Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Christ » Expected » Expounds the word
"The sower of the seed," he answered, "is the Son of man;
so you also, when you see these signs, know that He is near, at the very doors.
and to them it was his practice never to speak except in parables. But he used to explain everything in private to his disciples.
"This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God.
And beginning with Moses and the Prophets, he interpreted all the passages concerning himself.
Divine Teacher » Words of Christ » Enlightening » Christ expounds the scriptures
"The sower of the seed," he answered, "is the Son of man;
so you also, when you see these signs, know that He is near, at the very doors.
and to them it was his practice never to speak except in parables. But he used to explain everything in private to his disciples.
"This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God.
And beginning with Moses and the Prophets, he interpreted all the passages concerning himself.
Jesus Christ » History of » Parable of the tares and other teachings (in galilee)
He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven," he said, "is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; "but while men were asleep his enemy came and sowed tares among his wheat and went away. "And when the blade shot up and formed the wheat-kernel, then the tares also appeared. read more.
"The slaves of the owner went to him and said: "'Was it not good seed, sir, that you sowed in your field? From whence then, do you get tares?' "'It is an enemy who has done this,' he answered. "The slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and collect them?' "'No,' he answered, 'for fear lest while you are collecting the tares, you at the same time pull up the wheat. "Let both grow together until harvest, and at harvest-time I will tell the reapers to first gather the tares and tie them in bundles for burning, but to bring all the wheat into my store-house.'" He set forth to them another parable, saying. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard-seed which a man took and planted in his field. "This is indeed the smallest of seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than any herb, and becomes a tree, so that the winged things of the sky come and roost in its branches." He told them another parable. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until the whole was leavened." Jesus told all this to the crowd in parables; indeed he never spoke to them except in parables, in fulfilment of the word spoken by the prophet, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things kept secret since the foundation of the world." After he had sent the people away and gone into the house, his disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable about the weeds in the field." "The sower of the seed," he answered, "is the Son of man; "the field is the world; the good seed is the sons of the kingdom; the weeds, the sons of the Evil One. "The enemy who sows the weeds is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are the angels. "Just as the weeds are collected together and burnt with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. "The son of man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all hindrances, and whoever practices iniquity, "and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "And then shall the just shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears to hear, listen! "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in the ground, which a man finds but buries again, and then in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that land. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of beautiful pearls. "When he finds one of great price, he goes and sells everything he has and buys it. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. "When it was full they hauled it upon the beach, and sat down and sorted the good fish into baskets, but threw the worthless fish away. "So will it be at the end of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous, and fling them into the furnace of fire. "There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "Have you understood all this?" he asked. "We have," they answered him. "Then," said he, "every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his storehouse new things and old." After Jesus had finished these parables, he withdrew from that place,
"The slaves of the owner went to him and said: "'Was it not good seed, sir, that you sowed in your field? From whence then, do you get tares?' "'It is an enemy who has done this,' he answered. "The slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and collect them?' "'No,' he answered, 'for fear lest while you are collecting the tares, you at the same time pull up the wheat. "Let both grow together until harvest, and at harvest-time I will tell the reapers to first gather the tares and tie them in bundles for burning, but to bring all the wheat into my store-house.'" He set forth to them another parable, saying. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard-seed which a man took and planted in his field. "This is indeed the smallest of seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than any herb, and becomes a tree, so that the winged things of the sky come and roost in its branches." He told them another parable. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until the whole was leavened." Jesus told all this to the crowd in parables; indeed he never spoke to them except in parables, in fulfilment of the word spoken by the prophet, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things kept secret since the foundation of the world." After he had sent the people away and gone into the house, his disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable about the weeds in the field." "The sower of the seed," he answered, "is the Son of man; "the field is the world; the good seed is the sons of the kingdom; the weeds, the sons of the Evil One. "The enemy who sows the weeds is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are the angels. "Just as the weeds are collected together and burnt with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. "The son of man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all hindrances, and whoever practices iniquity, "and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "And then shall the just shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears to hear, listen! "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in the ground, which a man finds but buries again, and then in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that land. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of beautiful pearls. "When he finds one of great price, he goes and sells everything he has and buys it. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. "When it was full they hauled it upon the beach, and sat down and sorted the good fish into baskets, but threw the worthless fish away. "So will it be at the end of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous, and fling them into the furnace of fire. "There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "Have you understood all this?" he asked. "We have," they answered him. "Then," said he, "every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his storehouse new things and old." After Jesus had finished these parables, he withdrew from that place,
"It is with the kingdom of God," he continued, "as if a man should have sown seed in the earth; night and day he sleeps and wakes while the seed is sprouting and growing tall, he knows not how. Of its own accord the earth bears its crops; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. read more.
Then as soon as the crop is ready the man has the sickle put in at once, because harvest-time is come. "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God?" he said again. "in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a mustard-seed, which, when sown in the soil, is the smallest seed in the world; yet when sown shoots up and becomes larger than any plant, sending out such branches that the wild birds build their nests under its shadow." With many such illustrations Jesus used to tell his message to people as far as they were able to receive it; and to them it was his practice never to speak except in parables. But he used to explain everything in private to his disciples.
Then as soon as the crop is ready the man has the sickle put in at once, because harvest-time is come. "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God?" he said again. "in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a mustard-seed, which, when sown in the soil, is the smallest seed in the world; yet when sown shoots up and becomes larger than any plant, sending out such branches that the wild birds build their nests under its shadow." With many such illustrations Jesus used to tell his message to people as far as they were able to receive it; and to them it was his practice never to speak except in parables. But he used to explain everything in private to his disciples.
Kingdom of God » What the kingdom of God is likened to
As they were listening to his words he added this parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God was immediately to appear. So he said: "A certain nobleman went abroad to receive for himself royal power and to return. "And he summoned ten slaves of his, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, "'Trade with these until I come.' read more.
"But this fellow citizens hated him, and sent a deputation after him to say, 'We do not wish this man to become our king.' "And upon his return after he had secured the royal power, he ordered the slaves to whom he had given the money to be called in, so that he might know what they had gained by trading. "And the first came before him, saying, 'Master, your pound has made ten pounds.' "And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave! Because you have been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.' "And the second came and said, 'Master, your pound has made five pounds.' "Then he said to him also, 'You shall be over five cities.' "And the next came to him and said, 'Here master is your pound which I was keeping safe in a napkin. "'For I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take what you did not sow.' "He said to him, "'By your own words I will Judge you, you wicked slave. You knew, did you, that I was a hard man taking up what I did not lay down, reaping what I did not sow. "'Then why did you not put my money into the bank, so that at my coming I might I might have gotten it back with interest?' "Then to those who stood by, he said, 'Take the pounds from him and give it to him who has ten pounds.' "'Master,' they said to him, 'he already has ten pounds.' "'I tell you that to every one who has it shall be given; and from him who has not shall be taken away even what he has. "'Howbeit these enemies of mine who were not willing for me to become their King, bring them here, and slay them in my presence.'"
"But this fellow citizens hated him, and sent a deputation after him to say, 'We do not wish this man to become our king.' "And upon his return after he had secured the royal power, he ordered the slaves to whom he had given the money to be called in, so that he might know what they had gained by trading. "And the first came before him, saying, 'Master, your pound has made ten pounds.' "And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave! Because you have been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.' "And the second came and said, 'Master, your pound has made five pounds.' "Then he said to him also, 'You shall be over five cities.' "And the next came to him and said, 'Here master is your pound which I was keeping safe in a napkin. "'For I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take what you did not sow.' "He said to him, "'By your own words I will Judge you, you wicked slave. You knew, did you, that I was a hard man taking up what I did not lay down, reaping what I did not sow. "'Then why did you not put my money into the bank, so that at my coming I might I might have gotten it back with interest?' "Then to those who stood by, he said, 'Take the pounds from him and give it to him who has ten pounds.' "'Master,' they said to him, 'he already has ten pounds.' "'I tell you that to every one who has it shall be given; and from him who has not shall be taken away even what he has. "'Howbeit these enemies of mine who were not willing for me to become their King, bring them here, and slay them in my presence.'"
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard. "And when he had agreed with the workmen for two shillings a day, he sent them into his vineyard. "About nine o'clock he went out and noticed some other workmen standing idle in the market-place; read more.
"and he said to them, "'Do you also go into the vineyard, and whatever is just I will pay you.' "So they went. Again at noon, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same thing. "When he went out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, "'Why have you been standing here idle, all the day long?' "'Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "He said to them, 'Do you also go into the vineyard.' "And when evening came, the Lord of the vineyard said to his steward, "'Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning with the last hired and ending with the first.' "When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received two shillings apiece; "and when the first came they supposed that they would get more, but they also received each two shillings. "And as they took it they began to grumble against the master of the house. "'Those last men,' they said, 'have toiled only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the burning heat of the day.' "In reply he said to one of them. 'My friend, I am doing no wrong. Did you not agree with me for two shillings? "Take your wage and begone! I chose to give to this last man the same as to you. "Have I not the right to do what I choose with my own property? Or is your eye evil because I am generous?' "So the last shall be first, and the first, last."
"and he said to them, "'Do you also go into the vineyard, and whatever is just I will pay you.' "So they went. Again at noon, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same thing. "When he went out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, "'Why have you been standing here idle, all the day long?' "'Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "He said to them, 'Do you also go into the vineyard.' "And when evening came, the Lord of the vineyard said to his steward, "'Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning with the last hired and ending with the first.' "When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received two shillings apiece; "and when the first came they supposed that they would get more, but they also received each two shillings. "And as they took it they began to grumble against the master of the house. "'Those last men,' they said, 'have toiled only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the burning heat of the day.' "In reply he said to one of them. 'My friend, I am doing no wrong. Did you not agree with me for two shillings? "Take your wage and begone! I chose to give to this last man the same as to you. "Have I not the right to do what I choose with my own property? Or is your eye evil because I am generous?' "So the last shall be first, and the first, last."
He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven," he said, "is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; "but while men were asleep his enemy came and sowed tares among his wheat and went away. "And when the blade shot up and formed the wheat-kernel, then the tares also appeared. read more.
"The slaves of the owner went to him and said: "'Was it not good seed, sir, that you sowed in your field? From whence then, do you get tares?' "'It is an enemy who has done this,' he answered. "The slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and collect them?' "'No,' he answered, 'for fear lest while you are collecting the tares, you at the same time pull up the wheat. "Let both grow together until harvest, and at harvest-time I will tell the reapers to first gather the tares and tie them in bundles for burning, but to bring all the wheat into my store-house.'" He set forth to them another parable, saying. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard-seed which a man took and planted in his field. "This is indeed the smallest of seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than any herb, and becomes a tree, so that the winged things of the sky come and roost in its branches." He told them another parable. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until the whole was leavened." Jesus told all this to the crowd in parables; indeed he never spoke to them except in parables, in fulfilment of the word spoken by the prophet, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things kept secret since the foundation of the world." After he had sent the people away and gone into the house, his disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable about the weeds in the field." "The sower of the seed," he answered, "is the Son of man; "the field is the world; the good seed is the sons of the kingdom; the weeds, the sons of the Evil One. "The enemy who sows the weeds is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are the angels. "Just as the weeds are collected together and burnt with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. "The son of man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all hindrances, and whoever practices iniquity, "and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "And then shall the just shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears to hear, listen! "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in the ground, which a man finds but buries again, and then in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that land. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of beautiful pearls. "When he finds one of great price, he goes and sells everything he has and buys it. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. "When it was full they hauled it upon the beach, and sat down and sorted the good fish into baskets, but threw the worthless fish away. "So will it be at the end of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous, and fling them into the furnace of fire. "There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "Have you understood all this?" he asked. "We have," they answered him. "Then," said he, "every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his storehouse new things and old."
"The slaves of the owner went to him and said: "'Was it not good seed, sir, that you sowed in your field? From whence then, do you get tares?' "'It is an enemy who has done this,' he answered. "The slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and collect them?' "'No,' he answered, 'for fear lest while you are collecting the tares, you at the same time pull up the wheat. "Let both grow together until harvest, and at harvest-time I will tell the reapers to first gather the tares and tie them in bundles for burning, but to bring all the wheat into my store-house.'" He set forth to them another parable, saying. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard-seed which a man took and planted in his field. "This is indeed the smallest of seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than any herb, and becomes a tree, so that the winged things of the sky come and roost in its branches." He told them another parable. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until the whole was leavened." Jesus told all this to the crowd in parables; indeed he never spoke to them except in parables, in fulfilment of the word spoken by the prophet, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things kept secret since the foundation of the world." After he had sent the people away and gone into the house, his disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable about the weeds in the field." "The sower of the seed," he answered, "is the Son of man; "the field is the world; the good seed is the sons of the kingdom; the weeds, the sons of the Evil One. "The enemy who sows the weeds is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are the angels. "Just as the weeds are collected together and burnt with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. "The son of man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all hindrances, and whoever practices iniquity, "and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "And then shall the just shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears to hear, listen! "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in the ground, which a man finds but buries again, and then in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that land. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of beautiful pearls. "When he finds one of great price, he goes and sells everything he has and buys it. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. "When it was full they hauled it upon the beach, and sat down and sorted the good fish into baskets, but threw the worthless fish away. "So will it be at the end of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous, and fling them into the furnace of fire. "There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "Have you understood all this?" he asked. "We have," they answered him. "Then," said he, "every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his storehouse new things and old."
"Thus the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. "But when he began to settle, one of them was brought before him who owed him fifteen million dollars. "And since he was unable to pay, his master ordered him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, toward the payment of the debt. read more.
"Thereupon his slave threw himself on his knees before him, crying, "'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all!' "So then the master pitied his slave, and let him go, and forgave him his debt. "But on his way out, that slave met a fellow slave who owed him fifty dollars. Seizing him by the throat, and nearly choking him, he exclaimed, "'Pay me what you owe me!' "Then his fellow slave fell at his feet, and besought him, saying, "'Be patient with me, and I will pay you.' "But he would not; on the contrary he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. "When therefore his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were very angry; and they went and explained to their master all that had happened. "Immediately his master summoned him and said: "'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you implored me. "'Ought not you also to have had pity on your fellow slave, just as I had pity on you?' "Then in hot anger his master handed him over to the torturers, until he should pay him all his debt. "So will my heavenly Father do to you also, unless from your heart each one of you forgive his brother."
"Thereupon his slave threw himself on his knees before him, crying, "'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all!' "So then the master pitied his slave, and let him go, and forgave him his debt. "But on his way out, that slave met a fellow slave who owed him fifty dollars. Seizing him by the throat, and nearly choking him, he exclaimed, "'Pay me what you owe me!' "Then his fellow slave fell at his feet, and besought him, saying, "'Be patient with me, and I will pay you.' "But he would not; on the contrary he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. "When therefore his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were very angry; and they went and explained to their master all that had happened. "Immediately his master summoned him and said: "'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you implored me. "'Ought not you also to have had pity on your fellow slave, just as I had pity on you?' "Then in hot anger his master handed him over to the torturers, until he should pay him all his debt. "So will my heavenly Father do to you also, unless from your heart each one of you forgive his brother."
One of his fellow guest who was listening to him, said to him, "Blessed are those who eat bread in the kingdom of God." Jesus answered. "A certain man was making a great feast to which he invited many guests. "At dinnertime he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for all things are now ready.' read more.
"And they all, without exception, proceeded to excuse themselves. The first told him. 'I have bought a field, and must needs go and see it. Pray have me excused.' "The second said: 'I have bought five yolk of oxen and am on my way to try them. I pray that you will have me excused.' "'I have taken a wife,' said the another, 'and for that reason I am unable to come.' "So the slave came and presented all these answers to his master. Then the master of the house was indignant, and said to his slave. 'Go out, quickly, into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in hither the poor, the maimed, the blind, the lame.' "And the slave said, 'My master, your orders have been carried out, but yet there is room.' "Said the master to his slave. 'Go out into the roads and the hedges, and make them come in, so that my house may be filled. "'For I tell you that not one of those invited guests shall taste my supper.'"
"And they all, without exception, proceeded to excuse themselves. The first told him. 'I have bought a field, and must needs go and see it. Pray have me excused.' "The second said: 'I have bought five yolk of oxen and am on my way to try them. I pray that you will have me excused.' "'I have taken a wife,' said the another, 'and for that reason I am unable to come.' "So the slave came and presented all these answers to his master. Then the master of the house was indignant, and said to his slave. 'Go out, quickly, into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in hither the poor, the maimed, the blind, the lame.' "And the slave said, 'My master, your orders have been carried out, but yet there is room.' "Said the master to his slave. 'Go out into the roads and the hedges, and make them come in, so that my house may be filled. "'For I tell you that not one of those invited guests shall taste my supper.'"
"Then will the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten maidens who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them; read more.
but the wise took oil in their flasks with their lamps. Now because the bridegroom tarried, they all fell to nodding and went on sleeping. But at midnight there arose a cry, "'Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him!' "Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps; "and the foolish said to the wise, "'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' "'Not so, answered the wise, 'for there may not be enough for you and for us. Go to the shops, rather, and buy some for yourselves.' "And while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding-feast. And the door was shut. "Afterwards the other maidens came and cried, "'Lord, Lord, open unto us!' "'In solemn truth I tell you,' he replied, 'I know you not.' "Be watchful then, for you know neither the day nor the hour. "For it is like a man going into another country, who summoned his slaves, and committed his property to their care. "To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another, one??o each according to his individual ability??nd then set out on his travels. "At once the man who had received the five talents went out and traded with them, and made five talents more. "In the same way the one who got two talents made another two. "But he who had received the one talent went off, and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money. "After a long time the master of those slaves came, and demanded a reckoning with them. "The man who had received the five talents came, bringing five more, and said: "'Master, five talents you entrusted to me; see, I have gained five more.' "'Well done, good and faithful slave,' replied his master; 'You have been faithful over many things. Enter into your master's joy.' "The second, who had received the two talents, came up and said: "'Master, it was two talents that you entrusted to me; see, I have gained two more.' "'Well done, good and faithful slave,' his master replied, 'You have been faithful over many things; enter into your master's joy.' "Then the man who had received the one talent came up and said: "'Master, I knew you were a hard man, reaping where you had not sown, and gathering where you had not scattered; "so I was afraid; I went away and buried your talent in the earth. There, you have what belongs to you!' "'You wicked and lazy slave,' said his master. 'You say you knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not scattered?' Then you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my property with interest. So take away the talent from him, and give it to the man who has ten talents. (For to every one who has, it shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him who has not shall be taken away even what he has.) But cast out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.'
but the wise took oil in their flasks with their lamps. Now because the bridegroom tarried, they all fell to nodding and went on sleeping. But at midnight there arose a cry, "'Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him!' "Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps; "and the foolish said to the wise, "'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' "'Not so, answered the wise, 'for there may not be enough for you and for us. Go to the shops, rather, and buy some for yourselves.' "And while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding-feast. And the door was shut. "Afterwards the other maidens came and cried, "'Lord, Lord, open unto us!' "'In solemn truth I tell you,' he replied, 'I know you not.' "Be watchful then, for you know neither the day nor the hour. "For it is like a man going into another country, who summoned his slaves, and committed his property to their care. "To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another, one??o each according to his individual ability??nd then set out on his travels. "At once the man who had received the five talents went out and traded with them, and made five talents more. "In the same way the one who got two talents made another two. "But he who had received the one talent went off, and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money. "After a long time the master of those slaves came, and demanded a reckoning with them. "The man who had received the five talents came, bringing five more, and said: "'Master, five talents you entrusted to me; see, I have gained five more.' "'Well done, good and faithful slave,' replied his master; 'You have been faithful over many things. Enter into your master's joy.' "The second, who had received the two talents, came up and said: "'Master, it was two talents that you entrusted to me; see, I have gained two more.' "'Well done, good and faithful slave,' his master replied, 'You have been faithful over many things; enter into your master's joy.' "Then the man who had received the one talent came up and said: "'Master, I knew you were a hard man, reaping where you had not sown, and gathering where you had not scattered; "so I was afraid; I went away and buried your talent in the earth. There, you have what belongs to you!' "'You wicked and lazy slave,' said his master. 'You say you knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not scattered?' Then you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my property with interest. So take away the talent from him, and give it to the man who has ten talents. (For to every one who has, it shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him who has not shall be taken away even what he has.) But cast out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.'
"The kingdom of heaven," he said, "may be compared to a king who made a wedding-feast for his son. "He sent out his slaves to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they did not want to come. "Again he sent out other slaves. 'Tell the invited guests,' he said, 'that my luncheon is now ready; my oxen and fat cattle are killed; everything is ready; come to the wedding-feast.' read more.
"They, however, paid no attention, but went off, one to his own farm, another to his business; "while the rest seized his slaves and maltreated and murdered them. "Then the king's wrath was roused, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. "Then he said to his slaves, "'The wedding-feast indeed is ready, but the invited guests were not worthy. "'So go out into the partings of the highways, and summon everybody you find there to the wedding-feast.' "So those slaves went out into the roads, and gathered together all whom they found, good or bad, and the banquet-hall was filled with the guests. "Then the king came in to inspect his guests, and he discovered there a man who had not put on a wedding-garment. He said to him, "'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding-garment?' "The man was speechless. "'Bind him hand and foot, 'said the king to his officers, 'and cast him into the outer darkness; there will be the wailing and the gnashing of teeth.' "For there are many called, but few are chosen."
"They, however, paid no attention, but went off, one to his own farm, another to his business; "while the rest seized his slaves and maltreated and murdered them. "Then the king's wrath was roused, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. "Then he said to his slaves, "'The wedding-feast indeed is ready, but the invited guests were not worthy. "'So go out into the partings of the highways, and summon everybody you find there to the wedding-feast.' "So those slaves went out into the roads, and gathered together all whom they found, good or bad, and the banquet-hall was filled with the guests. "Then the king came in to inspect his guests, and he discovered there a man who had not put on a wedding-garment. He said to him, "'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding-garment?' "The man was speechless. "'Bind him hand and foot, 'said the king to his officers, 'and cast him into the outer darkness; there will be the wailing and the gnashing of teeth.' "For there are many called, but few are chosen."
He went on to say. "Is the lamp brought in to be put under the bushel or the bed? Is it not rather to be put on the lamp-stand? There is nothing hidden except what is to be disclosed, and nothing concealed except what is to be revealed. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear." read more.
And he said to them. "Take heed what you hear. With what measure you measure it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you. For he who holds, to him will more be given, and he who holds not, from him will be taken even what he holds." "It is with the kingdom of God," he continued, "as if a man should have sown seed in the earth; night and day he sleeps and wakes while the seed is sprouting and growing tall, he knows not how. Of its own accord the earth bears its crops; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. Then as soon as the crop is ready the man has the sickle put in at once, because harvest-time is come. "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God?" he said again. "in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a mustard-seed, which, when sown in the soil, is the smallest seed in the world; yet when sown shoots up and becomes larger than any plant, sending out such branches that the wild birds build their nests under its shadow." With many such illustrations Jesus used to tell his message to people as far as they were able to receive it; and to them it was his practice never to speak except in parables. But he used to explain everything in private to his disciples.
And he said to them. "Take heed what you hear. With what measure you measure it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you. For he who holds, to him will more be given, and he who holds not, from him will be taken even what he holds." "It is with the kingdom of God," he continued, "as if a man should have sown seed in the earth; night and day he sleeps and wakes while the seed is sprouting and growing tall, he knows not how. Of its own accord the earth bears its crops; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. Then as soon as the crop is ready the man has the sickle put in at once, because harvest-time is come. "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God?" he said again. "in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a mustard-seed, which, when sown in the soil, is the smallest seed in the world; yet when sown shoots up and becomes larger than any plant, sending out such branches that the wild birds build their nests under its shadow." With many such illustrations Jesus used to tell his message to people as far as they were able to receive it; and to them it was his practice never to speak except in parables. But he used to explain everything in private to his disciples.
This led him to say. "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and cast into his own garden. It grew and became a tree, and the wild birds nested in its branches." And again he said: "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? read more.
"It is like leaven which a took and hid in three measures of flour until the whole was leavened."
"It is like leaven which a took and hid in three measures of flour until the whole was leavened."
Parables » Jesus Christ speaking in parables
Jesus told all this to the crowd in parables; indeed he never spoke to them except in parables, in fulfilment of the word spoken by the prophet, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things kept secret since the foundation of the world."
With many such illustrations Jesus used to tell his message to people as far as they were able to receive it; and to them it was his practice never to speak except in parables. But he used to explain everything in private to his disciples.