1Senare samma dag gick Jesus hemifrån och satte sig nere vid sjön för att undervisa.2-3Och snart hade det samlats så mycket folk omkring honom, att han var tvungen att stiga i en båt och sitta i den och tala, medan folket stod på stranden. Han undervisade dem genom att berätta många bilder, som till exempel denna:”En lantbrukare gick ut på sin åker för att så.4När han sådde föll en del av sädeskornen på stigen bredvid, och fåglarna kom och åt upp dem.5En del korn föll där marken var stenig och jordlagret tunt. De plantorna växte snabbt upp,6men i den heta solen vissnade de bort och dog, eftersom rötterna var ytliga.7Andra korn föll bland tistlarna, och när tistlarna växte upp kvävde de plantorna.8Men en del korn föll i bördig jord och gav 30, 60 och till och med 100 gånger så mycket säd som hade såtts.9Lyssna noga och försök att förstå!”
Jesus förklarar bilden om sådden
10Jesus efterföljare kom senare fram till honom och frågade: ”Varför berättar du sådana här bilder för folket?”11Då förklarade han för sina efterföljare: ”Ni har fått gåvan att förstå min undervisning om hur Gud vill rädda människor och göra dem till sitt eget folk,[1] men andra har inte fått den gåvan.12Den som förstår vad jag säger ska med tiden förstå alltmer. Men den som inget förstår ska till slut bli av med även den lilla insikt han hade.13Det är därför jag berättar de här bilderna, så att människor ska höra och se, men ändå inte förstå.14Genom detta blir det verklighet som Gud har förutsagt om dem genom profeten Jesaja: ’Ni ska höra vad jag säger men ändå inte förstå. Ni ska se vad jag gör men ändå inte fatta!15Ja, det här folkets hjärta är så hårt och likgiltigt att de inte kan förstå. Deras hörsel är avtrubbad så att de inte kan höra, och de har slutit sina ögon så att de inte kan se. Därför kan de inte vända om till mig och bli botade!’[2]16Men ni kan vara lyckliga, för era ögon kan se och era öron kan höra.17Och jag försäkrar er, att många profeter, och andra som följde Guds vilja, längtade efter att få se och höra det som ni nu får vara med om, men de fick aldrig göra det.18Här är förklaringen till berättelsen om lantbrukaren som sådde säd:19Den hårda stigen, där en del av säden föll, liknar den människas hjärta som hör budskapet om att Gud vill rädda människor och göra dem till sitt eget folk[3], men inte tar det på allvar. Genast är den Onde där och plockar bort säden ur hjärtat.20Den steniga marken är lik den människas hjärta som hör budskapet och tar emot det med äkta glädje,21men som inte har så mycket djup i sig att rötterna kan utvecklas. Efter en tid, då svårigheter eller förföljelser kommer på grund av hennes tro på budskapet, avtar entusiasmen och hon överger sin tro.22Marken som var täckt av tistlar kan jämföras med den människa som hör budskapet men låter vardagens bekymmer och längtan efter att tjäna mycket pengar få kväva det hon hört, så att budskapet till slut inte påverkar hennes liv alls.23Men den bördiga jorden liknar den människas hjärta som lyssnar till budskapet och förstår det och låter det påverka hela livet. Hon ger en skörd som är 30, 60 eller till och med 100 gånger så stor som den sådd som föll i hennes hjärta.”
Bilden om ogräset och vetet
24Detta är en annan bild som Jesus berättade för folket:”Där Gud regerar blir det som när[4] en man sådde god säd i en åker.25En natt då alla låg och sov kom hans fiende och sådde ogräs bland vetet och smög bort därifrån.26När säden sedan började växa och gå i ax, växte också ogräset upp.27Då gick tjänarna och berättade för mannen: ’Herre, åkern där du sådde den goda säden är full av ogräs! Var kom det ifrån?’28’Det måste vara en fiende som har varit där’, svarade deras herre. Männen frågade då: ’Ska vi rycka upp ogräset?’29’Nej’, sa han, ’då kommer ni att skada vetet samtidigt.30Låt båda växa tillsammans tills det blir dags att skörda. Och när skördetiden kommer ska jag säga till skördemännen: Sortera först bort ogräset och bunta ihop det så att det kan brännas upp. Samla sedan in vetet i min lada.’ ”
Bilden om senapsfröet
31Jesus berättade också den här bilden för dem:”Där Gud regerar blir det som när en man sår ett senapsfrö i en åker. Det är det minsta[5] av alla frön,32men när det har växt upp är det störst bland kryddväxterna och blir till ett träd, därfåglarna kan komma och bygga bo bland grenarna.”
Bilden om jästen
33Han berättade också en annan bild:”Där Gud regerar blir det som när en kvinna blandar jäst i degen då hon bakar. Hon tar lite jäst och blandar in den i en stor mängd mjöl och arbetar ihop alltsammans. Sedan påverkar jästen hela degen.”34Allt detta berättade Jesus för folket genom att använda bilder. Ja, han talade till dem bara genom bilder.35Och genom detta blev det verklighet som Gud förutsagt genom en profet: ”Jag ska tala i bilder, jag ska berätta hemligheter gömda sedan världens skapelse.”[6]
Jesus förklarar bilden om ogräset och vetet
36Sedan lämnade Jesus folket och gick till det hus där han bodde , och där bad hans efterföljare honom förklara bilden om ogräset och vetet.37”Det ska jag göra”, sa han. ”Jag, Människosonen[7], är den som sår den goda säden.38Åkern är världen, och säden representerar de människor som tillhör Gud och är hans eget folk.[8] Ogräset är de människor som tillhör den Onde.39Fienden, som sådde ogräset bland vetet, är djävulen. Skördetiden är världens slut, och skördemännen är änglar.40Som när ogräset skiljs från vetet och bränns upp, så ska det vara vid tidens slut.41Jag, Människosonen, ska sända ut mina änglar, och de ska rensa Guds värld.[9] De ska ta bort alla dem som förleder människorna till synd och gör det som är ont,42och de ska kasta dem i den brinnande ugnen. Där ska man gråta av ångest och förtvivlan.43Men de som följer Faderns vilja ska lysa som solen i den nya värld där deras Far regerar.[10] Lyssna noga och försök att förstå!”
Bilderna om skatten i åkern, den värdefulla pärlan och fisknätet
44Jesus berättade också fler bilder. Han sa:”Där Gud regerar blir det som när en man upptäcker en skatt i en åker. I sin iver gräver han ner skatten igen och går och säljer allt han äger för att kunna köpa åkern, så att skatten kan bli hans.45Där Gud regerar blir det också som när en köpman är på jakt efter dyrbara pärlor.46Då han upptäcker en mycket värdefull pärla, går han iväg och säljer allt han äger för att kunna köpa den.47Där Gud regerar blir det också som när man kastar ut ett nät i sjön för att fånga fiskar av olika slag, både bra och dåliga.48När nätet är fullt drar man upp det på stranden och sätter sig ner och sorterar fisken. De ätbara fiskarna lägger man i en korg, men de andra slänger man bort.49Så ska det vara vid tidens slut. Änglarna ska komma och skilja de onda människorna från dem som följer Guds vilja,50och sedan kasta de onda i den brinnande ugnen. Där ska man gråta av ångest och förtvivlan.51Har ni nu förstått alla dessa bilder?””Ja”, sa de, ”det har vi.”52Då sa han: ”Det betyder att varje person som känner till Skriften[11], och nu hör till det folk som Gud regerar över, i fortsättningen kan berätta om både det nya och det gamla sättet att tjäna Gud.”
Människorna i Nasaret vägrar att tro
53När Jesus hade berättat alla dessa bilder, lämnade han platsen.54Han kom sedan till sin hemstad Nasaret. Där undervisade han i synagogan[12], och han förvånade alla med sin vishet och sina under.55”Hur är detta möjligt?” undrade folket. ”Det är ju bara snickarens son. Vi känner hans mamma, Maria, och hans bröder Jakob, Josef, Simon och Judas,56och alla hans systrar bor här. Var har han fått allt detta ifrån?”57Och de retade sig på honom. Då sa Jesus till dem: ”En profet som framför Guds budskap blir erkänd överallt utom i sin egen hemstad och i sin egen familj.”58Och eftersom de inte trodde på honom gjorde han bara några få under där.
1Senare samma dag gick Jesus hemifrån och satte sig nere vid sjön.2Och snart hade det samlats så mycket folk omkring honom att han var tvungen att stiga i en båt och sitta i den och tala, medan folket stod på stranden.3Han berättade för dem många liknelser: ”En lantbrukare gick ut på sin åker för att så.4När han sådde föll en del av sädeskornen på vägen bredvid, och fåglarna kom och åt upp dem.5En del korn föll där marken var stenig och jordlagret tunt. De växte snabbt upp i den tunna myllan,6men när solen steg vissnade de bort, eftersom de saknade rot.7Andra föll bland tistlarna, och när tistlarna växte upp kvävde de plantorna.8Men en del korn föll i bördig jord och gav skörd, hundra, sextio och trettio gånger så mycket säd som hade såtts.9Lyssna, hör, den som har öron!”
Jesus förklarar liknelsen om sådden
10Jesus lärjungar kom senare fram till honom och frågade: ”Varför berättar du liknelser för folket?”11Då svarade han: ”Ni har fått gåvan att förstå himmelrikets hemligheter, men andra har inte fått den gåvan.12Den som har ska få ännu mer. Men den som inget har ska bli av med även det han har.13Det är därför jag berättar de här liknelserna, ’så att de ska se och höra, men ändå inte se, höra och förstå.’14Så går det i uppfyllelse som förutsagts om dem genom profeten Jesaja: ’Ni lyssnar och lyssnar men fattar inget. Ni tittar och tittar men ser inget.15Det här folkets hjärta är hårt. Deras hörsel är avtrubbad, så att de inte kan höra, och de har slutit sina ögon, så att de inte kan se med sina ögon eller höra med sina öron. Därför kan de inte förstå i sitt hjärta och inte vända om och bli botade av mig.’[1]16Men era ögon är lyckliga som kan se och era öron som kan höra.17För sannerligen säger jag er, att många profeter och rättfärdiga längtade efter att få se och höra det som ni nu får se och höra, men de fick aldrig göra det.18Hör nu vad som menas med liknelsen om lantbrukaren som sådde säd:19När någon hör ordet om riket men inte förstår, kommer den Onde och rycker bort sådden ur hans hjärta. Det är sådden längs stigen.20Den steniga markens sådd är den som hör ordet och tar emot det med glädje,21men som saknar rot inom sig och bara består en kort tid. När sedan lidanden eller förföljelser kommer på grund av ordet, faller han genast bort.22Sådden bland tistlar är den som hör ordet men låter världsliga bekymmer och rikedomens lockelser kväva det, så att det blir fruktlöst.23Men den bördiga jorden är den som lyssnar till ordet och förstår det och bär frukt, en skörd som är hundra, sextio eller trettio gånger så mycket som den sådd som såddes.”
Liknelsen om ogräset och vetet
24Jesus berättade en annan liknelse för folket: ”Himmelriket är likt en man som sådde god säd i en åker.25En natt då alla låg och sov kom hans fiende och sådde ogräs bland vetet och smög bort därifrån.26När säden sedan började växa och gå i ax, växte också ogräset upp.27Då gick tjänarna och berättade för mannen: ’Herre, det är ogräs på åkern där du ju sådde den goda säden! Var kom det ifrån?’28’Det måste vara en fiende som har varit där’, svarade han. Männen frågade då: ’Ska vi rycka upp ogräset?’29’Nej’, sa han, ’då kommer ni att skada vetet samtidigt.30Låt båda växa tillsammans tills det blir dags att skörda. Och när skördetiden kommer ska jag säga till skördemännen: Sortera först bort ogräset och bunta ihop det så att det kan brännas upp. Samla sedan in vetet i min lada.’ ”
Liknelsen om senapsfröet
31Han berättade en annan liknelse för dem: ”Himmelriket är som när en man sår ett senapsfrö i en åker.32Det är det minsta[2] av alla frön, men när det har växt upp är det störst bland kryddväxterna och blir till ett träd, där fåglarna kan komma och bygga bo bland grenarna.”
Liknelsen om surdegen
33Han berättade också en annan liknelse: ”Himmelriket är som när en kvinna blandar in surdeg i tre mått mjöl, så att hela degen blir syrad.”34Allt detta berättade Jesus för folket genom att använda liknelser. Han talade aldrig till dem utan en liknelse,35för att det skulle uppfyllas som förutsagts genom en profet: ”Jag vill öppna min mun för liknelser, jag ska yttra hemligheter gömda sedan världens skapelse.”[3]
Jesus förklarar liknelsen om ogräset och vetet
36Sedan lämnade Jesus folket och gick hem, och hans lärjungar kom och bad honom förklara liknelsen om ogräset och vetet.37Han svarade: ”Människosonen är den som sår den goda säden.38Åkern är världen, säden är rikets barn, och ogräset den Ondes.39Fienden, som sådde det, är djävulen. Skördetiden är tidsålderns slut, och skördemännen är änglar.40Som när ogräset skiljs från vetet och bränns upp, så ska det vara vid tidsålderns slut.41Människosonen ska sända ut sina änglar, och de ska rensa hans rike från alla dem som förleder andra och gör det som är mot lagen,42och de ska kasta dem i den brinnande ugnen. Där ska man gråta och skära tänder.43Men de rättfärdiga ska lysa som solen i sin Faders rike. Lyssna, den som har öron!
Liknelserna om skatten i åkern, den värdefulla pärlan och fisknätet
44Himmelriket är som när en man upptäcker en skatt i en åker. I sin iver gräver han ner skatten igen och går och säljer allt han äger för att kunna köpa åkern.45Himmelriket är också som när en köpman är på jakt efter dyrbara pärlor.46Då han upptäcker en värdefull pärla, går han iväg och säljer allt han äger för att kunna köpa den.47Himmelriket är också som när man kastar ut ett nät i sjön för att fånga fiskar av olika slag.48När nätet är fullt drar man upp det på stranden och sätter sig ner och sorterar fisken. De ätbara fiskarna lägger man i en korg, men de andra slänger man bort.49Så ska det vara vid tidsålderns slut. Änglarna ska komma och skilja de onda människorna från de rättfärdiga,50och sedan kasta de onda i den brinnande ugnen. Där ska man gråta och skära tänder.51Har ni nu förstått alla dessa liknelser?” ”Ja”, sa de, ”det har vi.”52Då sa han: ”Det betyder att varje skriftlärd som blivit himmelrikets lärjunge är som en husbonde som ur sitt förråd kan ta fram både av det nya och det gamla.”
Människorna i Nasaret vägrar att tro
53När Jesus hade berättat alla dessa liknelser, lämnade han platsen.54Han kom sedan till sin hemstad. Där undervisade han i synagogan, och han förvånade alla med sin vishet och sina under. De sa:55”Det är ju bara snickarens son. Är inte hans mor Maria, och hans bröder Jakob, Josef, Simon och Judas,56och alla hans systrar bor väl här? Var har han fått allt detta ifrån?”57Och de retade sig på honom. Då sa Jesus till dem: ”En profet blir föraktad bara i sin egen hemstad och i sin egen familj.”58Och på grund av deras otro gjorde han bara några få under där.
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.2Such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed.4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.9Whoever has ears, let them hear.’10The disciples came to him and asked, ‘Why do you speak to the people in parables?’11He replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.12Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.13This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘ “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.15For 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.”[1] (Jes 6:9; Jes 6:10)16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.17For 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.18‘Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:19when anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.20The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.21But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.22The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.23But 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.’
The parable of the weeds
24Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.26When the wheat sprouted and formed ears, 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 up the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.30Let 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.” ’
The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast
31He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.32Though 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.’33He told them still another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about thirty kilograms of flour until it worked all through the dough.’34Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.35So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.’ (Ps 78:2)
The parable of the weeds explained
36Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.’37He answered, ‘The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.38The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,39and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.40‘As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.42They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl
44‘The kingdom of heaven is like 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.45‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.46When 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 a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.48When 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.49This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous50and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.51‘Have you understood all these things?’ Jesus asked. ‘Yes,’ they replied.52He 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 honour
53When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.54Coming to his home town, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?’ they asked.55‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?56Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?’57And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honour except in his own town and in his own home.’58And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
1That same day Jesus left the house and sat by the Sea of Galilee.2Large crowds gathered around him. So he got into a boat and sat down. All the people stood on the shore.3Then he told them many things using stories. He said, ‘A farmer went out to plant his seed.4He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path. Birds came and ate it up.5Some seed fell on rocky places, where there wasn’t much soil. The plants came up quickly, because the soil wasn’t deep.6When the sun came up, it burned the plants. They dried up because they had no roots.7Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and crowded out the plants.8Still other seed fell on good soil. It produced a crop 100, 60 or 30 times more than what was planted.9Whoever has ears should listen.’10The disciples came to him. They asked, ‘Why do you use stories when you speak to the people?’11He replied, ‘Because you have been given the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. It has not been given to outsiders.12Everyone who has this kind of knowledge will be given more knowledge. In fact, they will have very much. If anyone doesn’t have this kind of knowledge, even what little they have will be taken away from them.13Here is why I use stories when I speak to the people. I say, ‘They look, but they don’t really see. They listen, but they don’t really hear or understand.14In them the words of the prophet Isaiah come true. He said, ‘ “You will hear but never understand. You will see but never know what you are seeing.15The hearts of these people have become stubborn. They can barely hear with their ears. They have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes. They might hear with their ears. They might understand with their hearts. They might turn to the Lord, and then he would heal them.” (Jes 6:9; Jes 6:10)16But blessed are your eyes because they see. And blessed are your ears because they hear.17What I’m about to tell you is true. Many prophets and godly people wanted to see what you see. But they didn’t see it. They wanted to hear what you hear. But they didn’t hear it.18‘Listen! Here is the meaning of the story of the farmer.19People hear the message about the kingdom but do not understand it. Then the evil one comes. He steals what was planted in their hearts. Those people are like the seed planted on a path.20The seed that fell on rocky places is like other people. They hear the message and at once receive it with joy.21But they have no roots. So they last only a short time. They quickly fall away from the faith when trouble or suffering comes because of the message.22The seed that fell among the thorns is like others who hear the message. But then the worries of this life and the false promises of wealth crowd it out. They keep the message from producing fruit.23But the seed that fell on good soil is like those who hear the message and understand it. They produce a crop 100, 60 or 30 times more than the farmer planted.’
The story of the weeds
24Jesus told the crowd another story. ‘Here is what the kingdom of heaven is like,’ he said. ‘A man planted good seed in his field.25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came. The enemy planted weeds among the wheat and then went away.26The wheat began to grow and form corn. At the same time, weeds appeared.27‘The owner’s slaves came to him. They said, “Sir, didn’t you plant good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?”28‘ “An enemy did this,” he replied. ‘The slaves asked him, “Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?”29‘ “No”, the owner answered. “While you are pulling up the weeds, you might pull up the wheat with them.30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the workers what to do. Here is what I will say to them. First collect the weeds. Tie them in bundles to be burned. Then gather the wheat. Bring it into my storeroom.” ’
The stories of the mustard seed and the yeast
31Jesus told the crowd another story. He said, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Someone took the seed and planted it in a field.32It is the smallest of all seeds. But when it grows, it is the largest of all garden plants. It becomes a tree. Birds come and rest in its branches.’33Jesus told them still another story. ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast,’ he said. ‘A woman mixed it into 30 kilograms of flour. The yeast worked its way all through the dough.’34Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd using stories. He did not say anything to them without telling a story.35So the words spoken by the prophet came true. He had said, ‘I will open my mouth and tell stories. I will speak about things that were hidden since the world was made.’ (Ps 78:2)
Jesus explains the story of the weeds
36Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him. They said, ‘Explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.’37He answered, ‘The one who planted the good seed is the Son of Man.38The field is the world. The good seed stands for the people who belong to the kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.39The enemy who plants them is the devil. The harvest is judgment day. And the workers are angels.40‘The weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire. That is how it will be on judgment day.41The Son of Man will send out his angels. They will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin. They will also get rid of all who do evil.42They will throw them into the blazing furnace. There people will weep and grind their teeth.43Then God’s people will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Whoever has ears should listen.
The stories of the hidden treasure and the pearl
44‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure that was hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again. He was very happy. So he went and sold everything he had. And he bought that field.45‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader who was looking for fine pearls.46He found one that was very valuable. So he went away and sold everything he had. And he bought that pearl.
The story of the net
47‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net. It was let down into the lake. It caught all kinds of fish.48When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and gathered the good fish into baskets. But they threw the bad fish away.49This is how it will be on judgment day. The angels will come. They will separate the people who did what is wrong from those who did what is right.50They will throw the evil people into the blazing furnace. There the evil ones will weep and grind their teeth.51‘Do you understand all these things?’ Jesus asked. ‘Yes’, they replied.52He said to them, ‘Every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house. He brings new treasures out of his storeroom as well as old ones.’
A prophet without honour
53Jesus finished telling these stories. Then he moved on from there.54He came to his home town of Nazareth. There he began teaching the people in their synagogue. They were amazed. ‘Where did this man get this wisdom? Where did he get this power to do miracles?’ they asked.55‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary? Aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?56Aren’t all his sisters with us? Then where did this man get all these things?’57They were not pleased with him at all. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own town and in his own home.’58He did only a few miracles in Nazareth because the people there had no faith.
Matteus 13
King James Version
1The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.3And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?11He 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.12For 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.13Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.14And 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:15For 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.16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.17For 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.18Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.19When 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.20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;21Yet 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.22He 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.23But 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.24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.27So 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?28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.30Let 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.31Another 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:32Which 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.33Another 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.34All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:35That 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.36Then 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.37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.41The 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;42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.44Again, 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.45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.51Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.52Then 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.53And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.54And 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?55Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?56And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?57And 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.58And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. (Mark 4:1; Luk 8:4)2And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. (Mark 3:9; Luk 5:1)3And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. (Jes 55:10; Am 9:13; Matt 13:34)4And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.5Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,6but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. (Joh 15:6; Jak 1:11)7Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. (Jer 4:3)8Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (1 Mos 26:12; Matt 13:23)9He who has ears,[1] let him hear.” (Matt 11:15)
The Purpose of the Parables
10Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”11And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. (Matt 11:25; Matt 19:11; Rom 16:25; 1 Kor 2:6; Kol 1:27; 1 Joh 2:20; 1 Joh 2:27)12For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (Matt 25:29; Mark 4:25; Luk 8:18; Luk 19:26; Joh 15:2; Jak 4:6; Upp 2:5)13This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (5 Mos 29:4; Jes 42:19; Jer 5:21; Hes 12:2; Matt 13:19; Matt 13:51; Matt 15:10; Matt 16:12; Mark 8:21; Rom 11:8; 2 Kor 3:14; 2 Kor 4:4)14Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” (Jes 6:9; Joh 12:40; Apg 28:26)15For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Luk 22:32; Joh 9:39; Joh 9:41; Rom 10:10; Heb 5:11)16But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. (Matt 16:17; Luk 10:23)17For truly, I say to you, 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. (Matt 13:16; Joh 8:56; Heb 11:13; 1 Pet 1:10)
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18“Hear then the parable of the sower: (Mark 4:13; Luk 8:11)19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. (Matt 4:23; Matt 8:12; Matt 13:13; Matt 13:38; Joh 17:15; Ef 6:16; 2 Thess 3:3; 1 Joh 2:13; 1 Joh 3:12; 1 Joh 5:18)20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, (Jes 58:2; Hes 33:31; Mark 6:20; Joh 5:35)21yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.[2] (Hos 6:4; Matt 11:6; Gal 1:6; Gal 5:7)22As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. (Matt 6:25; Matt 19:23; Mark 10:23; Apg 5:1; 1 Tim 6:9; 1 Tim 6:17; 2 Tim 4:10; Heb 3:13)23As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Hos 14:8; Matt 13:8; Matt 13:19; Joh 15:5; Joh 15:16; Fil 1:11; Kol 1:6)
The Parable of the Weeds
24He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, (Matt 13:37; Mark 4:26)25but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds[3] among the wheat and went away.26So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.27And the servants[4] of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’28He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’29But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. (1 Kor 4:5)30Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” (Matt 3:12)
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
31He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. (Matt 17:20; Mark 4:30; Luk 13:18; Luk 17:6)32It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”33He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” (1 Mos 18:6; Luk 13:20; 1 Kor 5:6; Gal 5:9)
44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Ords 2:4; Ords 23:23; Jes 55:1; Matt 25:9; Fil 3:7; Upp 3:18)
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value
45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,46who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matt 7:6; Matt 13:44)
The Parable of the Net
47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. (Matt 4:19; Matt 13:38; Matt 22:10; Matt 25:2)48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. (Joh 21:11)49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous (Matt 13:39; Matt 13:41; Matt 25:32)50and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matt 13:42)
New and Old Treasures
51“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” (Matt 13:10; Joh 10:6; Joh 16:29)52And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (Matt 12:35; Matt 23:34; Matt 28:19)
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
53And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there,54and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? (Matt 2:23; Matt 4:23; Matt 7:28; Mark 6:1; Luk 4:16; Luk 4:23)55Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? (Matt 12:46; Mark 6:3; Luk 4:22; Joh 6:42)56And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” (Jer 11:21; Jer 12:6; Matt 11:6; Luk 4:24; Joh 4:44; Joh 7:5)58And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. (Matt 17:20)