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.

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

播种的寓言

13 同一天,耶稣走出屋子,坐在湖边。 很多人聚集在他周围,他只好到一条小船上坐下来,人群还留在岸上。 他用寓言教给人们许多道理。他说∶“有个农夫去种地。 播种的时候,有些种子落在路边,被飞来的鸟儿吃掉了; 另外一些种子落在浅土的石地上,因为土浅,种子很快就发芽了, 但是扎不下根,太阳出来一晒,他们就枯萎了;有些种子落在荆棘丛中, 被长起来的荆棘埋没和窒息了; 还有些种子落在肥沃的土壤里,结出的子粒比种下的种子多三十倍、六十倍甚至上百倍, 凡能听见我说话的人,听着。”

耶稣为什么用寓言传教

10 门徒们来问耶稣∶“您为什么用这些寓言来教导人们?”

11 耶稣回答说∶“关于天国的奥秘只让你们知道,而不会让他们知道。 12 已经拥有的人会得到更多,甚至比他需要的还多。几乎一无所有的人,连他仅有的那一点东西也要被拿走。 13 这就是为什么我用寓言故事教导他们。因为这些人看了,但并没有真正地看见;他们听了,但没有真正地理解。 14 这正应验了以赛亚的预言:

‘你们会听,并听见,
却什么也听不懂,
你们会看,并看见
却理解不了你们所看到的。
15 是的,这些人的头脑已经变得迟钝,
这些人堵住了自己的耳朵,
闭上了自己的眼睛。
因此他们用眼看不见,
用耳听不到,
或用心不能理解,
这一切使他们无法转向我,
无法让我治愈他们。’ (A)

16 但是,你们有眼福,因为你们看得见;你们有耳福,因为你们听得见。 17 我实话告诉你们:许多先知和好人都想看而看不见你们所看见的一切;他们想听却听不到你们所听到的一切。

解释种子的寓言

18 “所以, 听着,这是农夫播种的故事的含义。 19 当一个人听到了天国的福音却不能理解它的时候,魔鬼就来把播在他心中的福音夺走了,这就是落在路边上的种子的含义。 20 落在石头地上的种子,指的是这种人, 他听到福音便立刻欣然接受, 21 但是福音没有在他心中扎根,只不过是暂时的。一旦福音给他招来麻烦或迫害,他立刻就放弃了。 22 落在荆棘丛中的种子是指这种人, 他虽然听到了福音,但是却让尘世的烦恼和金钱的诱惑窒息了福音,结不出果实。 23 落在肥沃土壤里的种子指的是这种人,他听到了福音,心领神会,并且结出硕果 [a]—有时增加三十倍、或六十倍,甚至一百倍的果实。”

麦子和野草的寓言

24 耶稣又给他们讲了一个故事来教导他们∶“天国就像一个在自己的田里播下了良种的人。 25 但是,夜里,人们都在睡觉的时候,他的仇人来了,把野草的种子撒在麦地里,然后溜走了。 26 小麦生长,吐穗,野草也长出来了。 27 他的奴仆们来了,对这个人说∶‘先生,您播种的是好种子,对吧?怎么会长出野草呢?’

28 “他告诉奴仆们∶‘这是敌人干的。’

“他的奴仆们又问∶‘您要不要我们把野草除掉?’

29 “他说∶‘不用了。免得你们除草时,把麦子也一齐除掉。 30 让它们一齐长吧,等到收割的时候,我会告诉收庄稼的人说∶‘把杂草先割了,捆起来烧掉,然后把麦子收进粮仓。’”

上帝的天国像什么?

31 耶稣又给他们讲了一个故事∶“天国就像一粒芥茉籽,有人拿去把它种在地里, 32 它是所有种子里最小的一粒,可是当它长起来后,成了园子里最大的一棵植物,大的连天上的鸟儿也能在它的枝叉间筑巢。”

33 耶稣还给他们讲了另一个故事∶“天国就像一块酵母菌子,一个女人把它和在一大团面里做面包,它使整个面团发了起来。”

34 耶稣用寓言故事对众人讲述每件事情,他总是用寓言来讲道。 35 这正应验了上帝借先知之口所说的预言,上帝说:

“我(上帝)要用寓言说话,
我要讲出所有创世以来的秘密。” (B)

耶稣解释一个难懂的寓言

36 耶稣离开众人,回到家里。门徒们来到他那里,对他说∶“请您给我们解释一下田里杂草的故事。”

37 耶稣回答他们说∶“播种良种的人就是人子, 38 田地就是世界,好种子就是天国里上帝所有的孩子,野草就是属于魔鬼的人, 39 种杂草的人就是魔鬼,收获季节就是世界末日,收庄稼的人就是上帝的天使。

40 收庄稼的人把杂草捆起来烧掉,当世界末日 [b]来临时,同样的事情将会发生。 41 人子会派来他的天使,把所有做恶的和教唆人犯罪的人从他的王国里挑出来, 42 把他们扔进熊熊燃烧的熔炉里。他们会在那里切齿痛哭, 43 而好人在其父的天国里像太阳一样发出光芒。凡能听到我说话的人,听着。

宝藏和珍珠

44 “天国像埋在田地里的一座宝藏,一天,有人发现了它,又把它重新埋了起来。他高兴得把自己所有的东西都卖了,买下这块地。

45 “天国就像寻找珍珠的商人, 46 当他发现一颗价值连城的珍珠,他就卖掉自己所有的一切,把珍珠买下来。

鱼网的故事

47 “天国也像撒在湖里的一张网,捕获了各种各样的鱼。 48 等网满了,渔夫就把网拉上岸来,然后坐下来,选出好鱼,放进筐里,把坏鱼扔掉。 49 世界末日也是如此,天使会来把好人和坏人分开, 50 把坏人扔进熊熊燃烧的熔炉,让他们在烈火中切齿痛哭。”

51 耶稣接着问信徒∶“你们明白这些事情吗?”

他们回答说∶“明白。”

52 耶稣说∶“所有了解天国的律法师们,都如同一家之主,他们从自己的库房里拿出新东西,也拿出旧东西。”

耶稣返回故乡

53 耶稣讲完这些故事,就离开了那里, 54 回到自己的家乡,在会堂里教导人们。人们都很惊讶,不由自主地问道∶“他从哪里获得了如此的智慧和行奇迹的力量? 55 他不就是木匠的儿子吗?他母亲不是叫马利亚吗?他兄弟不是叫雅各、约瑟、西门和犹大吗? 56 他的姐妹们不是和我们一起住在这里吗?他怎么能够做出这些事呢?” 57 他们都难以接受他。

但是,耶稣对他们说∶“先知无论在哪里都受到尊敬,唯独在他自己的故乡或家里得不到尊敬。”

58 因为人们都不相信耶稣,他就没有在故乡显示很多奇迹。

Footnotes

  1. 馬 太 福 音 13:23 硕果: 耶稣要他的子民所行的善事。
  2. 馬 太 福 音 13:40 世界末日: 直译“这个世纪”或“这个时代”。

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

And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

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

17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter 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 unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.

54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

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