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The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears[a] listen!’

The Purpose of the Parables

10 Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ 11 He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets[b] of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” 14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:

“You will indeed listen, but never understand,
    and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
15 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
    and their ears are hard of hearing,
        and they have shut their eyes;
        so that they might not look with their eyes,
    and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn—
    and I would heal them.”

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 ‘Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.[c] 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’

The Parable of Weeds among the Wheat

24 He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” 28 He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” 29 But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

31 He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’

The Parable of the Yeast

33 He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with[d] three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’

The Use of Parables

34 Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. 35 This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet:[e]

‘I will open my mouth to speak in parables;
    I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.’[f]

Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds

36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘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 are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears[g] listen!

Three Parables

44 ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Treasures New and Old

51 ‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ 52 And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’ 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place.

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

54 He came to his home town and began to teach the people[h] in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not 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 this?’ 57 And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour except in their own country and in their own house.’ 58 And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 13:9 Other ancient authorities add to hear
  2. Matthew 13:11 Or mysteries
  3. Matthew 13:21 Gk stumbles
  4. Matthew 13:33 Gk hid in
  5. Matthew 13:35 Other ancient authorities read the prophet Isaiah
  6. Matthew 13:35 Other ancient authorities lack of the world
  7. Matthew 13:43 Other ancient authorities add to hear
  8. Matthew 13:54 Gk them

The Parable of the Sower

13 On that day Jesus went out of (A)the house and was sitting (B)by the sea. And [a]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 spoke many things to them 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. And others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And others fell [b]among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil and were yielding [c]a crop, some a (E)hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. (F)He who has ears, [d]let him hear.”

The Purpose of the Parables

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

[f](J)You will keep on hearing, [g]but will not understand;
[h]You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
15 (K)For the heart of this people has become dull,
And with their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes,
Lest they would see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
And 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 men desired 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 (N)Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears (O)the 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 on whom seed was sown beside the road. 20 And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he [i](Q)falls away. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the worry of (R)the [j]world and the (S)deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some (T)a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

The Parable of Tares Among Wheat

24 He presented another parable to them, saying, (U)The kingdom of heaven [k]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 [l]tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the [m]wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27 The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? [n]How then does it have tares?’ 28 And he said to them, ‘An [o]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; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but (V)gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven

31 He presented another parable to them, saying, (W)The kingdom of heaven is like (X)a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is the [p]smallest of all seeds, but when it is fully grown, it is the [q]largest of the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that (Y)the birds of the [r]air come and nest in its branches.”

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

34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He was not speaking to them (AB)without a parable 35 so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying,

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

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

A 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 joy over it he goes and (AT)sells all 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 all that he had and bought it.

A Dragnet

47 “Again, (AV)the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they drew 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 [y]end of the age; the angels will come forth and [z]take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and (AX)will throw them into the fiery furnace; 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 He 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 things new and old.”

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

53 [aa](AZ)Now it happened that when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. 54 (BA)And He came to [ab]His hometown and (BB)began teaching them in their synagogue, so that (BC)they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these [ac]miraculous powers? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not (BD)His mother called Mary, and His (BE)brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And (BF)His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they were taking (BG)offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, (BH)A prophet is not without honor except in his [ad]hometown and in his own household.” 58 And He did not do many [ae]miracles there because of their unbelief.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 13:2 Lit many
  2. Matthew 13:7 Lit upon
  3. Matthew 13:8 Lit fruit
  4. Matthew 13:9 Or hear!, listen!; Gr imperative
  5. Matthew 13:11 Lit He
  6. Matthew 13:14 Lit With a hearing you will hear
  7. Matthew 13:14 Lit and
  8. Matthew 13:14 Lit Seeing you will see
  9. Matthew 13:21 Lit is caused to stumble
  10. Matthew 13:22 Or age
  11. Matthew 13:24 Lit was compared to
  12. Matthew 13:25 Or darnel, a weed resembling wheat
  13. Matthew 13:26 Lit grass
  14. Matthew 13:27 Lit From where
  15. Matthew 13:28 Lit enemy man
  16. Matthew 13:32 Lit smaller
  17. Matthew 13:32 Lit larger
  18. Matthew 13:32 Or sky
  19. Matthew 13:33 Approx. 48 lb. or 39 l, a saton was approx. 16 lb. or 13 l
  20. Matthew 13:36 Or darnel, a weed resembling wheat
  21. Matthew 13:39 Or consummation
  22. Matthew 13:40 Or consummation
  23. Matthew 13:41 Or everything that is offensive
  24. Matthew 13:43 Or hear!, listen!; Gr imperative
  25. Matthew 13:49 Or consummation
  26. Matthew 13:49 Or separate
  27. Matthew 13:53 Lit And
  28. Matthew 13:54 Or His own part of the country
  29. Matthew 13:54 Or miracles
  30. Matthew 13:57 Or own part of the country
  31. Matthew 13:58 Or works of power

13 Ora, in quello stesso giorno Gesú, uscito di casa, si pose a sedere presso il mare.

E grandi folle si radunarono intorno a lui, cosí che egli, salito su una barca, si pose a sedere; e tutta la folla stava in piedi sulla riva.

Ed egli espose loro molte cose in parabole, dicendo: «Ecco, un seminatore uscí a seminare.

Mentre seminava, una parte del seme cadde lungo la strada; e gli uccelli vennero e lo mangiarono.

Un'altra cadde in luoghi rocciosi, dove non c'era molta terra, e subito germogliò perché il terreno non era profondo

ma, levatosi il sole, fu riarso e, perché non aveva radice, si seccò.

Un'altra cadde tra le spine; e le spine crebbero e la soffocarono.

E un'altra cadde in buona terra e portò frutto dando il cento, il sessanta, ed il trenta per uno.

Chi ha orecchi da udire, oda!».

10 Allora i discepoli, accostatisi, gli dissero: «Perché parli loro in parabole?».

11 Ed egli, rispondendo, disse loro: «Perché a voi è dato di conoscere i misteri del regno dei cieli, ma a loro non è dato.

12 Perché a chiunque ha sarà dato, e sarà nell'abbondanza, ma a chiunque non ha, gli sarà tolto anche quello che ha.

13 Perciò io parlo loro in parabole, perché vedendo non vedano, e udendo non odano né comprendano.

14 Cosí si adempie in loro la profezia d'Isaia, che dice: "Voi udirete ma non intenderete; guarderete ma non vedrete".

15 Perché il cuore di questo popolo è divenuto insensibile, essi sono diventati duri d'orecchi e hanno chiuso gli occhi, perché non vedano con gli occhi e non odano con gli orecchi, e non intendano col cuore e non si convertano, e io li guarisca

16 Ma, beati i vostri occhi perché vedono, e i vostri orecchi perché odono.

17 Perché in verità vi dico che molti profeti e giusti desiderarono vedere le cose che voi vedete e non le videro, e udire le cose che voi udite e non le udirono!

18 Voi dunque intendete la parabola del seminatore.

19 Quando qualcuno ode la parola del regno e non la comprende, il maligno viene e porta via ciò che era stato seminato nel suo cuore. Questi è colui che ha ricevuto il seme lungo la strada.

20 E quello che ha ricevuto il seme in luoghi rocciosi, è colui che ode la parola e subito la riceve con gioia

21 ma non ha radice in sé, ed è di corta durata; e quando sopraggiunge la tribolazione o persecuzione, a causa della parola, ne è subito scandalizzato.

22 E quello che ha ricevuto il seme fra le spine è colui che ode la parola, ma le sollecitudini di questo mondo e l'inganno delle ricchezze soffocano la parola; ed essa diviene infruttuosa.

23 Quello invece che riceve il seme nella buona terra, è colui che ode la parola, la comprende e porta frutto; e produce uno il cento, un altro il sessanta e un altro il trenta per uno».

24 Egli propose loro un'altra parabola dicendo: «Il regno dei cieli è simile a un uomo, che seminò buon seme nel suo campo.

25 Ma, mentre gli uomini dormivano, venne il suo nemico e seminò della zizzania in mezzo al grano, e se ne andò.

26 Quando poi il grano germogliò e mise frutto, apparve anche la zizzania.

27 E i servi del padrone di casa vennero a lui e gli dissero: "Signore, non hai seminato buon seme nel tuo campo? Come mai, dunque, c'è della zizzania?".

28 Ed egli disse loro: "un nemico ha fatto questo". Allora i servi gli dissero: "Vuoi dunque che andiamo e la estirpiamo?"

29 Ma egli disse: "No, per timore che estirpando la zizzania, non sradichiate insieme ad essa anche il grano.

30 Lasciate che crescano entrambi insieme fino alla mietitura; e al tempo della mietitura io dirò ai mietitori: Raccogliete prima la zizzania e legatela in fasci per bruciarla; il grano, invece, riponetelo nel mio granaio».

31 Egli propose loro un'altra parabola, dicendo: «Il regno dei cieli è simile a un granello di senape che un uomo prende e semina nel suo campo.

32 Esso è certamente il piú piccolo di tutti i semi, ma una volta cresciuto è il piú grande di tutte le erbe e diventa un albero, tanto che gli uccelli del cielo vengono a ripararsi tra i suoi rami».

33 Egli disse loro un'altra parabola: «Il regno dei cieli è simile al lievito, che una donna prende ed impasta con tre misure di farina finché tutta la pasta sia lievitata».

34 Gesú disse alle folle tutte queste cose in parabole, e parlava loro solo in parabole,

35 affinhé si adempisse ciò che fu detto dal profeta: «Io aprirò la mia bocca in parabole e rivelerò cose nascoste fin dalla fondazione del mondo».

36 Allora Gesú, licenziate le folle, se ne ritornò a casa e i suoi discepoli gli si accostarono, dicendo: «Spiegaci la parabola della zizzania a nel campo».

37 Ed egli, rispondendo disse loro: «Colui che semina il buon seme è il Figlio dell'uomo.

38 Il campo è il mondo, il buon seme sono i figli del regno, e la zizzania sono i figli del maligno,

39 e il nemico che l'ha seminata è il diavolo, mentre la mietitura è la fine del mondo, e i mietitori sono gli angeli.

40 Come dunque si raccoglie la zizzania e si brucia nel fuoco, cosí avverrà alla fine del mondo.

41 Il Figlio dell'uomo manderà i suoi angeli, ed essi raccoglieranno dal suo regno tutti gli scandali e gli operatori d'iniquità,

42 e li getteranno nella fornace del fuoco. Lì sarà pianto e stridor di denti.

43 Allora i giusti risplenderanno come Il sole nel regno del Padre loro. Chi ha orecchi da udire, oda!».

44 «Di nuovo, il regno dei cieli è simile ad un tesoro nascosto in un campo, che un uomo, avendolo trovato. nasconde; e, per la gioia che ne ha, va, vende tutto ciò che ha e compera quel campo.

45 Ancora, il regno dei cieli è simile ad un mercante che va in cerca di belle perle.

46 E, trovata una perla di grande valore, va, vende tutto ciò che ha, e la compera.

47 Il regno dei cieli è pure simile ad una rete gettata in mare, che raccoglie ogni sorta di cose.

48 Quando è piena, i pescatori la tirano a riva e, postisi a sedere, raccolgono ciò che è buono nelle ceste, mentre gettano via quello non buono.

49 Cosí avverrà alla fine del mondo, gli angeli verranno e separeranno i malvagi dai giusti

50 e li getteranno nella fornace del fuoco. Lí sarà pianto e stridor di denti.

51 Gesú disse loro: «Avete capito tutte queste cose?». Essi gli dissero: «Sì Signore».

52 Ed egli disse loro: «Perciò ogni scriba, ammaestrato per il regno dei cieli è simile a un padrone di casa che trae fuori dal suo tesoro cose nuove e vecchie».

53 Ora, quando Gesú ebbe finito queste parabole, se ne andò di là.

54 E, venuto nella sua patria, li ammaestrava nella loro sinagoga, sicché essi stupivano e dicevano: «Da dove ha ricevuto costui questa sapienza e queste potenti operazioni?

55 Non è costui il figlio del falegname? Sua madre non si chiama Maria e i suoi fratelli Giacomo, Iose, Simone e Giuda?

56 E le sue sorelle non sono tutte fra noi? Da dove ha egli dunque ricevuto queste cose?».

57 E si scandalizzavano di lui. Ma Gesú disse loro: «Nessun profeta è disprezzato, se non nella sua patria e in casa sua».

58 Ed egli non fece lí molte opere potenti a causa della loro incredulità.

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