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The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house (A)and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, (B)so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And (C)he told them many things in parables, saying: (D)“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but (E)when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, (F)they withered away. Other seeds fell among (G)thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some (H)a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (I)He who has ears,[a] let him hear.”

The Purpose of the Parables

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, (J)“To you it has been given to know (K)the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 (L)For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, (M)even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because (N)seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, (O)nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

(P)“‘You will indeed hear but never understand,
    and you will indeed see but never perceive.
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
    and with their ears (Q)they can barely hear,
    and (R)their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and (S)understand with their heart
    and (T)turn, and I would heal them.’

16 But (U)blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 (V)For truly, I say to you, (W)many prophets and righteous people longed 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 (X)“Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of (Y)the kingdom and (Z)does not understand it, (AA)the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately (AB)receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but (AC)endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately (AD)he falls away.[b] 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but (AE)the cares of (AF)the world and (AG)the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and (AH)understands it. He indeed (AI)bears fruit and yields, in one case (AJ)a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

The Parable of the Weeds

24 He put another parable before them, saying, (AK)“The kingdom of heaven 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 weeds[c] among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants[d] of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, (AL)‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, (AM)Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

The Mustard Seed and the Leaven

31 He put another parable before them, saying, (AN)“The kingdom of heaven is like (AO)a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

33 He told them another parable. (AP)“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in (AQ)three measures of flour, till it was (AR)all leavened.”

Prophecy and Parables

34 (AS)All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet:[e]

(AT)“I will open my mouth in parables;
    (AU)I will utter what has been hidden (AV)since the foundation of the world.”

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

36 Then he left the crowds and went into (AW)the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, (AX)“Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is (AY)the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are (AZ)the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. (BA)The harvest is (BB)the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds (BC)are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at (BD)the close of the age. 41 (BE)The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all (BF)causes of sin and (BG)all law-breakers, 42 (BH)and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place (BI)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then (BJ)the righteous will shine like the sun (BK)in the kingdom of their Father. (BL)He who has ears, let him hear.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

44 “The kingdom of heaven (BM)is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy (BN)he goes and sells all that he has and (BO)buys that field.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding (BP)one pearl of great value, (BQ)went and sold all that he had and (BR)bought it.

The Parable of the Net

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is (BS)like a net that was thrown into the sea and (BT)gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, (BU)men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at (BV)the close of the age. The angels will come out and (BW)separate the evil from the righteous 50 (BX)and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place (BY)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

New and Old Treasures

51 (BZ)“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every (CA)scribe (CB)who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who (CC)brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 (CD)and coming to (CE)his home town (CF)he taught them in their synagogue, so that (CG)they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 (CH)Is not this (CI)the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not (CJ)his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And (CK)they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, (CL)“A prophet is not without honour except in his home town and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, (CM)because of their unbelief.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 13:9 Some manuscripts add here and in verse 43 to hear
  2. Matthew 13:21 Or stumbles
  3. Matthew 13:25 Probably darnel, a wheat-like weed
  4. Matthew 13:27 Greek bondservants; also verse 28
  5. Matthew 13:35 Some manuscripts Isaiah the prophet

撒種的比喻(A)

13 那一天,耶穌從房子裡出來,坐在海邊。 有很多人聚集到他那裡。於是,他上船坐下來,眾人都站在岸上。 他用比喻對眾人講了許多事,說:“有一個撒種的出去撒種。 撒的時候,有的落在路旁,小鳥飛來就吃掉了。 有的落在泥土不多的石地上,因為泥土不深,很快就長起來。 但太陽一出來,就把它曬乾,又因為沒有根就枯萎了。 有的落在荊棘裡,荊棘長大了,就把它擠住。 有的落在好土裡,結出果實,有一百倍的,有六十倍的,有三十倍的。 有耳的,就應當聽。”

用比喻的目的(B)

10 門徒上前問耶穌:“你對他們講話,為甚麼用比喻呢?” 11 他回答:“天國的奧祕,只給你們知道,卻不給他們知道。 12 因為凡是有的,還要給他,他就充足有餘;凡是沒有的,就連他有甚麼也要拿去。 13 因此,我用比喻對他們講話,因為他們看卻看不見,聽也聽不到,也不明白。 14 以賽亞的預言,正應驗在他們身上,他說:

‘你們聽是聽見了,總是不明白;

看是看見了,總是不領悟。

15 因為這人民的心思遲鈍,

用不靈的耳朵去聽,

又閉上了眼睛;

免得自己眼睛看見,耳朵聽見,

心裡明白,回轉過來,

我就醫好他們。’

16 “你們的眼睛是有福的,因為可以看見;你們的耳朵是有福的,因為可以聽見。 17 我實在告訴你們,曾經有許多先知和義人想看你們所看見的,卻沒有看到,想聽你們所聽見的,卻沒有聽到。

解釋撒種的比喻(C)

18 “所以你們要聽這撒種人的比喻。 19 凡是聽了天國的道卻不明白的,那惡者就來把撒在他心中的奪去。這就是撒在路旁的。 20 那撒在石地上的,就是人聽了道,立刻歡歡喜喜地接受, 21 可是他裡面沒有根,只是暫時的;一旦為道遭遇患難,受到迫害,就立刻跌倒了。 22 那撒在荊棘裡的,就是人聽了道,有今世的憂慮和財富的迷惑把道擠住,結不出果實來。 23 那撒在好土裡的,就是人聽了道,又明白了,結出果實來,有一百倍的,有六十倍的,有三十倍的。”

稗子的比喻

24 耶穌對他們另外講了一個比喻,說:“天國好像人把好的種子撒在田裡。 25 人們睡了的時候,他的仇敵來把稗子撒在麥子中間,就走了。 26 到了發苗吐穗的時候,稗子也顯出來。 27 僕人都前來問家主:‘主人,你不是把好的種子撒在田裡嗎?那些稗子是從哪裡來的呢?’ 28 他回答:‘這是仇敵所作的。’僕人問他:‘你要我們去拔掉它嗎?’ 29 他說:‘不用,因為拔稗子的時候,恐怕也把麥子連根拔出來。 30 收割之前,讓它們一同生長。到了收割的時候,我會吩咐收割的工人先拔掉稗子,捆起來,留著焚燒,卻要把麥子收進我的倉裡。’”

芥菜種和麵酵的比喻(D)

31 耶穌又對他們講了另外一個比喻,說:“天國好像一粒芥菜種,人拿去把它種在田裡。 32 它是種子中最小的,但長大了,卻比其他的蔬菜都大,成為一棵樹,甚至天空的飛鳥也來在它的枝頭搭窩。”

33 他對他們講了另一個比喻:“天國好像麵酵,婦女拿去放在三斗麵裡,直到全團發起來。”

解釋稗子的比喻

34 耶穌用比喻向群眾講了這一切,他所講的,沒有不用比喻的。 35 這就應驗了先知所說的:

“我要開口用比喻,

把創世以來隱祕的事說出來。”

36 耶穌離開群眾,進到屋裡,門徒前來問他:“請你給我們解釋田裡稗子的比喻。” 37 他回答:“那撒好種子的是人子, 38 田就是世界,好種子就是屬天國的人,稗子就是屬那惡者的人, 39 撒稗子的仇敵是魔鬼,收割的時候是這世代的終結,收割的工人是天使。 40 稗子怎樣被拔掉用火焚燒,在這世代終結的時候,也是一樣。 41 那時,人子要差派他的使者,把一切使人犯罪的事和不法之徒,從他的國中拔掉, 42 丟進火爐,在那裡必要哀哭切齒。 43 那時,義人在他們父的國中,要像太陽一樣的照耀。有耳的,就應當聽。

其他的比喻

44 “天國好像藏在田裡的寶貝,有人發現了,就把它藏起來,高高興興地離去,變賣了他的一切,來買那田地。

45 “天國好像一個商人,搜羅寶貴的珍珠。 46 他發現了一顆極貴重的珍珠,就離去,變賣了他的一切,來買那顆珍珠。

47 “天國又好像一個網,撒在海裡,網到各樣的魚。 48 網滿了之後,人就把網拉上岸,坐下來把好的揀出,收藏起來,不好的就丟在外面。 49 這世代終結的時候,也是一樣。那時天使要出去,把惡人從義人中分別出來。 50 丟進火爐,在那裡必要哀哭切齒。

51 “這一切你們明白嗎?”他們回答:“明白。” 52 耶穌說:“所以,每一個作天國門徒的經學家,就像家主從寶庫中拿出新和舊的東西來。”

耶穌在本鄉遭人厭棄(E)

53 耶穌講完了這些比喻,就離開那地方。 54 他回到自己的家鄉,在會堂裡教導人,眾人都驚奇,說:“這個人的智慧和能力是從哪裡來的呢? 55 他不是木匠的兒子嗎?他母親不是馬利亞,他弟弟不是雅各、約瑟、西門和猶大嗎? 56 他妹妹不是都在我們這裡嗎?他這一切是從哪裡來的呢?” 57 他們就厭棄耶穌。耶穌對他們說:“先知除了在本鄉本家之外,沒有不受人尊敬的。” 58 因為他們不信,他就不在那裡多行神蹟了。

The Parable of the Sower(A)(B)(C)

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house(D) and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat(E) and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,(F) sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”(G)

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven(H) has been given to you,(I) but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.(J) 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.(K)

14 In them is fulfilled(L) the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a](M)

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.(N) 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see(O) but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom(P) and does not understand it, the evil one(Q) comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.(R) 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth(S) choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”(T)

The Parable of the Weeds

24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(U) a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”(V)

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast(W)(X)

31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(Y) a mustard seed,(Z) which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”(AA)

33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(AB) yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[b] of flour(AC) until it worked all through the dough.”(AD)

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.(AE) 35 So was fulfilled(AF) what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables,
    I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”[c](AG)

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(AH) of the weeds in the field.”

37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.(AI) 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,(AJ) 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest(AK) is the end of the age,(AL) and the harvesters are angels.(AM)

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(AN) will send out his angels,(AO) 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.(AP) 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun(AQ) in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.(AR)

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like(AS) 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.(AT)

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like(AU) 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(AV) a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds(AW) 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(AX) 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(AY)

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(AZ)

53 When Jesus had finished these parables,(BA) he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue,(BB) and they were amazed.(BC) “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?(BD) Isn’t his mother’s(BE) name Mary, and aren’t his brothers(BF) 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(BG) at him.

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

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

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 13:15 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
  2. Matthew 13:33 Or about 27 kilograms
  3. Matthew 13:35 Psalm 78:2