Matthew 13:34-46

English Standard Version

Prophecy and Parables

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

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

³⁶ Then he left the crowds and went into ^(E)the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, ^(F)“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 ^(G)the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are ^(H)the sons of the evil one, ³⁹ and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. ^(I)The harvest is ^(J)the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. ⁴⁰ Just as the weeds ^(K)are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at ^(L)the end of the age. ^41 (M)The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all ^(N)causes of sin and ^(O)all law-breakers, ^42 (P)and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place ^(Q)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then ^(R)the righteous will shine like the sun ^(S)in the kingdom of their Father. ^(T)He who has ears, let him hear.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven ^(U)is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy ^(V)he goes and sells all that he has and ^(W)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 ^(X)one pearl of great value, ^(Y)went and sold all that he had and ^(Z)bought it.