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

13 That ekeinos same en · ho day hēmera Jesus Iēsous went exerchomai out · ho of the ho house oikia and was sitting kathēmai by para the ho sea thalassa. And kai great polys crowds ochlos gathered synagō around pros him autos so hōste that he autos got embainō into eis a boat ploion and sat kathēmai down , and kai all pas the ho crowd ochlos stood histēmi on epi the ho beach aigialos. And kai he told laleō them autos many polys things in en parables parabolē, saying legō: “A sower speirō went exerchomai out · ho to ho sow speirō. And kai as en · ho he autos sowed speirō, some hos seeds fell piptō along para the ho path hodos, and kai the ho birds peteinon came erchomai and devoured katesthiō them autos. Other allos · de seed fell piptō on epi · ho rocky petrōdēs places , where hopou it did not ou have echō much polys soil ; and kai immediately eutheōs it sprouted exanatellō because dia · ho it had echō no depth bathos of soil . But de when the sun hēlios came anatellō up it was scorched kaumatizō; and kai because dia · ho it had echō no root rhiza, it withered xērainō away . Other allos · de seed fell piptō among epi · ho thorns akantha, and kai the ho thorns akantha grew anabainō up and kai choked pnigō it autos. Other allos · de seed fell piptō on epi · ho good kalos soil · ho and kai produced didōmi grain karpos, some hos a hundredfold hekaton, some hos · de sixty hexēkonta, and de some hos thirty triakonta. He ho who has echō ears ous, let him hear akouō!”

10 And kai the ho disciples mathētēs came proserchomai to him autos and said legō, “ Why dia tis do you speak laleō to them autos in en parables parabolē?” 11 He ho · de answered apokrinomai them autos, saying legō, “ Because hoti to you hymeis it has been given didōmi to know ginōskō the ho mysteries mystērion of the ho kingdom basileia of ho heaven ouranos, but de to them ekeinos it has not ou been given didōmi. 12 For gar to autos the one autos who hostis has echō, more will be given didōmi, and kai he will have an abundance perisseuō; but de from apo the one autos who hostis does not ou have echō, even kai what hos he has echō will be taken airō away . 13 This is why dia I speak laleō to them autos in en parables parabolē, because hoti seeing blepō they do not ou see blepō and kai hearing akouō they do not ou hear akouō nor oude do they understand syniēmi. 14 And kai in them autos the ho prophecy prophēteia of Isaiah ēsaias is being fulfilled anaplēroō that ho says legō: ‘ You will surely akoē hear akouō but kai never ou mē understand syniēmi, and kai you will surely blepō see blepō but kai never ou mē perceive. 15 For gar the ho heart kardia of ho this houtos people laos has become dull pachunō, and kai with their ho ears ous they scarcely bareōs hear akouō, and kai · ho their autos eyes ophthalmos they have closed kammyō, lest mēpote they should see with their ho eyes ophthalmos and kai hear akouō with their ho ears ous and kai understand syniēmi with their ho hearts kardia and kai turn epistrephō, and kai I would heal iaomai them autos.’ 16 But de blessed makarios are your hymeis · ho eyes ophthalmos, because hoti they see blepō, and kai · ho your hymeis ears ous, because hoti they hear akouō. 17 I tell legō you hymeis the truth amēn, many polys prophets prophētēs and kai righteous dikaios people longed epithumeō to see the hos things you are seeing blepō but kai did not ou see them, and kai to hear akouō the hos things you are hearing akouō but kai did not ou hear akouō them.

18  Hear akouō then oun the ho parable parabolē of the ho sower speirō: 19 When anyone pas hears akouō the ho message logos of the ho kingdom basileia and kai does not understand syniēmi it, the ho evil one ponēros comes erchomai and kai snatches harpazō away that ho which was sown speirō in en · ho his autos heart kardia. This houtos is eimi what ho was sown speirō along para the ho path hodos. 20 As for de the ho one who was sown speirō on epi · ho rocky petrōdēs places , this houtos is eimi the ho one who hears akouō the ho message logos and kai immediately receives lambanō it autos with meta joy chara; 21 yet de he has echō no ou root rhiza in en himself heautou but alla lasts eimi only a short time proskairos, and de when suffering thlipsis or ē persecution diōgmos arises ginomai on dia account of the ho message logos, immediately he falls skandalizō away . 22 As for de the ho one who was sown speirō among eis · ho thorns akantha, this houtos is eimi the ho one who hears akouō the ho message logos, but kai · ho worldly aiōn anxiety merimna · ho and kai the ho deception apatē of ho wealth ploutos choke sympnigō the ho message logos and kai it becomes ginomai unfruitful akarpos. 23 As for de the ho one who was sown speirō on epi · ho good kalos soil , this houtos is eimi the ho one who hears akouō the ho message logos and kai understands syniēmi it, who hos indeed bears karpophoreō fruit and kai produces poieō, some hos a hundredfold hekaton, some hos · de sixty hexēkonta, and de some hos thirty triakonta.”

24 Jesus put paratithēmi another allos parable parabolē before paratithēmi them autos, saying legō: “ The ho kingdom basileia of ho heaven ouranos is like homoioō a man anthrōpos sowing speirō good kalos seed sperma in en · ho his autos field agros. 25 But de while en · ho everyone anthrōpos was sleeping katheudō, · ho his autos enemy echthros came erchomai · ho and kai sowed epispeirō weeds zizanion among ana mesos the ho wheat sitos and kai went aperchomai away . 26 When hote · de the ho plants chortos came blastanō up and kai bore poieō grain karpos, then tote the ho weeds zizanion appeared phainō as kai well . 27 And de the ho servants of the ho master oikodespotēs of the house came proserchomai and said legō to him autos, ‘ Sir kyrios, did you speirō not ouchi sow speirō good kalos seed sperma in en · ho your sos field agros? Why pothen then oun does it have echō weeds zizanion?’ 28 And de he ho said phēmi to them autos, ‘An enemy echthros has done poieō this houtos!’ And de the ho servants said legō to him autos, ‘ So oun do you want thelō us to go aperchomai and gather syllegō them autos?’ 29 But de he ho replied phēmi, ‘ No ou, lest mēpote in gathering syllegō the ho weeds zizanion you uproot ekrizoō the ho wheat sitos along hama with them autos. 30 Let aphiēmi both amphoteroi grow synauxanō together until heōs the ho harvest therismos; and kai at en harvest therismos time kairos · ho I will tell legō the ho harvesters theristēs, “ First prōton gather syllegō the ho weeds zizanion and kai bind deō them autos into eis bundles desmē to pros · ho be burned katakaiō, then de gather synagō the ho wheat sitos into eis · ho my egō barn apothēkē.”’”

31 He gave paratithēmi them autos another allos parable parabolē, saying legō: “ The ho kingdom basileia of ho heaven ouranos is eimi like homoios a mustard sinapi seed kokkos that hos a man anthrōpos took lambanō and sowed speirō in en · ho his autos field agros. 32 It hos is eimi the smallest mikros of all pas the ho seeds sperma; but de when hotan it is grown auxanō, it is eimi larger megas than all the ho garden lachanon plants and kai becomes ginomai a tree dendron so hōste that the ho birds peteinon of the ho air ouranos come erchomai and kai nest kataskēnoō in en · ho its autos branches klados.” 33 He spoke laleō another allos parable parabolē to them autos: “ The ho kingdom basileia of ho heaven ouranos is eimi like homoios leaven zymē, which hos a woman gynē took lambanō and put enkryptō into eis three treis measures saton of flour aleuron, until heōs hos it was all holos leavened zymoō.”

34 All pas these houtos things Jesus Iēsous spoke laleō · ho to the ho crowds ochlos in en parables parabolē, and kai without chōris a parable parabolē he told laleō them autos nothing oudeis; 35 so hopōs that what ho was spoken legō by dia the ho prophet prophētēs might be fulfilled plēroō, saying legō, “ I will open anoigō my egō mouth stoma in en parables parabolē; · ho I will utter ereugomai things kept secret kryptō from apo the foundation katabolē of the world kosmos.”

36 Then tote he left aphiēmi the ho crowds ochlos and went erchomai into eis the ho house oikia. And kai his autos disciples mathētēs came proserchomai to him autos, · ho saying legō, “ Explain diasapheō to us hēmeis the ho parable parabolē of the ho weeds zizanion in the ho field agros.” 37 And de he ho answered apokrinomai, saying legō, “ The ho one who sows speirō the ho good kalos seed sperma is eimi the ho Son hyios of ho Man anthrōpos; 38 and de the ho field agros is eimi the ho world kosmos; and de as for the ho good kalos seed sperma, these houtos are eimi the ho sons hyios of the ho kingdom basileia; and de the ho weeds zizanion are eimi the ho sons hyios of the ho evil ponēros one ; 39 and de the ho enemy echthros who ho sowed speirō them autos is eimi the ho devil diabolos; and de the ho harvest therismos is eimi the end synteleia of the age aiōn; and de the ho harvesters theristēs are eimi the angels angelos. 40 Therefore oun just hōsper as the ho weeds zizanion are gathered syllegō and kai burned katakaiō in the fire pyr, so houtōs it will be eimi at en the ho end synteleia of the ho age aiōn. 41 The ho Son hyios of ho Man anthrōpos will send apostellō · ho his autos angels angelos, and kai they will gather syllegō out ek of ho his autos kingdom basileia everything pas that ho causes skandalon sin and kai those ho who break poieō his ho laws anomia. 42 And kai they will throw ballō them autos into eis the ho fiery pyr furnace kaminos, · ho where ekei there will be eimi · ho weeping klauthmos and kai · ho gnashing brygmos of ho teeth odous. 43 Then tote the ho righteous dikaios will shine eklampō like hōs the ho sun hēlios in en the ho kingdom basileia of ho their autos Father patēr. He ho who has echō ears ous, let him hear akouō!

44  The ho kingdom basileia of ho heaven ouranos is eimi like homoios treasure thēsauros hidden kryptō in en a ho field agros that hos a man anthrōpos found heuriskō and covered kryptō up . Then kai in apo · ho his autos joy chara he goes hypagō and kai sells pōleō all pas that hosos he has echō and kai buys agorazō · ho that ekeinos field agros. 45 Again palin, the ho kingdom basileia of ho heaven ouranos is eimi like homoios a merchant emporos searching zēteō for fine kalos pearls margaritēs; 46 and de when he found heuriskō one heis pearl margaritēs of great value polytimos, he went aperchomai away and sold pipraskō all pas that hosos he had echō and kai bought agorazō it autos. 47 Again palin, the ho kingdom basileia of ho heaven ouranos is eimi like homoios a dragnet sagēnē that was cast ballō into eis the ho sea thalassa and kai caught synagō fish of ek every pas kind genos; 48 and when hote it was full plēroō, they pulled anabibazō it up onto epi the ho shore aigialos; and kai they sat kathizō down and put syllegō the ho good kalos fish into eis baskets angos, but de the ho bad sapros they threw ballō away exō. 49 So houtōs it will be eimi at en the ho end synteleia of the ho age aiōn; the ho angels angelos will go exerchomai out and kai separate aphorizō the ho wicked ponēros from ek mesos the ho righteous dikaios 50 and kai cast ballō them autos into eis the ho fiery pyr furnace kaminos, · ho where ekei there will be eimi · ho weeping klauthmos and kai · ho gnashing brygmos of ho teeth odous.

51  Have you understood syniēmi all pas these houtos things ?” They said legō to him autos, “ Yes nai.” 52 And de he ho said legō to them autos, “ Therefore dia houtos every pas scribe grammateus who has become a disciple mathēteuō in the ho kingdom basileia of ho heaven ouranos is eimi like homoios the master oikodespotēs of a house who hostis brings ekballō out of ek · ho his autos treasure thēsauros things new kainos and kai old palaios.”

53 Now kai when hote Jesus Iēsous had finished teleō · ho · ho these houtos parables parabolē, he moved metairō on from there ekeithen. 54 And kai upon arriving erchomai at eis · ho his autos hometown patris, he taught didaskō them autos in en · ho their autos synagogue synagōgē so hōste that they autos were amazed ekplēssō and kai said legō, “ Where pothen did this houtos man get such houtos · ho wisdom sophia and kai · ho miraculous dynamis powers ? 55 Is eimi not ou this houtos the ho · ho carpenter’ s tektōn son hyios? Is not ou · ho his autos mother mētēr called legō Mary Mariam, and kai · ho his autos brothers adelphos James Iakōbos and kai Joseph Iōsēph and kai Simon Simōn and kai Judas Ioudas? 56 And kai · ho his autos sisters adelphē, are they eimi not ouchi all pas with pros us hēmeis? Where pothen then oun did this houtos man get all pas these houtos things ?” 57 And kai they were deeply offended skandalizō at en him autos. · ho But de Jesus Iēsous said legō to them autos, “A prophet prophētēs is eimi not ou without atimos honor except ei mē in en his ho hometown patris and kai in en his autos own ho household oikia.” 58 And kai he did not ou do poieō many polys miracles dynamis there ekei because dia of · ho their autos unbelief apistia.