Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs. Under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth and all great nations lived under its shade.

Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.


The leaves were beautiful and the fruit abundant. In it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shadow under it. The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches. All flesh was fed by it.

Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.



Where the birds build their nests, the stork, whose home is the fir tree.

Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.


He told another illustration, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man that sowed good seed in his field. While he slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds with the wheat, and went away. When the blade sprouted and brought forth fruit, it looked like wheat. read more.
The servants of the householder said to him: 'Sir, did you sow good seed in your field? Why does it have weeds mixed in with the good wheat?' He replied: 'An enemy did this.' The servants offered to remove the weeds. He said: 'No, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. In the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather weeds first, and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then gather the wheat into my barn.' In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches. He offered another illustration: The kingdom of heaven is similar to leaven. A woman hid leaven in three measures of meal until it was all leavened. Jesus spoke with illustrations to the crowds. He did not speak anything without using illustrations. That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples gathered near him. They said: Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field. Jesus said: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world (the society of mankind). The good seed are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one. The enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels. The weeds are gathered up and burned (destroyed) with fire. It will be this way at the end of the age. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who stumble others and commit lawlessness. The angels will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The righteous will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears let him hear. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found the treasure and hid it again in the field. He is so filled with joy he sells everything he owns and buys the field. The kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant seeking valuable pearls. When he found one pearl of great value, he sold all that he had, and bought it. The kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea. It gathered fish of every kind. They drew it up on the beach when it was full. They gathered the good into containers and threw away the bad. It will be that way at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous. The wicked will be cast into the furnace of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They said to him: Yes. And he said to them: Every scribe (journalist) (writer) who has been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like a man that is a householder, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.


In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.

He said: What illustration should we use to picture the kingdom of God? What story will make it clear? It is like a grain of mustard seed. When it is planted in the earth it is smaller than all the seeds on the earth. But when it is planted it grows and becomes taller than all the plants. It grows out great branches so that the birds of heaven are able to take rest in its shade. read more.
He spoke the word to them with many illustrations as long as they were able to listen.

Jesus continued: To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? What is it like? It is like this. A man plants a mustard seed in his field. The plant grows and becomes a tree. The birds make their nests in its branches.


Proclaim this among the nations! Prepare for war! Stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears! Let the weak say, I am strong. Hurry and come all you nations round about. Gather yourselves there and cause your mighty ones to come down, O Jehovah. read more.
Let the nations be aroused and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat (Jehovah's Judgment)! I will sit there to judge all the nations round about. Thrust in the sickle for the harvest is ripe! Come and tread for the winepress is full and the vats overflow. Their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! The day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars diminish their shining. Jehovah will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem. The heavens and the earth will shake: but Jehovah will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel.

The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water because of your repentance. He that comes after me is mightier than I. He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire. I am not even good enough to carry his sandals. His winnowing shovel is in his hand. He will clean his threshing floor and gather his wheat into a barn. He will then burn the husks in a fire that cannot be put out.

He told another illustration, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man that sowed good seed in his field. While he slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds with the wheat, and went away. When the blade sprouted and brought forth fruit, it looked like wheat. read more.
The servants of the householder said to him: 'Sir, did you sow good seed in your field? Why does it have weeds mixed in with the good wheat?' He replied: 'An enemy did this.' The servants offered to remove the weeds. He said: 'No, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. In the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather weeds first, and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then gather the wheat into my barn.' In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches. He offered another illustration: The kingdom of heaven is similar to leaven. A woman hid leaven in three measures of meal until it was all leavened. Jesus spoke with illustrations to the crowds. He did not speak anything without using illustrations. That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples gathered near him. They said: Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field. Jesus said: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world (the society of mankind). The good seed are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one. The enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels. The weeds are gathered up and burned (destroyed) with fire. It will be this way at the end of the age. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who stumble others and commit lawlessness. The angels will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The righteous will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears let him hear.

Many people were expecting the Messiah. They reasoned in their hearts concerning John: Perhaps he was the Messiah. John answered, saying to them: I baptize you with water. He is coming who is mightier than I. I am not worthy to untie his shoelaces. He will baptize you in Holy Spirit and in fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand ready to thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor. He will gather the wheat into his barn. He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud: Thrust in your sickle, and reap! The time has come for you to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. He who sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. read more.
And yet another angel came out from the altar. He had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle. He said: Thrust in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. The angel thrust his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the anger of God. The winepress was trampled outside the city. Blood came out of the winepress as high up as the horse bridles for a distance of one hundred and eighty miles.


He said: Truly I tell you, if you do not have a change of heart and become like little children, you will not go into the kingdom of heaven. He who humbles himself to become like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

He responded to them: You are from below. I am from above. You are from this world. I am not from this world.

He told another illustration, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man that sowed good seed in his field. While he slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds with the wheat, and went away. When the blade sprouted and brought forth fruit, it looked like wheat. read more.
The servants of the householder said to him: 'Sir, did you sow good seed in your field? Why does it have weeds mixed in with the good wheat?' He replied: 'An enemy did this.' The servants offered to remove the weeds. He said: 'No, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. In the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather weeds first, and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then gather the wheat into my barn.' In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches. He offered another illustration: The kingdom of heaven is similar to leaven. A woman hid leaven in three measures of meal until it was all leavened. Jesus spoke with illustrations to the crowds. He did not speak anything without using illustrations. That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples gathered near him. They said: Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field. Jesus said: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world (the society of mankind). The good seed are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one. The enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels. The weeds are gathered up and burned (destroyed) with fire. It will be this way at the end of the age. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who stumble others and commit lawlessness. The angels will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The righteous will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears let him hear. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found the treasure and hid it again in the field. He is so filled with joy he sells everything he owns and buys the field. The kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant seeking valuable pearls. When he found one pearl of great value, he sold all that he had, and bought it. The kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea. It gathered fish of every kind. They drew it up on the beach when it was full. They gathered the good into containers and threw away the bad. It will be that way at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous. The wicked will be cast into the furnace of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They said to him: Yes.

Neither shall they say it is here or over there! The kingdom of God is here with you (in your midst) (among you).

Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world! If my kingdom were of this world my servants would fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews. My kingdom is not from this domain. Pilate said: Are you a king then? Jesus answered: As you say I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this purpose, that I should bear witness to the truth! Every one who is of the truth hears my voice.

From now on we know no man according to the flesh: even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer. If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things have passed away. Behold, they have become new.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. The weapons we use in our fight are not of the flesh but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments. We cast down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God. We bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.


In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.

Jesus continued: To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? What is it like? It is like this. A man plants a mustard seed in his field. The plant grows and becomes a tree. The birds make their nests in its branches.

He said: What illustration should we use to picture the kingdom of God? What story will make it clear? It is like a grain of mustard seed. When it is planted in the earth it is smaller than all the seeds on the earth. But when it is planted it grows and becomes taller than all the plants. It grows out great branches so that the birds of heaven are able to take rest in its shade.


He told another illustration, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man that sowed good seed in his field. While he slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds with the wheat, and went away. When the blade sprouted and brought forth fruit, it looked like wheat. read more.
The servants of the householder said to him: 'Sir, did you sow good seed in your field? Why does it have weeds mixed in with the good wheat?' He replied: 'An enemy did this.' The servants offered to remove the weeds. He said: 'No, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. In the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather weeds first, and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then gather the wheat into my barn.' In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches. He offered another illustration: The kingdom of heaven is similar to leaven. A woman hid leaven in three measures of meal until it was all leavened. Jesus spoke with illustrations to the crowds. He did not speak anything without using illustrations. That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples gathered near him. They said: Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field. Jesus said: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world (the society of mankind). The good seed are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one. The enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels. The weeds are gathered up and burned (destroyed) with fire. It will be this way at the end of the age. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who stumble others and commit lawlessness. The angels will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The righteous will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears let him hear. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found the treasure and hid it again in the field. He is so filled with joy he sells everything he owns and buys the field. The kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant seeking valuable pearls. When he found one pearl of great value, he sold all that he had, and bought it. The kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea. It gathered fish of every kind. They drew it up on the beach when it was full. They gathered the good into containers and threw away the bad. It will be that way at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous. The wicked will be cast into the furnace of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They said to him: Yes. And he said to them: Every scribe (journalist) (writer) who has been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like a man that is a householder, who brings out of his treasure things new and old. After Jesus finished telling these illustrations, he left.

He added: The kingdom of God is like this. A man plants seed in the earth. He sleeps and gets up night and day until the plants grow though he has no idea how. The earth gives fruit by itself. First comes the leaf, then the head, then full grain. read more.
When the grain is ready he immediately sends men to cut it, because the time for cutting has come. He said: What illustration should we use to picture the kingdom of God? What story will make it clear? It is like a grain of mustard seed. When it is planted in the earth it is smaller than all the seeds on the earth. But when it is planted it grows and becomes taller than all the plants. It grows out great branches so that the birds of heaven are able to take rest in its shade. He spoke the word to them with many illustrations as long as they were able to listen. He spoke only with illustrations. However he made all things clear to his disciples in private.


They were close to Jerusalem. They assumed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. Jesus responded to their assumption with an illustration. He said: A nobleman traveled to a country far away to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds, and said do business with this until I return. read more.
His citizens hated him. They sent a spokesman to him saying we do not want this man to rule us. He received the kingdom and went back to check on his servants. He wanted to know what they had gained by trading with the money he gave them. The first reported: Your pound has made ten pounds more. He said: Well done, you good servant. You were faithful in very little. Now you shall have authority over ten cities. The second said: Your pound, Lord, has made five pounds. He replied: You should be over five cities. Another reported: Lord, here is your pound. I kept it stored in a napkin. I feared you because you are an austere man. You take up what you do not lay down and you reap that which you did not sow. He said to him: Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I am an austere man, taking up that which I did not lay down, and reaping that which I did not sow. Why did you not put my money in the bank? That way I could collect interest when I returned. The nobleman said: Take away the pound he was given and give it to him that has the ten pounds. They said: Lord he has ten pounds! I say to you, that every one who has more shall be given. The man who does not have what little he has shall be taken away from him. Bring my enemies that do not want me to rule over them and kill them in front of me.

The kingdom of heaven is like the master of a house, who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He made an agreement with the workmen for a penny a day. Then he sent them into his vineyard. He went out the third hour and saw others in the marketplace doing nothing. read more.
He said to them: 'Go to the vineyard with the others. I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went to work. He went out the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same. The eleventh hour, he saw others doing nothing. He asked: 'Why are you here all the day doing nothing?' They said: 'No man has given us work.' He told them to go work with the rest in the vineyard. When evening came, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager: 'Let the workers come and pay them from the last to the first.' Those men who went to work at the eleventh hour were each given a penny. Those who worked longer, expected to be paid more. They were also given a penny. When they got it, they protested against the master of the house. They said: 'The last ones have done only one hour's work. You have made them equal to us. We have undergone the hard work of the day and the burning heat.' He told them: 'I do you no wrong. You made an agreement with me for a penny. Take what is yours and leave. I wish to give to the last workers the same as to you. Is it lawful for me to do what I wish with what is mine? Or is your eye jealous because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the first last.

He told another illustration, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man that sowed good seed in his field. While he slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds with the wheat, and went away. When the blade sprouted and brought forth fruit, it looked like wheat. read more.
The servants of the householder said to him: 'Sir, did you sow good seed in your field? Why does it have weeds mixed in with the good wheat?' He replied: 'An enemy did this.' The servants offered to remove the weeds. He said: 'No, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. In the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather weeds first, and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then gather the wheat into my barn.' In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches. He offered another illustration: The kingdom of heaven is similar to leaven. A woman hid leaven in three measures of meal until it was all leavened. Jesus spoke with illustrations to the crowds. He did not speak anything without using illustrations. That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples gathered near him. They said: Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field. Jesus said: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world (the society of mankind). The good seed are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one. The enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels. The weeds are gathered up and burned (destroyed) with fire. It will be this way at the end of the age. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who stumble others and commit lawlessness. The angels will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The righteous will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears let him hear. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found the treasure and hid it again in the field. He is so filled with joy he sells everything he owns and buys the field. The kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant seeking valuable pearls. When he found one pearl of great value, he sold all that he had, and bought it. The kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea. It gathered fish of every kind. They drew it up on the beach when it was full. They gathered the good into containers and threw away the bad. It will be that way at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous. The wicked will be cast into the furnace of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They said to him: Yes. And he said to them: Every scribe (journalist) (writer) who has been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like a man that is a householder, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who went over his accounts with his servants. First, one came to him who owed him ten thousand talents. He was not able to make payment. So his lord gave orders for him to be sold. His wife, sons, and daughters were all to be sold along with every possession. The money would be used for payment of what he owed. read more.
So the servant fell on his face out of respect. He said: 'Lord, give me time to make payment and I will pay everything.' Being moved with pity, the lord let him go, and made him free of the debt. Then that servant met another servant who was in debt to him for one hundred denarii. He took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay your debt now.' That servant fell down before him, saying, 'Give me time and I will make payment to you.' He would not give him time. He put him into prison till he paid the debt. When the other servants saw what happened, they were very sad. They told their lord what had been done. His lord sent for him, and said: 'Evil servant; I made you free of all that debt, because of your request to me. Should you [also] show mercy to your fellow servant the same way I showed mercy to you?' His lord was angry and sent him to jail to be punished until he paid back all of his debt. My heavenly Father will treat you like that if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.

One of the guests at the table then said to Jesus: Those who sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God will be happy! Jesus said: There was a man who gave a great feast to which he invited many people. He sent his servant to tell the guests that everything is ready. read more.
They all made excuses one after another. The first one told the servant: 'I bought a field and must go and look at it. Please accept my apologies.' Another said: 'I purchased five pairs of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.' Another explained: 'I am newly married and I cannot come.' The servant returned and conveyed this to his master. The master was furious. He commanded his servant to hurry into the streets and alleys of the town, and bring back the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. The servant soon told his master, 'Your order has been carried out but there is still more room.' The master told the servant, 'Go to the country roads and lanes and make people come so my house will be full.' None of those who were invited will taste my dinner! He said.

The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish took no oil with their lamps. read more.
The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. They all slept, because the bridegroom delayed his arrival. There was a shout at midnight. 'Here is the bridegroom! Come meet him.' The virgins awoke and trimmed their lamps. All the foolish virgins said to the wise: 'Give us your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered: 'There will not be enough for both of us. Go to the dealers and buy oil for yourself.' While they were away, the bridegroom came. They that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast and the door was shut. Later the other virgins came, saying: 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But he told them: 'I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you do not know the day or the hour. It is like a man going to another country. He called his servants and put them in charge of his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one. He assigned according to the servants' ability. Then he went on his journey. Right away the servant who received the five talents traded with them and made another five talents. In like manner, he who received the two gained another two. He who received the one dug a hole in the ground and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came back to settle with them. The servant who received five talents brought another five talents. He said: 'Lord, here are your five talents, plus the five I gained.' His lord said: 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, so I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' The one who received two talents said: 'Lord you gave me two talents and I gained another two talents.' His lord said: 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' The servant who received one talent said: 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man. You reap where you did not sow and gather where you did not scatter. I was afraid, so I hid your talent in the earth. See, you have what is yours.' But his lord answered: 'You wicked and lazy servant. You knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter. You should have put my money in the bank. I should have received my money back plus interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. More will be given to every one who has and he will have abundance. He who does not have will have every thing taken away. Throw the worthless servant into outer darkness. There will be crying and grinding of teeth.'

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He sent out his servants to invite guests to the feast, but they would not come. Again he sent out other servants with orders to say to the guests, 'I have prepared my feast. Oxen and fat livestock are butchered and everything is ready, so come to the feast.' read more.
But they paid no attention and went about their business. One went to his farm and another went to his trade. The rest violently attacked his servants and put them to death. The king was angry, and sent his armies to put the evil servants to death and to destroy their town with fire. He said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but the guests were not worthy. Go then, to the main roads, and invite all those whom you see to come to the feast.' They went to the roads and brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike. And the banquet room was filled with guests. When the king met the guests he found that one of them was not wearing the right kind of clothes for the wedding. The king asked why did he not wear proper clothes for the wedding? But the guest had no excuse. The king gave orders for that person to be tied hand and foot and thrown outside into the dark. That is where people will cry and grind their teeth in pain. Many are called, but few chosen.

He asked them: Is the lamp placed under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on the stand? There is nothing hidden unless it should be made known. Nothing is made secret that should come to light. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. read more.
Then he said: Be careful what you listen to. That which is portioned out by you might be portioned to you and more. He who has, to him it will be given. He who has not, from him will be taken even that which he has. He added: The kingdom of God is like this. A man plants seed in the earth. He sleeps and gets up night and day until the plants grow though he has no idea how. The earth gives fruit by itself. First comes the leaf, then the head, then full grain. When the grain is ready he immediately sends men to cut it, because the time for cutting has come. He said: What illustration should we use to picture the kingdom of God? What story will make it clear? It is like a grain of mustard seed. When it is planted in the earth it is smaller than all the seeds on the earth. But when it is planted it grows and becomes taller than all the plants. It grows out great branches so that the birds of heaven are able to take rest in its shade. He spoke the word to them with many illustrations as long as they were able to listen. He spoke only with illustrations. However he made all things clear to his disciples in private.

Jesus continued: To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? What is it like? It is like this. A man plants a mustard seed in his field. The plant grows and becomes a tree. The birds make their nests in its branches. Again Jesus asked: With what should I compare the Kingdom of God? read more.
It is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour. Soon the whole batch of dough rises.


In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.

Jesus continued: To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? What is it like? It is like this. A man plants a mustard seed in his field. The plant grows and becomes a tree. The birds make their nests in its branches.

He said: What illustration should we use to picture the kingdom of God? What story will make it clear? It is like a grain of mustard seed. When it is planted in the earth it is smaller than all the seeds on the earth.


In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.


Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.


He told them many illustrations. He said: A farmer went out to sow.

Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.



When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All nations will be gathered before him. He will then separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. read more.
The King will say to those on his right hand: 'Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.' The righteous will answer him: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and dress you? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?' The King will answer: 'To the extent that you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.' Then he will tell those on his left: 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the ever-burning fire that is prepared for the Devil and his [fallen] angels. I was hungry and you did not feed me. I was thirsty and you did not give me drink. I was a stranger and you did not take me in. I was naked and you did not dress me. I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' They will also ask: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison and not minister to you?' The King will answer: 'To the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of my brothers, you did not do it to me.' These will go away into ever-burning fire (everlasting cutting off) (death) (total destruction) (doom) (punishment) (everlasting penalty), but the righteous to everlasting life.'

Be sure there is no one here today who hears these solemn demands and yet convinces himself that all will be well with him. He would go stubbornly on his own way. That would destroy all of you, good and evil alike. Jehovah will never be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of Jehovah and / His jealousy will burn against that man. Every curse which is written in this book will rest on him. Jehovah will blot out his name from under heaven. Jehovah will destroy you by piling on you all the curses that are written in this book of Law. You will be forgotten forever.

He told another illustration, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man that sowed good seed in his field. While he slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds with the wheat, and went away. When the blade sprouted and brought forth fruit, it looked like wheat. read more.
The servants of the householder said to him: 'Sir, did you sow good seed in your field? Why does it have weeds mixed in with the good wheat?' He replied: 'An enemy did this.' The servants offered to remove the weeds. He said: 'No, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. In the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather weeds first, and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then gather the wheat into my barn.' In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches. He offered another illustration: The kingdom of heaven is similar to leaven. A woman hid leaven in three measures of meal until it was all leavened. Jesus spoke with illustrations to the crowds. He did not speak anything without using illustrations. That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples gathered near him. They said: Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field. Jesus said: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world (the society of mankind). The good seed are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one. The enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels. The weeds are gathered up and burned (destroyed) with fire. It will be this way at the end of the age. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who stumble others and commit lawlessness. The angels will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The righteous will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears let him hear. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found the treasure and hid it again in the field. He is so filled with joy he sells everything he owns and buys the field. The kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant seeking valuable pearls. When he found one pearl of great value, he sold all that he had, and bought it. The kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea. It gathered fish of every kind. They drew it up on the beach when it was full. They gathered the good into containers and threw away the bad. It will be that way at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous. The wicked will be cast into the furnace of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


That day Jesus left the house and sat by the seashore. Large crowds gathered to him. He entered a boat while the crowd stood on the shore. He told them many illustrations. He said: A farmer went out to sow. read more.
Some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds devoured them. Others fell on rocky places and did not have much soil. When they grew, the sun scorched them, and because they had no root they withered and died. Others fell upon the thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them. Some fell on good ground and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. He that has ears let him hear. The disciples asked him: Why do you speak in illustrations? He responded: You are allowed to know the divine secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but it is not for others to know. (The Greek word for you is plural and is applied to the disciples as a group.) He who has shall receive more to the point of abundance. He who does not have, it shall be taken away including that which he has. I speak to them in illustrations (stories) (parables) (allegories), because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear. They just do not understand. The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled. 'By hearing, you shall hear, and shall in no way understand. By seeing you shall see, and shall in no way perceive. The heart of this people is callous and dull. Their ears are plugged. They cannot hear. They closed their eyes and cannot see. They cannot see nor hear nor understand with their heart. They should turn around and I would heal them.' Happy and blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things that you see, and could not see them. They also desired to hear the things that you hear, and could not hear them. Listen to the illustration of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand, the evil one takes away that which was sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. Anyone sown among the rocky places hears the word and immediately with joy receives it. There is no root in him. He endures for a while. When he has tribulation or persecution because of the word, he falls away. He that was sown among thorns hears the word. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. He that was sown upon the good ground hears the word, and understands it. He bears fruit, producing sometimes a hundredfold, sometimes sixty, and sometimes thirty. He told another illustration, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man that sowed good seed in his field. While he slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds with the wheat, and went away. When the blade sprouted and brought forth fruit, it looked like wheat. The servants of the householder said to him: 'Sir, did you sow good seed in your field? Why does it have weeds mixed in with the good wheat?' He replied: 'An enemy did this.' The servants offered to remove the weeds. He said: 'No, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. In the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather weeds first, and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then gather the wheat into my barn.' In another illustration Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches. He offered another illustration: The kingdom of heaven is similar to leaven. A woman hid leaven in three measures of meal until it was all leavened. Jesus spoke with illustrations to the crowds. He did not speak anything without using illustrations. That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples gathered near him. They said: Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field. Jesus said: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world (the society of mankind). The good seed are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one. The enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels. The weeds are gathered up and burned (destroyed) with fire. It will be this way at the end of the age. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who stumble others and commit lawlessness. The angels will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The righteous will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears let him hear. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found the treasure and hid it again in the field. He is so filled with joy he sells everything he owns and buys the field. The kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant seeking valuable pearls. When he found one pearl of great value, he sold all that he had, and bought it. The kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea. It gathered fish of every kind. They drew it up on the beach when it was full. They gathered the good into containers and threw away the bad. It will be that way at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous. The wicked will be cast into the furnace of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They said to him: Yes. And he said to them: Every scribe (journalist) (writer) who has been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like a man that is a householder, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.

He taught them many things by illustrations and said to them: Listen, the sower went out to sow. As he sowed some seed fell by the road and the birds came and devoured it. read more.
Other seed fell on the rocky ground and did not have good soil. Immediately it sprang up, because it had no good soil it became scorched when the sun came up. Then it withered because it had no root. Some seed fell among the thorns. The thorns grew up and choked it so it could yield no fruit. Others fell on good ground and yielded fruit. It grew up, increased and produced thirty fold, and sixty fold, and a hundred fold. He continued: He who has ears to hear let him hear. When he was alone his followers including the twelve asked about the illustrations. He told them: The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you. Illustrations are spoken to outsiders. So that seeing they may see and not perceive. And hearing they may hear and not understand. Otherwise they might repent and be forgiven. Then he asked: Do you not understand this illustration? How will you understand any of the illustrations? The sower sows the word. These are they by the wayside where the word is sown. When they have heard; Satan comes and takes away the word that has been sown in them. The same is so of the word sown upon the rocky places. When they have heard the word and receive it with joy, they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while. They stumble when tribulation or persecution arise. There is the word sown among the thorns. These have heard the word, but the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts for other things enter in and choke the word. So it becomes unfruitful. Those who represent that sown upon the good soil hear the word and accept it. They bear fruit, thirty fold, and sixty fold, and a hundred fold. He asked them: Is the lamp placed under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on the stand? There is nothing hidden unless it should be made known. Nothing is made secret that should come to light. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. Then he said: Be careful what you listen to. That which is portioned out by you might be portioned to you and more. He who has, to him it will be given. He who has not, from him will be taken even that which he has. He added: The kingdom of God is like this. A man plants seed in the earth. He sleeps and gets up night and day until the plants grow though he has no idea how. The earth gives fruit by itself. First comes the leaf, then the head, then full grain. When the grain is ready he immediately sends men to cut it, because the time for cutting has come. He said: What illustration should we use to picture the kingdom of God? What story will make it clear? It is like a grain of mustard seed. When it is planted in the earth it is smaller than all the seeds on the earth. But when it is planted it grows and becomes taller than all the plants. It grows out great branches so that the birds of heaven are able to take rest in its shade. He spoke the word to them with many illustrations as long as they were able to listen.


Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.


Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.