Then His disciples asked Him, “What does this parable mean?”

Soon afterward He was traveling from one town and village to another, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him,

Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

One day He and His disciples got into a boat, and He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they set out,

and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her);

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

As a large crowd was gathering, and people were flocking to Him from every town, He said in a parable:

For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come to light.

He was told, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.”

Still other seed fell on good ground; when it sprang up, it produced a crop: 100 times what was sown.” As He said this, He called out, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!”

When He got out on land, a demon-possessed man from the town met Him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs.

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What do You have to do with me, Jesus, You Son of the Most High God? I beg You, don’t torment me!”

But He replied to them, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.”

They came and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die!” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm.

Other seed fell on the rock; when it sprang up, it withered, since it lacked moisture.

and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger.

Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.

For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places.

And they begged Him not to banish them to the abyss.

He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who can this be? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey Him!”

“What is your name?” Jesus asked him.

“Legion,” he said—because many demons had entered him.

When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him, for they were all expecting Him.

“No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light.

So He said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that

Looking they may not see,
and hearing they may not understand.

Then His mother and brothers came to Him, but they could not meet with Him because of the crowd.

Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.

But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, bear fruit.

And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, welcome the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing.

As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit.

Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

“A sower went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

A woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years, who had spent all she had on doctors yet could not be healed by any,

The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

“Daughter,” He said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet and pleaded with Him to come to his house,

While He was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother the Teacher anymore.”

because he had an only daughter about 12 years old, and she was at death’s door.

While He was going, the crowds were nearly crushing Him.

Then all the people of the Gerasene region asked Him to leave them, because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, He returned.

A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged Him to permit them to enter the pigs, and He gave them permission.

Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

After He came to the house, He let no one enter with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother.

When Jesus heard it, He answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well.”

“Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.” And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.

The man from whom the demons had departed kept begging Him to be with Him. But He sent him away and said,

When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran off and reported it in the town and in the countryside.

“Who touched Me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You.”

Everyone was crying and mourning for her. But He said, “Stop crying, for she is not dead but asleep.”

“Someone did touch Me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from Me.”

approached from behind and touched the tassel of His robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped.

So He took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!”

Meanwhile, the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered.

When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured.

Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then He gave orders that she be given something to eat.

The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

Her parents were astounded, but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

They started laughing at Him, because they knew she was dead.