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The Parable of the Sower

13 On that day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.(A) Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, while the whole crowd stood on the shore.(B)

Then he told them many things in parables,(C) saying, “Consider the sower who went out to sow. As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it grew up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it. Still other seed fell on good ground and produced fruit: some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times what was sown.(D) Let anyone who has ears[a] listen.”(E)

Why Jesus Used Parables

10 Then the disciples(F) came up and asked him, “Why are you speaking to them in parables?” (G)

11 He answered, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know,(H) but it has not been given to them. 12 For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.(I) 13 That is why I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see,(J) and hearing they do not listen or understand.(K) 14 Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:

You will listen and listen,
but never understand;
you will look and look,
but never perceive.(L)
15 For this people’s heart has grown callous;
their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
otherwise they might see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears, and
understand with their hearts,
and turn back—
and I would heal them.[b](M)

16 “Blessed are your eyes(N) because they do see, and your ears because they do hear.(O) 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see the things you see but didn’t see them, to hear the things you hear but didn’t hear them.(P)

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “So listen to the parable of the sower: (Q) 19 When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.(R) 20 And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.(S) 21 But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress or persecution(T) comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age(U) and the deceitfulness[c] of wealth(V) choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does produce fruit and yields: some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty times what was sown.”

The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds

24 He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.(W) 25 But while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and left. 26 When the plants sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also appeared. 27 The landowner’s servants(X) came to him and said, ‘Master, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?’

28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he told them.

“‘So, do you want us to go and pull them up?’ the servants asked him.

29 “‘No,’ he said. ‘When you pull up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but collect the wheat in my barn.’”

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and of the Leaven

31 He(Y) presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven(Z) is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It’s the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it’s taller than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.”(AA)

33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven[d] that a woman took and mixed into fifty pounds[e] of flour until all of it was leavened.”(AB)

Using Parables Fulfills Prophecy

34 Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables, and he did not tell them anything without a parable,(AC) 35 so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:

I will open my mouth in parables;
I will declare things kept secret
from the foundation of the world.[f][g](AD)

Jesus Interprets the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds

36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”(AE)

37 He replied, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world; and the good seed—these are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one,(AF) 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.(AG) 40 Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.(AH) 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all who cause sin[h] and those guilty of lawlessness.[i](AI) 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace(AJ) where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(AK) 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Let anyone who has ears[j] listen.(AL)

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and of the Priceless Pearl

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.(AM)

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one priceless[k] pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.(AN)

The Parable of the Net

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea. It collected every kind of fish,(AO) 48 and when it was full, they dragged it ashore, sat down, and gathered the good fish into containers, but threw out the worthless ones. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out, separate the evil people from the righteous,(AP) 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(AQ)

The Storehouse of Truth

51 “Have you understood all these things?”[l]

They answered him, “Yes.”

52 “Therefore,” he said to them, “every teacher of the law[m] who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom treasures new and old.”(AR)

Rejection at Nazareth

53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he left there. 54 He went to his hometown(AS) and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?(AT) 55 Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?(AU) Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James,(AV) Joseph,[n] Simon, and Judas?(AW) 56 And his sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where does he get all these things?” 57 And they were offended by him.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his household.”(AX) 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

Footnotes

  1. 13:9 Other mss add to hear
  2. 13:14–15 Is 6:9–10
  3. 13:22 Or pleasure
  4. 13:33 Or yeast
  5. 13:33 Lit three sata; about forty liters
  6. 13:35 Some mss omit of the world
  7. 13:35 Ps 78:2
  8. 13:41 Or stumbling
  9. 13:41 Or those who do lawlessness
  10. 13:43 Other mss add to hear
  11. 13:46 Or very precious
  12. 13:51 Other mss add Jesus asked them
  13. 13:52 Or every scribe
  14. 13:55 Other mss read Joses; Mk 6:3

13  taua ra i haere atu a Ihu i te whare, ka noho ki te taha o te moana.

Na he rahi he hui i huihui ki a ia, a ka eke ia ki te kaipuke noho ai; i te takutai ano te hui katoa e tu ana.

A he maha ana korero ki a ratou, he mea whakarite; i mea ia, Na i haere te kairui ki te rui;

A, i a ia e rui ana, ka ngahoro etahi o nga purapura ki te taha o te ara, a, ko te rerenga mai o nga manu, kainga ake:

Ko etahi i ngahoro ki nga wahi kamaka, ki nga wahi kihai i nui te oneone: na pihi tonu ake, kahore hoki i hohonu te oneone:

A, no te whitinga o te ra, ngaua iho; a, no te mea kahore he putake, memenge noa iho:

Ko etahi i ngahoro ki roto ki nga tataramoa; a, no te tupunga ake o nga tataramoa, kowaowaotia ana nga purapura:

Ko etahi i ngahoro ki te oneone pai, a ka hua, no etahi kotahi rau, no etahi e ono tekau, no etahi e toru tekau.

Ki te whai taringa tetahi hei whakarongo, kia rongo ia.

10 A ka haere nga akonga, ka mea ki a ia, He aha koe i korero whakarite tonu ai ki a ratou?

11 Na, ka whakahoki ia ki a ratou, ka mea, No te mea kua hoatu ki a koutou te matauranga ki nga mea ngaro o te rangatiratanga o te rangi, ki a ratou ia kahore i hoatu.

12 Ki te whai mea hoki tetahi, ka hoatu ano ki a ia, a ka maha atu ana: ki te kahore ia he mea a tetahi, ka tangohia i a ia ana ake.

13 Na reira enei kupu whakarite aku ki a ratou; no te mea kite rawa ratou, a kahore e kite; rongo rawa, kahore hoki e matau.

14 A ka rite i a ratou te poropititanga a Ihaia, e mea nei, Rongo noa koutou, kahore e matau; titiro noa koutou, kahore e kite:

15 Kua matotoru hoki te ngakau o tenei iwi, kua puhoi nga taringa ki te whakarongo, ko nga kanohi kua oti te whakamoe e ratou; kei kite o ratou kanohi, kei rongo nga taringa, a ka matau te ngakau, na ka tahuri ratou a ka whakaorangia e ahau.

16 Ka koa ia o koutou kanohi, no te mea ka kite: o koutou taringa hoki, no te mea ka rongo.

17 He pono hoki taku e mea nei ki a koutou, He tokomaha nga poropiti me nga tangata tika i hiahia kia kite i nga mea e kite nei koutou, a kahore i kite; kia rongo hoki i nga mea e rongo nei koutou, a kahore i rongo.

18 Na whakarongo ki te kupu i whakaritea ki te kairui.

19 Ki te rongo tetahi ki te kupu o te rangatiratanga, a e kore e matau, na ka haere mai te wairua kino, ka kapo i te mea ka oti na te rui ki tona ngakau. Ko te tangata tenei i nga purapura i te taha o te ara.

20 Ko te tangata ia i nga purapura i nga wahi kohatu, ko te tangata i rongo ki te kupu, a hohoro tonu te tango, hari tonu;

21 Otiia kahore ona pakiaka i roto i a ia, e mau noa ana mo te wa poto: a, no te panga o te whakapawera, o te whakatoi ranei, mo te kupu, na he tonu iho.

22 Ko te tangata i nga purapura i waenga tataramoa, ko te tangata tena i rongo ki te kupu; a, ko te whakaaronga ki tenei ao, me te hangaru o nga taonga, hei whakakowaowao i te kupu, a kore ake he hua.

23 Ko te tangata ia i nga purapura i te oneone pai, ko te tangata e rongo ana ki te kupu, a e matau ana; a ka whai hua, ea ake, no tetahi kotahi rau, no tetahi e ono tekau, no tetahi e toru tekau.

24 Tenei ake ano tetahi kupu whakarite i maka e ia ki a ratou, i mea ia, Ka rite te rangatiratanga o te rangi ki tetahi tangata i rui i te purapura pai ki tana mara:

25 A, i nga tangata e moe ana, ka haere mai tona hoariri, ruia iho he taru kino ki waenga witi, a haere ana.

26 A, no ka pihi ake te rau, ka hua, katahi ka kitea hoki nga taru.

27 Na ka haere mai nga pononga a taua rangatira, ka mea ki a ia, E mara, kihai ianei koe i rui i te purapura pai ki tau mara? No hea ra ona taru?

28 Na ka ki atu ia ki a ratou, Na te hoariri tenei i mea. Katahi ka mea nga pononga ki a ia, E pai ranei koe kia haere matou ki te whakawhaiti i aua taru?

29 A ka mea ia, Kahore; kei hutia ngatahitia te witi ina whakawhaititia nga taru.

30 Tukua kia tupu tahi, a taea noatia te kotinga; a i te wa o te kotinga ka mea ahau ki nga kaikokoti, Matua whakawhaiti i nga taru, ka paihere ai hei paihere kia tahuna; ko te witi ia me kohi ki toku whare witi.

31 Tenei ake ano tetahi kupu whakarite i maka e ia ki a ratou, i mea ia, He rite te rangatiratanga o te rangi ki te pua nani, i kawea e te tangata, i ruia ki tana mara:

32 He iti rawa ia i nga purapura katoa: a ka tupu, ko ia te nui rawa o nga otaota, a whakarakau ana, no ka rere mai nga manu o te rangi, ka noho ki ona manga.

33 Tenei ake ano tetahi kupu whakarite i korerotia e ia ki a ratou, He rite te rangatiratanga o te rangi ki te rewena i tangohia e tetahi wahine, a whaongia ana ki roto ki nga mehua paraoa e toru, no ka rewenatia katoatia.

34 Ko enei mea katoa i korerotia e Ihu ki te mano, he mea whakarite; a heoi ano ana kupu ki a ratou he kupu whakarite anake:

35 I rite ai ta te poropiti i korero ai, i mea ai, E puaki i toku mangai nga kupu whakarite; ka korerotia e ahau nga mea i ngaro no te timatanga ra ano o te ao.

36 Katahi ka mahue i a Ihu te mano, ka tomo ia ki te whare: na ka haere mai ana akonga ki a ia, ka mea, Whakaaturia mai ki a matou te kupu i whakaritea ki nga taru i te mara.

37 Na ka whakahoki ia, ka mea ki a ratou, Ko te kairui o te purapura pai ko te Tama a te tangata;

38 Ko te mara ko te ao; ko te purapura pai ko nga tamariki o te rangatiratanga; nga taru ko nga tamariki a te kino;

39 Ko te hoariri i ruia ai ko te rewera; te kotinga ko te mutunga o te ao; nga kaikokoti ko nga anahera.

40 Na e huihuia ana nga taru, e tahuna ana ki te ahi; ka pera ano i te mutunga o tenei ao.

41 Ka tono te Tama a te tangata i ana anahera ki te huihui i roto i tona rangatiratanga i nga mea katoa e tutuki ai te waewae, i nga kaimahi ano i te kino;

42 A ka maka e ratou ki roto ki te oumu ahi; ko te wahi tera o te tangi me te tetea o nga niho.

43 Ko reira te hunga tika whiti ai me te ra i te rangatiratanga o to ratou Matua. Ki te whai taringa tetahi hei whakarongo, kia rongo ia.

44 He rite ano te rangatiratanga o te rangi ki te taonga i huna ki te mara; no te kitenga a tetahi tangata, na ka huna e ia, a haere ana, he koa hoki nona, na hokona ana ana mea katoa, a hokona ana mai taua mara mana.

45 He rite ano te rangatiratanga o te rangi ki te kaihokohoko, e rapu ana i nga peara papai:

46 A, no tona kitenga i tetahi peara utu nui, haere ana, hokona ana ana mea katoa, a hokona ana mai taua peara mana.

47 He rite ano te rangatiratanga o te rangi ki te kupenga i tukua ki te moana, a haoa ana he ika o ia ahua, o ia ahua:

48 A, ka ki, ka kumea ki uta, a noho ana, kohikohia ana nga ika papai ki nga kete, ko nga mea kikino ia i akiritia ki waho.

49 Ka pera ano a te mutunga o te ao: ka haere nga anahera, ka wehewehe i te hunga kino i roto i te hunga tika,

50 A ka maka i a ratou ki roto ki te oumu ahi: ko te wahi tera o te tangi, o te tetea o nga niho.

51 Ka mea a Ihu ki a ratou, Kua matau ranei koutou ki enei mea katoa? Ka mea ratou ki a ia, Ae, e te Ariki.

52 Na ka mea ia ki a ratou, Koia te karaipi, i akona ki te rangatiratanga o te rangi, i rite ai ki tetahi rangatira whare e whakaputa mai ana i nga mea hou, i nga mea tawhito, i roto i tana toa.

53 A, ka mutu enei kupu whakarite a Ihu, ka haere atu ia i reira.

54 A, ka tae ki tona kainga tupu, ka ako i a ratou i roto i to ratou whare karakia, a miharo noa ratou, ka mea, No hea enei whakaaro nui me nga merekara a tenei tangata?

55 Ehara ianei tenei i te tama a te kamura? He teka ianei ko Meri te ingoa o tona whaea? Ko Hemi hoki ratou ko Hohepa, ko Haimona, ko Hura, ona teina?

56 Me ona tuahine, kahore ianei ratou katoa i a tatou nei? No hea ra enei mea katoa a tenei tangata?

57 Heoi ka he ratou ki a ia. Otira ka mea a Ihu ki a ratou, Kei tona kainga, kei tona whare anake te poropiti hapa ai i te honore.

58 A kihai i maha nga merekara i meatia e ia ki reira, i to ratou whakaponokore hoki.

Parábola del sembrador(A)(B)(C)

13 Ese mismo día salió Jesús de la casa y se sentó a la orilla del lago. La multitud que se reunió para verlo era tan grande que él tuvo que subir a una barca donde se sentó mientras toda la gente estaba de pie en la orilla. Y dijo en parábolas muchas cosas como estas: «Un sembrador salió a sembrar. Mientras iba esparciendo las semillas, una parte cayó junto al camino, llegaron los pájaros y se las comieron. Otra parte cayó en terreno pedregoso, sin mucha tierra. Esas semillas brotaron pronto porque la tierra no era profunda; pero cuando salió el sol, las plantas se marchitaron y por no tener raíz se secaron. Otra parte de las semillas cayó entre espinos que, al crecer, ahogaron las plantas. Pero las otras semillas cayeron en buen terreno, en el que se dio una cosecha que rindió hasta cien, sesenta y treinta veces más de lo que se había sembrado. El que tenga oídos, que oiga».

10 Los discípulos se acercaron y le preguntaron:

—¿Por qué hablas a la gente en parábolas?

11 Él respondió:

—A ustedes se les ha concedido conocer los misterios del reino de los cielos; pero a ellos no. 12 Al que tiene se le dará más y tendrá en abundancia. Al que no tiene hasta lo que tiene se le quitará. 13 Por eso les hablo a ellos en parábolas:

»Aunque miren, no vean;
    aunque oigan, no escuchen ni entiendan.

14 En ellos se cumple la profecía de Isaías:

“Por mucho que oigan, no entenderán;
    por mucho que vean, no comprenderán.
15 Porque el corazón de este pueblo se ha vuelto insensible;
    se les han tapado los oídos
    y se les han cerrado los ojos.
De lo contrario, verían con los ojos,
    oirían con los oídos,
    entenderían con el corazón,
se arrepentirían y yo los sanaría”.[a]

16 Pero dichosos los ojos de ustedes porque ven y sus oídos porque oyen. 17 Les aseguro que muchos profetas y otros justos anhelaron ver lo que ustedes ven, pero no lo vieron; quisieron oír lo que ustedes oyen, pero no lo oyeron.

Jesús explica la parábola del sembrador

18 »Escuchen ahora lo que significa la parábola del sembrador: 19 Cuando alguien oye la palabra acerca del reino y no la entiende, viene el maligno y arrebata lo que se sembró en su corazón. Esta es la semilla sembrada junto al camino. 20 El que recibió la semilla que cayó en el suelo lleno de piedras es el que oye la palabra y de inmediato la recibe con alegría. 21 Pero como no tiene raíz, dura poco tiempo. Cuando surgen problemas o persecución a causa de la palabra, enseguida se aparta de ella. 22 El que recibió la semilla que cayó entre espinos es el que oye la palabra, pero las preocupaciones de esta vida y el engaño de las riquezas la ahogan. Por eso, la semilla no llega a dar fruto. 23 Pero el que recibió la semilla que cayó en buen terreno es el que oye la palabra y la entiende. Este sí produce una cosecha hasta cien, sesenta y treinta veces más».

Parábola de la mala hierba

24 Jesús contó otra parábola: «El reino de los cielos es como un hombre que sembró buena semilla en su campo. 25 Pero mientras todos dormían, llegó su enemigo y sembró mala hierba entre el trigo y se fue. 26 Cuando brotó el trigo y se formó la espiga, apareció también la mala hierba. 27 Los siervos fueron al dueño y le dijeron: “Señor, ¿no sembró usted semilla buena en su campo? Entonces, ¿de dónde salió la mala hierba?”. 28 “Esto es obra de un enemigo”, respondió. Le preguntaron los siervos: “¿Quiere usted que vayamos a arrancarla?”. 29 “¡No! —contestó—, no sea que, al arrancar la mala hierba, arranquen con ella el trigo. 30 Dejen que crezcan juntos hasta la cosecha. Entonces diré a los segadores: Recojan primero la mala hierba y átenla en manojos para quemarla; después recojan el trigo y guárdenlo en mi granero”».

Parábolas de la semilla de mostaza y de la levadura

31 Les contó otra parábola: «El reino de los cielos es como una semilla de mostaza que un hombre sembró en su campo. 32 Aunque es la más pequeña de todas las semillas, cuando crece es la más grande de las plantas del huerto. Se convierte en árbol, de modo que vienen las aves y anidan en sus ramas».

33 Les contó otra parábola más: «El reino de los cielos es como la levadura que una mujer tomó y mezcló en tres medidas[b] de harina, hasta que hizo crecer toda la masa».

34 Jesús dijo a la multitud todas estas cosas en parábolas. No decía nada sin emplear parábolas. 35 Así se cumplió lo dicho por el profeta:

«Hablaré por medio de parábolas;
    revelaré cosas que han estado ocultas desde la creación del mundo».[c]

Jesús explica la parábola de la mala hierba

36 Una vez que se despidió de la multitud, entró en la casa. Se acercaron sus discípulos y le pidieron:

—Explícanos la parábola de la mala hierba del campo.

37 —El que sembró la buena semilla es el Hijo del hombre —respondió Jesús—. 38 El campo es el mundo y la buena semilla representa a los hijos del reino. La mala hierba son los hijos del maligno, 39 y el enemigo que la siembra es el diablo. La cosecha es el fin del mundo,[d] y los segadores son los ángeles.

40 »Así como se recoge la mala hierba y se quema en el fuego, ocurrirá también al fin del mundo. 41 El Hijo del hombre enviará a sus ángeles y arrancarán de su reino a todos los que pecan y hacen pecar. 42 Los arrojarán al horno encendido, donde habrá llanto y crujir de dientes. 43 Entonces los justos brillarán en el reino de su Padre como el sol. El que tenga oídos, que oiga.

Parábolas del tesoro escondido y de la perla

44 »El reino de los cielos es como un tesoro escondido en un campo. Cuando un hombre lo descubrió, lo volvió a esconder, y lleno de alegría fue y vendió todo lo que tenía y compró ese campo.

45 »También se parece el reino de los cielos a un comerciante que andaba buscando perlas finas. 46 Cuando encontró una de gran valor, fue y vendió todo lo que tenía y la compró.

Parábola de la red

47 »También se parece el reino de los cielos a una red echada al lago, que atrapa peces de toda clase. 48 Cuando se llena, los pescadores la sacan a la orilla, se sientan y recogen en canastas los peces buenos y desechan los malos. 49 Así será al fin del mundo. Vendrán los ángeles y apartarán de los justos a los malvados. 50 Luego los arrojarán al horno encendido, donde habrá llanto y crujir de dientes».

51 —¿Han entendido todo esto? —preguntó Jesús.

—Sí —respondieron ellos.

52 Entonces concluyó Jesús:

—Todo maestro de la Ley que ha sido instruido acerca del reino de los cielos es como el dueño de una casa que, de lo que tiene guardado, saca tesoros nuevos y viejos.

Jesús es rechazado en su tierra

53 Cuando Jesús terminó de contar estas parábolas, se fue de allí. 54 Al llegar a su pueblo, comenzó a enseñar a la gente en la sinagoga.

—¿De dónde sacó este tal sabiduría y tales poderes milagrosos? —decían maravillados—. 55 ¿No es acaso el hijo del carpintero? ¿No se llama su madre María y no son sus hermanos Santiago, José, Simón y Judas? 56 ¿No están con nosotros todas sus hermanas? Así que, ¿de dónde sacó todas estas cosas?

57 Y se escandalizaban a causa de él. Pero Jesús les dijo:

—En todas partes se honra a un profeta, menos en su tierra y en su propia casa.

58 Y por la falta de fe de ellos, no hizo allí muchos milagros.

Footnotes

  1. 13:14,15 Is 6:9,10.
  2. 13:33 tres medidas. Es decir, aprox. 27 kg. Lit. tres satas.
  3. 13:35 Sal 78:2.
  4. 13:39 el fin del mundo. Lit. la consumación del siglo.

The Parable of the Sower(A)(B)(C)

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house(D) and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat(E) and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,(F) sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”(G)

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven(H) has been given to you,(I) but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.(J) 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.(K)

14 In them is fulfilled(L) the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a](M)

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.(N) 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see(O) but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom(P) and does not understand it, the evil one(Q) comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.(R) 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth(S) choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”(T)

The Parable of the Weeds

24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(U) a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”(V)

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast(W)(X)

31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(Y) a mustard seed,(Z) which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”(AA)

33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(AB) yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[b] of flour(AC) until it worked all through the dough.”(AD)

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.(AE) 35 So was fulfilled(AF) what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables,
    I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”[c](AG)

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable(AH) of the weeds in the field.”

37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.(AI) 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,(AJ) 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest(AK) is the end of the age,(AL) and the harvesters are angels.(AM)

40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man(AN) will send out his angels,(AO) and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(AP) 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun(AQ) in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.(AR)

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like(AS) treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.(AT)

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like(AU) a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like(AV) a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds(AW) of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous(AX) 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(AY)

51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

A Prophet Without Honor(AZ)

53 When Jesus had finished these parables,(BA) he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue,(BB) and they were amazed.(BC) “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?(BD) Isn’t his mother’s(BE) name Mary, and aren’t his brothers(BF) James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense(BG) at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”(BH)

58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 13:15 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
  2. Matthew 13:33 Or about 27 kilograms
  3. Matthew 13:35 Psalm 78:2

13 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.