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Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed
Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake.
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He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.
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His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”
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That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
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“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:
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Parable of the Wheat and Weeds
Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.
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Parable of the Mustard Seed
Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.
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Parable of the Yeast
Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
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Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.
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This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet: “I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.”
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Parable of the Wheat and Weeds Explained
Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”
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Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
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Parable of the Fishing Net
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.
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Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”
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Parable of the Lost Sheep
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?
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Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
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Parable of the Vineyard Workers
“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
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Parable of the Two Sons
“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
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Parable of the Evil Farmers
“Now listen to another story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country.
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When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers.
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Parable of the Great Feast
Jesus also told them other parables. He said,
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Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
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Parable of the Three Servants
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.
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Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed
Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore.
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He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
