Jesus Teaches in Parables

13 On that day Jesus had gone out of (A)the house and was sitting (B)by the sea. And 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 told them many things 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. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and they sprang up immediately, because they had no depth of soil. But after the sun rose, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell [a]among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. But others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a (E)hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much. (F)The one who has ears, [b]let him hear.”

An Explanation for Parables

10 And the disciples came up and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 And [c]Jesus answered them, (G)To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 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 [d]in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

[e](J)You shall keep on listening, [f]but shall not understand;
And [g]you shall keep on looking, [h]but shall not perceive;
15 (K)For the heart of this people has become dull,
With their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes,
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
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 people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

The Sower Explained

18 (N)Listen then to the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears (O)the [i]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 sown with seed beside the road. 20 The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution occurs because of the [j]word, immediately he [k](Q)falls away. 22 And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of (R)the [l]world and the (S)deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it [m]becomes unfruitful. 23 But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some (T)a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.”

Weeds among Wheat

24 Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, (U)The kingdom of heaven [n]is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed [o]weeds among the wheat, and left. 26 And when the [p]wheat sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also became evident. 27 And the slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? [q]How then does it have weeds?’ 28 And he said to them, ‘[r]An 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; while you are gathering up the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them; but (V)gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

The Mustard Seed

31 He presented another parable to them, saying, (W)The kingdom of heaven is like (X)a mustard seed, which a person took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all the other seeds, but when it is fully grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that (Y)the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.”

The Leaven

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

34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak anything to them (AB)without a parable. 35 This was so that what was spoken through the prophet would be [u]fulfilled:

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

The Weeds 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 [v]weeds of the field.” 37 And He 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 weeds 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 [w]end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40 So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at (AK)the [x]end of the age. 41 (AL)The Son of Man (AM)will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom [y]all (AN)stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and they (AO)will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place (AP)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 (AQ)Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (AR)The one who has ears, [z]let him hear.

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 [aa]joy over it he goes and (AT)sells everything 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 everything that he had and bought it.

A Dragnet

47 “Again, (AV)the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they pulled 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 [ab]end of the age: the angels will come forth and remove the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and they (AX)will throw them into the furnace of fire; 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 [ac]Jesus 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 new things and old.”

Jesus Revisits Nazareth

53 (AZ)When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. 54 And (BA)He came to [ad]His hometown and (BB)began teaching them in their synagogue, with the result that (BC)they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man acquire this wisdom and these [ae]miraculous powers? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is (BD)His mother not called Mary, and His (BE)brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 56 And (BF)His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man acquire all these things?” 57 And they took (BG)offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, (BH)A prophet is not dishonored except in his [af]hometown and in his own household.” 58 And He did not do many [ag]miracles there because of their unbelief.

John the Baptist Beheaded

14 [ah](BI)At that time [ai](BJ)Herod [aj]the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, and said to his servants, “(BK)This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

For when (BL)Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him (BM)in prison because of (BN)Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had been saying to him, “(BO)It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded [ak]John as (BP)a prophet.

But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of (BQ)Herodias danced [al]before them and pleased (BR)Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. And after being prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and [am]his dinner guests. 10 He sent word and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 [an]John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried [ao]it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

Five Thousand Men Fed

13 (BS)Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the [ap]people heard about this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 When He came [aq]ashore, He (BT)saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and (BU)healed their sick.

15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is secluded and the hour is already past to eat; send the crowds away, so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go; you give them something to eat!” 17 They *said to Him, “We have nothing here except (BV)five loaves and two fish.” 18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 And ordering the crowds to [ar]sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looked up toward heaven. He (BW)blessed the food and breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces: twelve full (BX)baskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 (BY)Immediately afterward He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, (BZ)He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already [as]a long distance from the land, [at]battered by the waves; for the wind was [au](CA)contrary. 25 And in (CB)the [av]fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is (CC)a ghost!” And they cried out [aw]in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, (CD)Take courage, [ax]it is I; (CE)do not be afraid.”

28 Peter responded and said to Him, “Lord, if [ay]it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, (CF)You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly (CG)God’s Son!”

34 (CH)When they had crossed over, they came to land at (CI)Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place [az]recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding region and brought to Him all who were sick; 36 and they pleaded with Him that they might just touch (CJ)the [ba]border of His cloak; and all who (CK)touched it were cured.

Tradition and Commandment

15 (CL)Then some Pharisees and scribes *came to Jesus (CM)from Jerusalem and said, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they (CN)do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves also break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘(CO)Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘(CP)The one who speaks evil of father or mother is to [bb]be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been [bc]given to God,” he is not to [bd]honor his father or mother.’ And by this you have invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you, by saying:

(CQ)This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
And in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as (CR)doctrines the commandments of men.’”

10 After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand! 11 (CS)It is not what enters the mouth that defiles the person, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles the person.”

12 Then the disciples came and *said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were [be]offended when they heard this statement?” 13 But He answered and said, (CT)Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone; (CU)they are blind guides [bf]of blind people. And (CV)if a person who is blind guides another who is blind, both will fall into a pit.”

The Heart of Man

15 Peter [bg]said to Him, “(CW)Explain the parable to us.” 16 [bh]Jesus said, “Are you also still lacking in understanding? 17 Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is [bi]eliminated? 18 But (CX)the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and those things defile the person. 19 (CY)For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and [bj]slanderous statements. 20 These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.”

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 (CZ)Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the region of (DA)Tyre and (DB)Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, (DC)Son of David; my daughter is severely (DD)demon-possessed.” 23 But He did not answer her with even a word. And His disciples came up and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting [bk]at us!” 24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to (DE)the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and (DF)began [bl]to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26 Yet He answered and said, “It is not [bm]good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 And she said, “Yes, Lord; but please help, for even the dogs feed on the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, (DG)your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed [bn]at once.

Healing Crowds

29 (DH)Departing from there, Jesus went along (DI)the Sea of Galilee, and after going up on the mountain, He was sitting there. 30 And [bo]large crowds came to Him bringing with them those who were limping, had impaired limbs, were blind, or were unable to speak, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and (DJ)He healed them. 31 So the crowd was astonished as they saw those who were unable to speak talking, those with impaired limbs [bp]restored, those who were limping walking around, and those who were blind seeing; and they (DK)glorified the God of Israel.

Four Thousand Men Fed

32 (DL)Now Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, (DM)I feel compassion for the [bq]people, because they [br]have remained with Me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” 33 The disciples *said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?” 34 And Jesus *said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 And He directed the [bs]people to [bt]sit down on the ground; 36 and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and after (DN)giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large (DO)baskets full. 38 And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

39 And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into (DP)the boat and came to the region of (DQ)Magadan.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 13:7 Lit upon
  2. Matthew 13:9 Or hear! Or listen!
  3. Matthew 13:11 Lit He
  4. Matthew 13:14 Lit for them
  5. Matthew 13:14 Lit With a hearing you shall hear; a Heb idiom
  6. Matthew 13:14 Lit and
  7. Matthew 13:14 Lit Seeing you shall see
  8. Matthew 13:14 Lit and
  9. Matthew 13:19 I.e., message
  10. Matthew 13:21 I.e., message
  11. Matthew 13:21 I.e., from the faith
  12. Matthew 13:22 Or age
  13. Matthew 13:22 Or proves to be unfruitful
  14. Matthew 13:24 Lit has been compared to
  15. Matthew 13:25 Prob. darnel, a weed resembling wheat
  16. Matthew 13:26 Lit grass
  17. Matthew 13:27 Lit From where
  18. Matthew 13:28 Lit A hostile person
  19. Matthew 13:33 I.e., fermented dough
  20. Matthew 13:33 A Gr term for a Heb measure, totaling about 48 lb. or 22 kg of flour
  21. Matthew 13:35 Lit fulfilled, saying
  22. Matthew 13:36 Prob. darnel, a weed resembling wheat
  23. Matthew 13:39 Or consummation
  24. Matthew 13:40 Or consummation
  25. Matthew 13:41 Or everything that is offensive
  26. Matthew 13:43 Or hear! Or listen!
  27. Matthew 13:44 Or his joy, he goes
  28. Matthew 13:49 Or consummation
  29. Matthew 13:52 Lit He
  30. Matthew 13:54 Or His own part of the country
  31. Matthew 13:54 Or miracles
  32. Matthew 13:57 Or own part of the country
  33. Matthew 13:58 Or works of power
  34. Matthew 14:1 Or On that occasion
  35. Matthew 14:1 I.e., Herod Antipas
  36. Matthew 14:1 I.e., a regional ruler
  37. Matthew 14:5 Lit him
  38. Matthew 14:6 Lit in the midst
  39. Matthew 14:9 Lit those who reclined at the table with him
  40. Matthew 14:12 Lit his
  41. Matthew 14:12 Lit him
  42. Matthew 14:13 Lit the crowds
  43. Matthew 14:14 Lit out
  44. Matthew 14:19 Lit recline
  45. Matthew 14:24 Lit many stadia from; a Roman stadion perhaps averaged 607 ft. or 185 m
  46. Matthew 14:24 Lit tormented
  47. Matthew 14:24 Or adverse
  48. Matthew 14:25 I.e., 3-6 a.m.
  49. Matthew 14:26 Lit from
  50. Matthew 14:27 Lit I am
  51. Matthew 14:28 Lit You are
  52. Matthew 14:35 Or found out about
  53. Matthew 14:36 Or tassel; i.e., a ritual tassel sewn to corners of garments for Jewish men
  54. Matthew 15:4 Lit die the death
  55. Matthew 15:5 Lit a gift; i.e., an offering
  56. Matthew 15:6 I.e., by supporting them with it
  57. Matthew 15:12 Lit caused to stumble
  58. Matthew 15:14 Later mss add of blind people
  59. Matthew 15:15 Lit answering, said
  60. Matthew 15:16 Lit and He
  61. Matthew 15:17 Lit thrown out into the latrine
  62. Matthew 15:19 Or abusive speech
  63. Matthew 15:23 Lit behind us
  64. Matthew 15:25 Or worshiped
  65. Matthew 15:26 Or proper
  66. Matthew 15:28 Lit from that hour
  67. Matthew 15:30 Lit many
  68. Matthew 15:31 Or healthy
  69. Matthew 15:32 Lit crowd
  70. Matthew 15:32 Lit are remaining
  71. Matthew 15:35 Lit crowd
  72. Matthew 15:35 Lit recline

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.

John the Baptist Beheaded(BI)

14 At that time Herod(BJ) the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,(BK) and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist;(BL) he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison(BM) because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,(BN) for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”(BO) Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.(BP)

On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded(BQ) in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it.(BR) Then they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(BS)(BT)

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them(BU) and healed their sick.(BV)

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves(BW) of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.(BX) Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water(BY)(BZ)

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.(CA) Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”(CB) they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!(CC) It is I. Don’t be afraid.”(CD)

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”(CE) he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”(CF)

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak,(CG) and all who touched it were healed.

That Which Defiles(CH)

15 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”(CI)

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’[d](CJ) and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[e](CK) But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.(CL)[f](CM)

10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them,(CN) but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”(CO)

12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted(CP) will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides.[g](CQ) If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”(CR)

15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”(CS)

16 “Are you still so dull?”(CT) Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart,(CU) and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.(CV) 20 These are what defile a person;(CW) but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman(CX)

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.(CY) 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David,(CZ) have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”(DA)

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”(DB)

25 The woman came and knelt before him.(DC) “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith!(DD) Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand(DE)(DF)(DG)

29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.(DH) 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.(DI)

32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people;(DJ) they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them(DK) and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.(DL) 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.

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
  4. Matthew 15:4 Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16
  5. Matthew 15:4 Exodus 21:17; Lev. 20:9
  6. Matthew 15:9 Isaiah 29:13
  7. Matthew 15:14 Some manuscripts blind guides of the blind