The Parable Of The Sower

1 (A)He began to teach again (B)by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that (C)He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land.

1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

1 Again(A) He began to teach(B) by the sea, and a very large crowd gathered around Him. So He got into a boat on the sea and sat down, while the whole crowd was on the shore facing the sea.

1 Then Jesus began to teach again beside the sea. Such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while the entire crowd remained beside the sea on the shore.

1 Again Jesus began to teach beside the sea [of Galilee]. And a very large crowd gathered around Him, so He got into a boat [anchoring it a short distance out] on the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the shore.(A)

2 And He was teaching them many things in (D)parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,

2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

2 He taught them many things in parables,(C) and in His teaching(D) He said to them:

2 He began teaching them many things in parables. While he was teaching them he said,

2 And He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said to them,

3 “Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow;

3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

3 “Listen! Consider the sower who went out to sow.(E)

3 "Listen! A farmer went out to sow.

3 “Listen! A sower went out to sow seed;

4 as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up.

4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

4 As he sowed, this occurred: Some seed fell along the path,(F) and the birds came and ate(G) it up.

4 As he was sowing, some seeds fell along the path, and birds came and ate them up.

4 and as he was sowing, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and ate it up.

5 Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil.

5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it sprang up right away,(H) since it didn’t have deep soil.

5 Others fell on stony ground, where they didn't have a lot of soil. They sprouted at once, because the soil wasn't deep.

5 Other seed fell on rocks where there was not much soil; and immediately a plant sprang up (a)because the soil had no depth.

6 And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

6 When the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it didn’t have a root, it withered.(I)

6 But when the sun came up, they were scorched. Since they didn't have any roots, they dried up.

6 And when the sun came up, the plant was scorched; and because it had no root, it dried up and withered away.

7 Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.

7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn’t produce a crop.

7 Others fell among thorn bushes, and the thorn bushes came up and choked them out, and they didn't produce anything.

7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.

8 Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

8 Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop that increased(J) 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.”(K)

8 But others fell on good soil and produced a crop. They grew up, increased in size, and produced 30, 60, or 100 times what was sown."

8 And other seed fell into good soil, and as the plants grew and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundred times [as much as had been sown].”

9 And He was saying, (E)He who has ears to hear, (a)let him hear.”

9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9 Then He said, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!”(L)

9 He added, "Let the person who has ears to hear, listen!"

9 And He said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.”

The Reason For The Parables

10 As soon as He was alone, (b)His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables.

10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

10 When He was alone with the Twelve,(M) those who were around Him asked Him about the parables.(N)

10 When he was alone with the Twelve and those around him, they began to ask him about the parables.

10 As soon as He was alone, those who were around Him, together with the twelve [disciples], began asking Him about [the interpretation of] the parables.

11 And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but (F)those who are outside get everything (G)in parables,

11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

11 He answered them, “The secret(O) of the kingdom of God(P) has been given to you, but to those outside,(Q) everything comes in parables

11 He told them, "The secret about the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside, everything comes in parables

11 He said to them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you [who have teachable hearts], but those who are outside [the unbelievers, the spiritually blind] get everything in parables,

12 so that (H)while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven.”

12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

12 so thatthey may look and look,yet not perceive;they may listen and listen,yet not understand;(R)otherwise, they might turn back—and be forgiven.(a)(S)(b)

12 so that "they may see clearly but not perceive, and they may hear clearly but not understand, otherwise they might turn around and be forgiven.'"

12 so that they will continually look but not see, and they will continually hear but not understand, otherwise they might turn [from their rejection of the truth] and be forgiven.”(B)

The Parable Of The Sower Interpreted

13 (I)And He *said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?

13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

13 Then(T) He said to them: “Don’t you understand this parable?(U) How then will you understand any of the parables?

13 Then he told them, "You don't understand this parable, so how can you understand any of the parables?

13 Then He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand and grasp the meaning of all the parables?(C)

14 The sower sows the word.

14 The sower soweth the word.

14 The sower sows(V) the word.(W)

14 The farmer sows the word.

14 The sower sows the word [of God, the good news regarding the way of salvation].

15 These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately (J)Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.

15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

15 These(c) are the ones along the path(X) where the word is sown: when they hear, immediately Satan(Y) comes and takes away the word(Z) sown in them.(d)

15 Some people are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. When they hear it, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

15 These [in the first group] are the ones along the road where the word is sown; but when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.

16 In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy;

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

16 And these are(e) the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy.(AA)

16 Others are like the seeds sown on the stony ground. When they hear the word, at once they joyfully accept it,

16 In a similar way these [in the second group] are the ones on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy [but accept it only superficially];

17 and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they (c)fall away.

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

17 But they have no root in themselves; they are short-lived. When pressure(AB) or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately stumble.(AC)

17 but since they don't have any roots, they last for only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes along because of the word, they immediately fall away.

17 and they have no real root in themselves, so they endure only for a little while; then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they [are offended and displeased at being associated with Me and] stumble and fall away.

18 And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word,

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

18 Others are sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word,

18 Still others are like the seeds sown among the thorn bushes. These are the people who hear the word,

18 And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word,

19 but the worries of (K)the (d)world, and the (L)deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

19 but the worries(AD) of this age,(AE) the seduction(f)(AF) of wealth,(AG) and the desires(AH) for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.(AI)

19 but the worries of life, the deceitful pleasures of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word so that it can't produce a crop.

19 but the worries and cares of the world [the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

20 And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and (M)bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

20 But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word,(AJ) welcome it, and produce a crop:(AK) 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.”

20 Others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, accept it, and produce crops 30, 60, or 100 times what was sown."

20 And those [in the last group] are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word [of God, the good news regarding the way of salvation] and accept it and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much [as was sown].”

The Parable Of The Lamp

21 And He was saying to them, (N)A lamp is not brought to be put under a (e)basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?

21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

21 He(AL) also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed?(AM) Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand?(AN)

21 Then Jesus told them, "A lamp isn't brought indoors to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? It's to be put on a lamp stand, isn't it?

21 He said to them, “A lamp is not brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not [brought in] to be put on the lampstand?(D)

22 (O)For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.

22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

22 For nothing is concealed except to be revealed,(AO) and nothing hidden except to come to light.

22 Nothing is hidden except for the purpose of having it revealed, and nothing is secret except for the purpose of having it come to light.

22 For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been kept secret, but that it would come to light [that is, things are hidden only temporarily, until the appropriate time comes for them to be known].(E)

23 (P)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

23 If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen!”(AP)

23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!

23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.”

24 And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. (f)(Q)By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.

24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

24 Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure(AQ) you use,(g)(AR) it will be measured and added(AS) to you.

24 He went on to say to them, "Pay attention to what you're hearing! You will be evaluated by the same standard with which you do your evaluating, and still more will be given to you,

24 Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides.

25 (R)For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

25 For to the one who has, it will be given, and from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”(AT)

25 because whoever has something, will have more given to him. But whoever has nothing, even what he has will be taken away."

25 For (b)whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”(F)

The Parable Of The Seed That Grows By Itself

26 And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil;

26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

26 “The kingdom of God(AU) is like this,” He said. “A man scatters seed on the ground;

26 He was also saying, "The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seeds on the ground.

26 Then He said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on the ground;

27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.

27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

27 he sleeps(AV) and rises(AW)—night(AX) and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—he doesn’t know how.

27 He sleeps and gets up night and day while the seeds sprout and grow, although he doesn't know how

27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know.

28 The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.

28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

28 The soil produces a crop(AY) by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the ripe grain(AZ) on the head.

28 the ground produces grain by itself first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.

28 The earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head [of grain], then the mature grain in the head.

29 But when the crop permits, he immediately (g)(S)puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

29 But as soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle,(BA) because the harvest(BB) has come.”

29 But when the grain is ripe, he immediately starts cutting with his sickle because the harvest time has come."

29 But when the crop ripens, he immediately puts in the sickle [to reap], because [the time for] the harvest has come.”

The Parable Of The Mustard Seed

30 (T)And He said, “How shall we (h)(U)picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

30 And(BC) He said: “How can we illustrate the kingdom of God,(BD) or what parable(BE) can we use to describe it?

30 He was also saying, "How can we show what the kingdom of God is like, or what parable can we use to describe it?

30 And He said, “How shall we (c)picture the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it?(G)

31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil,

31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

31 It’s like a mustard seed(BF) that, when sown in the soil, is smaller than all the seeds on the ground.

31 It's like a mustard seed planted in the ground. Although it's the smallest of all the seeds on earth,

31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when it is sown on the ground, even though it is (d)smaller than all the [other] seeds that are [sown] on the soil,

32 yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that (V)the birds of the (i)air can nest under its shade.”

32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

32 And when sown,(BG) it comes up and grows taller than all the vegetables,(BH) and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky(BI) can nest in its shade.”

32 when it's planted it comes up and becomes larger than all the garden plants. It grows such large branches that the birds in the sky can nest in its shade."

32 yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden herbs; and it puts out large branches, so that the birds of the sky are able to make nests and live under its shade.”(H)

Using Parables

33 With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it;

33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

33 He would speak the word(BJ) to them with many parables(BK) like these, as they were able to understand.(BL)

33 With many other parables like these, Jesus kept speaking his message to them according to their ability to understand.

33 With many such parables, Jesus spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear and understand it;

34 and He did not speak to them (W)without a parable; but He was (X)explaining everything privately to His own disciples.

34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

34 And He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, He would explain everything to His own disciples.(BM)

34 He did not tell them anything without using a parable, though he explained everything to his disciples in private.

34 and He did not say anything to them without [using] a parable; He did, however, explain everything privately to His own disciples.

Calming Of A Storm

35 (Y)On that day, when evening came, He *said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

35 On(BN) that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.”

35 That day, when evening had come, he told them, "Let's cross to the other side."

35 On that [same] day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee].”

36 (j)Leaving the crowd, they *took Him along with them (Z)in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

36 So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him.

36 So they left the crowd and took him away in a boat without making any special preparations. Other boats were with him.

36 So leaving the crowd, they took Him with them, just as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him.(I)

37 And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

37 A fierce windstorm(BO) arose, and the waves(BP) were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.

37 A violent windstorm came up, and the waves began breaking into the boat, so that the boat was rapidly becoming swamped.

37 And a (e)fierce windstorm began to blow, and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped.

38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

38 But He was in the stern, sleeping(BQ) on the cushion. So they woke Him up(BR) and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?”(BS)

38 But Jesus was in the back of the boat, asleep on a cushion. So they woke him up and asked him, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to die?"

38 But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?”

39 And He got up and (AA)rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and (k)it became perfectly calm.

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

39 He got up, rebuked(BT) the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence!(BU) Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

39 Then he got up, rebuked the wind, and told the sea, "Calm down! Be still!" Then the wind stopped blowing, and there was a great calm.

39 And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness].

40 And He said to them, “Why are you (l)afraid? (AB)Do you still have no faith?”

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

40 Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful?(BV) Do you still have no faith?”

40 He asked them, "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith yet?"

40 Jesus said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith and confidence [in Me]?”

41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

41 And they were terrified(BW) and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey(BX) Him!”(BY)

41 Overcome with fear, they kept saying to one another, "Who is this man? Even the wind and the sea obey him!"

41 They were filled with great fear, and said to each other, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

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