the darnel is gathered and is burned in the fire, thus it shall be in the completion of the age.
41 The Son of man shall send his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all offences, and those that practise lawlessness;
42 and they shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears, let him hear.
44 The kingdom of the heavens is like a treasure hid in the field, which a man having found has hid, and for the joy of it goes and sells all whatever he has, and buys that field.
45 Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls;
46 and having found one pearl of great value, he went and sold all whatever he had and bought it.
47 Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a seine which has been cast into the sea, and which has gathered together of every kind,
48 which, when it has been filled, having drawn up on the shore and sat down, they gathered the good into vessels and cast the worthless out.
49 Thus shall it be in the completion of the age: the angels shall go forth and sever the wicked from the midst of the just,
50 and shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
51 Jesus says to them, Have ye understood all these things? They say to him, Yea, [Lord].
52 And he said to them, For this reason every scribe discipled to the kingdom of the heavens is like a man [that is] a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.
53 And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these parables he withdrew thence.
54 And having come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, Whence has this [man] this wisdom and these works of power?
55 Is not this the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then has this [man] all these things?
57 And they were offended in him. And Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honour, unless in his country and in his house.
58 And he did not there many works of power, because of their unbelief.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
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