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The Parable of the Sower

13 On that day Jesus went out of (A)the house and was sitting (B)by the sea. And [a]large crowds gathered to Him, so (C)He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

And He spoke many things to them in (D)parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. And others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And others fell [b]among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil and were yielding [c]a crop, some a (E)hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. (F)He who has ears, [d]let him hear.”

The Purpose of the Parables

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 And [e]Jesus answered and said to them, (G)To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 (H)For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while (I)seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

[f](J)You will keep on hearing, [g]but will not understand;
[h]You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
15 (K)For the heart of this people has become dull,
And with their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes,
Lest they would see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.’

16 (L)But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 For truly I say to you that (M)many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 (N)Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears (O)the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, (P)the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 20 And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he [i](Q)falls away. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the worry of (R)the [j]world and the (S)deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some (T)a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

The Parable of Tares Among Wheat

24 He presented another parable to them, saying, (U)The kingdom of heaven [k]may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed [l]tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the [m]wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27 The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? [n]How then does it have tares?’ 28 And he said to them, ‘An [o]enemy has done this!’ The slaves *said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he *said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but (V)gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven

31 He presented another parable to them, saying, (W)The kingdom of heaven is like (X)a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is the [p]smallest of all seeds, but when it is fully grown, it is the [q]largest of the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that (Y)the birds of the [r]air come and nest in its branches.”

33 He spoke another parable to them, (Z)The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in [s](AA)three sata of flour until it was all leavened.”

34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He was not speaking to them (AB)without a parable 35 so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying,

(AC)I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”

The Parable of Tares Explained

36 Then He left the crowds and went into (AD)the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, “(AE)Explain to us the parable of the [t]tares of the field.” 37 And He answered and said, “The one who sows the good seed is (AF)the Son of Man, 38 and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are (AG)the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are (AH)the sons of (AI)the evil one; 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is (AJ)the [u]end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40 So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at (AK)the [v]end of the age. 41 (AL)The Son of Man (AM)will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom [w]all (AN)stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and (AO)will throw them into the fiery furnace; in that place (AP)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 (AQ)Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (AR)He who has ears, [x]let him hear.

A Hidden Treasure

44 (AS)The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and (AT)sells all that he has and buys that field.

A Costly Pearl

45 “Again, (AU)the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

A Dragnet

47 “Again, (AV)the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49 So it will be at (AW)the [y]end of the age; the angels will come forth and [z]take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and (AX)will throw them into the fiery furnace; in that place (AY)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” They *said to Him, “Yes.” 52 And He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

53 [aa](AZ)Now it happened that when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. 54 (BA)And He came to [ab]His hometown and (BB)began teaching them in their synagogue, so that (BC)they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these [ac]miraculous powers? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not (BD)His mother called Mary, and His (BE)brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And (BF)His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they were taking (BG)offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, (BH)A prophet is not without honor except in his [ad]hometown and in his own household.” 58 And He did not do many [ae]miracles there because of their unbelief.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 13:2 Lit many
  2. Matthew 13:7 Lit upon
  3. Matthew 13:8 Lit fruit
  4. Matthew 13:9 Or hear!, listen!; Gr imperative
  5. Matthew 13:11 Lit He
  6. Matthew 13:14 Lit With a hearing you will hear
  7. Matthew 13:14 Lit and
  8. Matthew 13:14 Lit Seeing you will see
  9. Matthew 13:21 Lit is caused to stumble
  10. Matthew 13:22 Or age
  11. Matthew 13:24 Lit was compared to
  12. Matthew 13:25 Or darnel, a weed resembling wheat
  13. Matthew 13:26 Lit grass
  14. Matthew 13:27 Lit From where
  15. Matthew 13:28 Lit enemy man
  16. Matthew 13:32 Lit smaller
  17. Matthew 13:32 Lit larger
  18. Matthew 13:32 Or sky
  19. Matthew 13:33 Approx. 48 lb. or 39 l, a saton was approx. 16 lb. or 13 l
  20. Matthew 13:36 Or darnel, a weed resembling wheat
  21. Matthew 13:39 Or consummation
  22. Matthew 13:40 Or consummation
  23. Matthew 13:41 Or everything that is offensive
  24. Matthew 13:43 Or hear!, listen!; Gr imperative
  25. Matthew 13:49 Or consummation
  26. Matthew 13:49 Or separate
  27. Matthew 13:53 Lit And
  28. Matthew 13:54 Or His own part of the country
  29. Matthew 13:54 Or miracles
  30. Matthew 13:57 Or own part of the country
  31. Matthew 13:58 Or works of power

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

And great multitudes gathered to Him, so that He went into a ship and sat down. And the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, a sower went out to sow.

“And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside. And the birds came and devoured them.

“And some fell upon stony ground, where they did not have much earth. And soon they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.

“But when the Sun came up, they were burnt up; and for lack of rooting, withered away.

“And some fell among thorns. And the thorns sprang up and choked them.

But some fell in good ground, and brought forth fruit; one corn a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and another thirtyfold.

“The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

10 Then the disciples came, and said to Him, “Why did You speak to them in parables?”

11 And He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. But to them it is not given.

12 “For whoever has, to him shall be given. And he shall have abundance. But whoever does not have, even that which he has shall be taken away from him.

13 “Therefore, I speak to them in parables. Because they, seeing, do not see. And hearing, they do not hear, nor understand.

14 “So in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled which says, ‘By hearing you shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing, you shall see and shall not perceive.

15 “‘For this people’s heart has grown fat and their ears barely hear and they have closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand with their hearts and should return, that I might heal them.’

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

17 “For truly I say to you that many Prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear and have not heard them.

18 “Therefore, hear the parable of the Sower.

19 “Whenever anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which was sown in his heart. And this is the one who has received the seed by the wayside.

20 “And the one who received seed in the stony ground, is he who hears the Word, and immediately, with joy, receives it,

21 “but he has no root in himself and endures but a season. For as soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, he quickly stumbles.

22 “And the one who receives the seed among thorns, is he who hears the Word, but the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word. And it is made unfruitful.

23 “But the one who receives the seed in the good ground, is he who hears the Word and understands it, who also bears fruit and brings forth; some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold.”

24 He put forth another parable to them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

25 “But while the man slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went his way.

26 “And when the blade had sprung up and brought forth fruit, the weeds also appeared.

27 “Then the servants of the landowner came, and said to him, ‘Master, did not you sow good seed in your field? From where have these weeds come?’

28 “And he said to them, ‘Some envious man has done this.’ Then the servants said to him, ‘Do you wish us to go and gather them up?’

29 “But he said, ‘No, lest while you are gathering the weeds you also pluck up the wheat with them.

30 “‘Let both grow together until the harvest. And at harvest time I will say to the reapers, “First, gather the weeds, and bind them in sheaves to burn them. But gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

31 He put forth another parable to them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man takes and sows in his field,

32 “which indeed is the least of all seeds. But when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs. And it becomes a tree, so that the birds of heaven come and build in its branches.”

33 He spoke another parable to them, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till all was leavened.”

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the multitude in parables. And He did not speak to them without parables.

35 So that which was spoken by the Prophet might be fulfilled, which says, “I will open my mouth in parables, and will utter the 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 to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of that field.”

37 Then He answered, and said to them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

38 “And the field is the world. And the good seed are the children of the Kingdom. And the weeds are the children of the evil one.

39 “And the enemy who sows them is the devil. And the harvest is the end of the world. And the reapers are the angels.

40 “Just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be at the end of this world.

41 “The Son of Man shall send forth His angels. And they shall gather all stumbling blocks out of His Kingdom, and those who do iniquity,

42 “and shall cast them into a furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 “Then shall the just shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.

44 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure, hidden in the field. Which, when a man has found, he hides it. And for joy thereof, departs and sells all that he has, and buys that field.

45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant man who seeks good pearls,

46 “Who, having found a pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a draw net, cast into the sea, which gathers of all kinds of things;

48 “which, when it is full, they draw to land, and sit and gather the good into vessels, and cast away the bad.

49 “So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go forth, and separate the bad from among the just;

50 “and shall cast them into a furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

51 Jesus said to them, “Do you understand all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

52 Then He said to them, “Therefore, every scribe who is taught about the Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner who brings forth, out of his treasure, things both new and old.”

53 And it happened that when Jesus had ended these parables, He departed from there,

54 and came into His own country, and taught them in their synagogue (so that they were astonished, and said, “From where does this wisdom and these great works come to this man?”

55 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 “And are not his sisters all with us? From where, then, did he get all these things?”).

57 And they were offended by Him. Then Jesus said to them, “A Prophet is not without honor, except in His own country and in His own house.”

58 And He did not do many great works there, because of their unbelief.

Parábola del sembrador

(Mr. 4.1-9; Lc. 8.4-8)

13 Aquel día salió Jesús de la casa y se sentó junto al mar. Y se le juntó mucha gente; y entrando él en la barca, se sentó,(A) y toda la gente estaba en la playa. Y les habló muchas cosas por parábolas, diciendo: He aquí, el sembrador salió a sembrar. Y mientras sembraba, parte de la semilla cayó junto al camino; y vinieron las aves y la comieron. Parte cayó en pedregales, donde no había mucha tierra; y brotó pronto, porque no tenía profundidad de tierra; pero salido el sol, se quemó; y porque no tenía raíz, se secó. Y parte cayó entre espinos; y los espinos crecieron, y la ahogaron. Pero parte cayó en buena tierra, y dio fruto, cuál a ciento, cuál a sesenta, y cuál a treinta por uno. El que tiene oídos para oír, oiga.

Propósito de las parábolas

(Mr. 4.10-12; Lc. 8.9-10)

10 Entonces, acercándose los discípulos, le dijeron: ¿Por qué les hablas por parábolas? 11 Él respondiendo, les dijo: Porque a vosotros os es dado saber los misterios del reino de los cielos; mas a ellos no les es dado. 12 Porque a cualquiera que tiene, se le dará, y tendrá más; pero al que no tiene, aun lo que tiene le será quitado.(B) 13 Por eso les hablo por parábolas: porque viendo no ven, y oyendo no oyen, ni entienden. 14 De manera que se cumple en ellos la profecía de Isaías, que dijo:

De oído oiréis, y no entenderéis;

Y viendo veréis, y no percibiréis.

15 Porque el corazón de este pueblo se ha engrosado,

Y con los oídos oyen pesadamente,

Y han cerrado sus ojos;

Para que no vean con los ojos,

Y oigan con los oídos,

Y con el corazón entiendan,

Y se conviertan,

Y yo los sane.(C)

16 Pero bienaventurados vuestros ojos, porque ven; y vuestros oídos, porque oyen. 17 Porque de cierto os digo, que muchos profetas y justos desearon ver lo que veis, y no lo vieron; y oír lo que oís, y no lo oyeron.(D)

Jesús explica la parábola del sembrador

(Mr. 4.13-20; Lc. 8.11-15)

18 Oíd, pues, vosotros la parábola del sembrador: 19 Cuando alguno oye la palabra del reino y no la entiende, viene el malo, y arrebata lo que fue sembrado en su corazón. Este es el que fue sembrado junto al camino. 20 Y el que fue sembrado en pedregales, este es el que oye la palabra, y al momento la recibe con gozo; 21 pero no tiene raíz en sí, sino que es de corta duración, pues al venir la aflicción o la persecución por causa de la palabra, luego tropieza. 22 El que fue sembrado entre espinos, este es el que oye la palabra, pero el afán de este siglo y el engaño de las riquezas ahogan la palabra, y se hace infructuosa. 23 Mas el que fue sembrado en buena tierra, este es el que oye y entiende la palabra, y da fruto; y produce a ciento, a sesenta, y a treinta por uno.

Parábola del trigo y la cizaña

24 Les refirió otra parábola, diciendo: El reino de los cielos es semejante a un hombre que sembró buena semilla en su campo; 25 pero mientras dormían los hombres, vino su enemigo y sembró cizaña entre el trigo, y se fue. 26 Y cuando salió la hierba y dio fruto, entonces apareció también la cizaña. 27 Vinieron entonces los siervos del padre de familia y le dijeron: Señor, ¿no sembraste buena semilla en tu campo? ¿De dónde, pues, tiene cizaña? 28 Él les dijo: Un enemigo ha hecho esto. Y los siervos le dijeron: ¿Quieres, pues, que vayamos y la arranquemos? 29 Él les dijo: No, no sea que al arrancar la cizaña, arranquéis también con ella el trigo. 30 Dejad crecer juntamente lo uno y lo otro hasta la siega; y al tiempo de la siega yo diré a los segadores: Recoged primero la cizaña, y atadla en manojos para quemarla; pero recoged el trigo en mi granero.

Parábola de la semilla de mostaza

(Mr. 4.30-32; Lc. 13.18-19)

31 Otra parábola les refirió, diciendo: El reino de los cielos es semejante al grano de mostaza, que un hombre tomó y sembró en su campo; 32 el cual a la verdad es la más pequeña de todas las semillas; pero cuando ha crecido, es la mayor de las hortalizas, y se hace árbol, de tal manera que vienen las aves del cielo y hacen nidos en sus ramas.

Parábola de la levadura

(Lc. 13.20-21)

33 Otra parábola les dijo: El reino de los cielos es semejante a la levadura que tomó una mujer, y escondió en tres medidas de harina, hasta que todo fue leudado.

El uso que Jesús hace de las parábolas

(Mr. 4.33-34)

34 Todo esto habló Jesús por parábolas a la gente, y sin parábolas no les hablaba; 35 para que se cumpliese lo dicho por el profeta, cuando dijo:

Abriré en parábolas mi boca;

Declararé cosas escondidas desde la fundación del mundo.(E)

Jesús explica la parábola de la cizaña

36 Entonces, despedida la gente, entró Jesús en la casa; y acercándose a él sus discípulos, le dijeron: Explícanos la parábola de la cizaña del campo. 37 Respondiendo él, les dijo: El que siembra la buena semilla es el Hijo del Hombre. 38 El campo es el mundo; la buena semilla son los hijos del reino, y la cizaña son los hijos del malo. 39 El enemigo que la sembró es el diablo; la siega es el fin del siglo; y los segadores son los ángeles. 40 De manera que como se arranca la cizaña, y se quema en el fuego, así será en el fin de este siglo. 41 Enviará el Hijo del Hombre a sus ángeles, y recogerán de su reino a todos los que sirven de tropiezo, y a los que hacen iniquidad, 42 y los echarán en el horno de fuego; allí será el lloro y el crujir de dientes. 43 Entonces los justos resplandecerán como el sol en el reino de su Padre. El que tiene oídos para oír, oiga.

El tesoro escondido

44 Además, el reino de los cielos es semejante a un tesoro escondido en un campo, el cual un hombre halla, y lo esconde de nuevo; y gozoso por ello va y vende todo lo que tiene, y compra aquel campo.

La perla de gran precio

45 También el reino de los cielos es semejante a un mercader que busca buenas perlas, 46 que habiendo hallado una perla preciosa, fue y vendió todo lo que tenía, y la compró.

La red

47 Asimismo el reino de los cielos es semejante a una red, que echada en el mar, recoge de toda clase de peces; 48 y una vez llena, la sacan a la orilla; y sentados, recogen lo bueno en cestas, y lo malo echan fuera. 49 Así será al fin del siglo: saldrán los ángeles, y apartarán a los malos de entre los justos, 50 y los echarán en el horno de fuego; allí será el lloro y el crujir de dientes.

Tesoros nuevos y viejos

51 Jesús les dijo: ¿Habéis entendido todas estas cosas? Ellos respondieron: Sí, Señor. 52 Él les dijo: Por eso todo escriba docto en el reino de los cielos es semejante a un padre de familia, que saca de su tesoro cosas nuevas y cosas viejas.

Jesús en Nazaret

(Mr. 6.1-6; Lc. 4.16-30)

53 Aconteció que cuando terminó Jesús estas parábolas, se fue de allí. 54 Y venido a su tierra, les enseñaba en la sinagoga de ellos, de tal manera que se maravillaban, y decían: ¿De dónde tiene este esta sabiduría y estos milagros? 55 ¿No es este el hijo del carpintero? ¿No se llama su madre María, y sus hermanos, Jacobo, José, Simón y Judas? 56 ¿No están todas sus hermanas con nosotros? ¿De dónde, pues, tiene este todas estas cosas? 57 Y se escandalizaban de él. Pero Jesús les dijo: No hay profeta sin honra, sino en su propia tierra y en su casa.(F) 58 Y no hizo allí muchos milagros, a causa de la incredulidad de ellos.