Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. For the foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. read more.
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. And as the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, Lo! the bridegroom! go out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, Perhaps there will not be enough for us and you; go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, lord, open to us. But he answering said, Truly do I say to you, I know you not, Watch, therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

Take heed, watch; for ye know not when the time is. As a man going abroad, having left his house and given authority to his servants, to each one his work, also commanded the porter to watch, so also watch ye; for ye know not when the master of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning; read more.
lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and be yourselves like men waiting for the return of their lord from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Happy are those servants, whom their lord when he cometh shall find watching; truly do I say to you, that he will gird himself, and place them at table, and will come and wait on them. read more.
And if in the second, or if in the third watch, he cometh and findeth them thus, happy are they. And be sure of this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye also ready; for at an hour when ye think not the Son of man cometh.

And while they were hearing these things, he proceeded and spoke a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, Trade with these, till I come. read more.
But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, when he had returned, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what each had gained by trading. And the first came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him, Well done, good servant! because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said also to this servant, And be thou over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin. For I feared thee, because thou art a harsh man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow. He saith to him, Out of thy mouth will I judge thee, wicked servant! thou knewest that I was a harsh man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow; why then didst thou not put my money into a bank? Then I at my coming might have received it back with interest. And he said to them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath the ten pounds. (And they said to him, He hath ten pounds, Lord.) I say to you, that to every one who hath, will be given; but from him that hath not, even what he hath will be taken away. But as for those enemies of mine, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them here, and slay them before me.

And he spoke to them a parable: Behold the figtree and all the trees; when they have already shot forth, ye see it, and know of yourselves that summer is now nigh at hand. So also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. read more.
Truly do I say to you, that this generation will not pass away, till all shall have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be weighed down with surfeiting and drunkenness and worldly cares, and that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare will it come on all that dwell on the face of the whole earth. But watch at all times, and pray that ye may be able to escape all the things that are about to come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.


And while they were hearing these things, he proceeded and spoke a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, Trade with these, till I come. read more.
But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, when he had returned, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what each had gained by trading. And the first came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him, Well done, good servant! because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said also to this servant, And be thou over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin. For I feared thee, because thou art a harsh man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow. He saith to him, Out of thy mouth will I judge thee, wicked servant! thou knewest that I was a harsh man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow; why then didst thou not put my money into a bank? Then I at my coming might have received it back with interest. And he said to them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath the ten pounds. (And they said to him, He hath ten pounds, Lord.) I say to you, that to every one who hath, will be given; but from him that hath not, even what he hath will be taken away. But as for those enemies of mine, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them here, and slay them before me.


And while they were hearing these things, he proceeded and spoke a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, Trade with these, till I come. read more.
But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, when he had returned, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what each had gained by trading. And the first came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him, Well done, good servant! because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said also to this servant, And be thou over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin. For I feared thee, because thou art a harsh man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow. He saith to him, Out of thy mouth will I judge thee, wicked servant! thou knewest that I was a harsh man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow; why then didst thou not put my money into a bank? Then I at my coming might have received it back with interest. And he said to them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath the ten pounds. (And they said to him, He hath ten pounds, Lord.) I say to you, that to every one who hath, will be given; but from him that hath not, even what he hath will be taken away. But as for those enemies of mine, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them here, and slay them before me. And when he had thus spoken, he went forward, going up to Jerusalem.


And while they were hearing these things, he proceeded and spoke a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, Trade with these, till I come. read more.
But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, when he had returned, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what each had gained by trading. And the first came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him, Well done, good servant! because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said also to this servant, And be thou over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin. For I feared thee, because thou art a harsh man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow. He saith to him, Out of thy mouth will I judge thee, wicked servant! thou knewest that I was a harsh man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow; why then didst thou not put my money into a bank? Then I at my coming might have received it back with interest. And he said to them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath the ten pounds. (And they said to him, He hath ten pounds, Lord.) I say to you, that to every one who hath, will be given; but from him that hath not, even what he hath will be taken away. But as for those enemies of mine, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them here, and slay them before me.

For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. And having agreed with the laborers for a denary a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; read more.
and said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatever is right, I will give you. And they went. Again going out about the sixth and the ninth hour, he did likewise. And going out about the eleventh hour, he found others standing, and saith to them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say to him, Because no one hath hired us. He saith to them, Go ye also into the vineyard. And when evening came, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their pay, beginning with the last, and going on to the first. And they who were hired about the eleventh hour came, and received each a denary. But when the first came, they supposed that they should receive more; and they too received each a denary. And when they had received it, they murmured against the householder, saying, These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answering said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst not thou agree with me for a denary? Take thy due, and go. But I will give to this last even as to thee. Am I not free to do what I will with my own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? Thus the last will be first, and the first, last. And as

Another parable he put forth to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came, and sowed tares among the wheat; and went away. But when the blade grew up, and put forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. read more.
So the servants of the householder came and said to him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? Whence then hath it tares? He said to them, An enemy did this. The servants say to him, Dost thou wish then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest, while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles, to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn. Another parable he put forth to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which is the least indeed of all seeds; but when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches. Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, and without a parable he spoke nothing to them; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet Isaiah, saying, "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation [of the world]." Then he sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world; the good seed is the sons of the kingdom; but the tares are the sons of the Evil One; the enemy that sowed them is the Devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels. As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the world. The Son of man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all the stumblingblocks, and those who do iniquity, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then will the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy thereof he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly pearls. And having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, cast into the sea, and bringing together fish of every kind; which, when it was full, they drew upon the beach, and sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So will it be at the end of the world. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Did ye understand all these things? They say to him, Yea. And he said to them, Thus then every scribe, instructed for the kingdom of heaven, is like a householder, who bringeth out from his storehouse things new and old.

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who would settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, there was brought to him one, who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was unable to pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. read more.
Then that servant fell down and did obeisance to him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, who owed him a hundred denaries; and he laid hold of him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest. His fellowservant then fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee. And he would not; but went away and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. Then his fellowservants, seeing what was done, were greatly grieved; and went and told their lord all that had been done. Then his lord, having called him, saith to him, Thou wicked servant! All that debt I forgave thee because thou didst beseech me; shouldst not thou also have had pity on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was enraged, and delivered him to the inflicters of punishment, till he should pay all that was due to him. So also will my heavenly Father do to you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

And one of those who were at table with him, hearing this, said to him, Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. And he said to him, A certain man made a great supper, and invited many. And at the hour of supper he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, Come, for things are now ready. read more.
And all with one accord began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of land, and must needs go out and see it; I pray that I may be excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am going out to try them; I pray that I may be excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. And the servant came, and reported these things to his lord. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, the blind, and the lame. And the servant said, Lord, what thou didst command hath been done, and yet there is room. And the lord said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and constrain them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you, that none of those men who were invited shall taste of my supper.

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. For the foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. read more.
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. And as the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, Lo! the bridegroom! go out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, Perhaps there will not be enough for us and you; go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, lord, open to us. But he answering said, Truly do I say to you, I know you not, Watch, therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour. For it will be as when a man going abroad called his own servants, and intrusted to them his property; and to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his ability, and went abroad. He that had received the five talents went immediately and traded with the same, and gained five talents more. In like manner, he that had received the two gained two more. But he that had received the one went and dug in the earth, and hid his lords money. And after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And he that had received the five talents came and brought five talents more, saying, Lord, thou intrustedst to me five talents; see, I have gained five talents more. His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant! thou hast been faithful over a little, I will place thee in charge of much; enter into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received the two talents came and said, Lord, thou intrustedst to me two talents; see, I have gained two talents more. His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant! thou hast been faithful over a little, I will place thee in charge of much; enter into the joy of thy lord. Then he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee to be a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter seed; and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth. See! thou hast thine own. But his lord answered and said to him, Wicked and slothful servant! Didst thou know that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter seed? Thou oughtest then to have put my money with the moneydealers, and on my coming I should have received mine own with interest. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who hath the ten talents. For to every one that hath will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath will be taken away. And cast out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness; there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriagefeast for his son, and sent forth his servants to call to the feast those who had been invited; and they would not come. Again, he sent other servants, saying, Tell those who have been invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come to the feast. read more.
But they made light of it, and went away; one to his farm, another to his merchandise. And the rest seized his servants, and illtreated and slew them. And the king was enraged; and sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then saith he to his servants, The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the thoroughfares, and as many as ye find, invite to the feast. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all, as many as they found, both bad and good; and the bridechamber was fully furnished with guests. And the king, coming in to view the guests, saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment; and he saith to him, Friend, how camest thou in here, not having a wedding garment? And he was struck dumb. Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.

And he said to them, Is a lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, and not to be set on the lampstand? For there is nothing secret, unless to be made known; nor was any thing hidden, but that it should come to light. If any one hath ears to hear, let him hear. read more.
And he said to them, Take heed what ye hear. With what measure ye mete, it will be measured to you, and more will be added to you. For he that hath, to him will be given; and he that hath not, from him will be taken away even what he hath. And he said, Thus is the kingdom of God, as when a man has cast seed upon the ground, and sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed springs and grows up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the fruit puts itself forth, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest is come. And he said, To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or under what comparison shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth; and when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air can lodge under its shade. And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear. But without a parable he did not speak to them; but in private he explained all things to his own disciples.

He said therefore, To what is the kingdom of God like? and to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and became a tree, and the birds of the air lodged in its branches. And again he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? read more.
It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.