Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Another parable he laid before them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that 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 sprung up, and produced fruit, then appeared the tares also. read more.
And the servants of the master of the house came, and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Whence, then, has it tares? He said to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Is it your will, then, that we go and gather them up? But he said, No; lest while you are gathering the tares, you root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together till the harvest, and in time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Collect first the tares, and bind them into bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my granary. Another parable he laid before them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like- a grain of mustard, that a man took and sowed in his field. It is, indeed, the least of all seeds; but when it is grown it is the largest of garden-plants, and be comes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and roost in its branches. He spoke another parable to them: The kingdom of. heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, and without a parable he did not speak to them; that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus left the multitudes, and went into the house. And his disciples came to him and said: Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said to them: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; the tares are the sons of the Wicked One; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. As, therefore, the tares are collected and burned in fire, so shall it be in the end of this age. The Son of man will send forth his angels, and collect out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who work iniquity, and cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears to hear,- let him hear. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field, which, when a man finds it, he hides; and for the joy it gives, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly pearls. When he finds one pearl of great value, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that is cast into the sea, and that gathers of every kind: when it is full, they draw it to the shore; and sitting down, they collect the good into vessels, but throw the bad away. So shall it be in the end of the age: the angels shall come forth and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said to them: Have you understood all these things? They said to him: Yes, Lord. He said to them: Therefore, every scribe that is trained for the kingdom of heaven, is like the master of a house, who brings out of his treasury things new and old.


and said: Verily I say to you, Unless you turn and become as little children, you can not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever, therefore, humbles himself as this little child, is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And he said to them: You are from beneath, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.

Another parable he laid before them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that 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 sprung up, and produced fruit, then appeared the tares also. read more.
And the servants of the master of the house came, and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Whence, then, has it tares? He said to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Is it your will, then, that we go and gather them up? But he said, No; lest while you are gathering the tares, you root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together till the harvest, and in time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Collect first the tares, and bind them into bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my granary. Another parable he laid before them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like- a grain of mustard, that a man took and sowed in his field. It is, indeed, the least of all seeds; but when it is grown it is the largest of garden-plants, and be comes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and roost in its branches. He spoke another parable to them: The kingdom of. heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, and without a parable he did not speak to them; that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus left the multitudes, and went into the house. And his disciples came to him and said: Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said to them: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; the tares are the sons of the Wicked One; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. As, therefore, the tares are collected and burned in fire, so shall it be in the end of this age. The Son of man will send forth his angels, and collect out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who work iniquity, and cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears to hear,- let him hear. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field, which, when a man finds it, he hides; and for the joy it gives, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly pearls. When he finds one pearl of great value, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that is cast into the sea, and that gathers of every kind: when it is full, they draw it to the shore; and sitting down, they collect the good into vessels, but throw the bad away. So shall it be in the end of the age: the angels shall come forth and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said to them: Have you understood all these things? They said to him: Yes, Lord.

nor shall it be said, Lo here! or Lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is among you.

Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not hence. Then Pilate said to him: You are a king, then? Jesus answered; You say that I am a king. For this purpose was I born, and for this purpose I came into the world, that I might testify to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, hears my voice.

So, then, we henceforth know no man according to the flesh; if, indeed, we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we no longer thus know him. So, then, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God, for the overthrowing of strongholds,) overthrowing reasonings and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and leading captive every thought to the obedience of the Christ,


Another parable he laid before them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that 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 sprung up, and produced fruit, then appeared the tares also. read more.
And the servants of the master of the house came, and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Whence, then, has it tares? He said to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Is it your will, then, that we go and gather them up? But he said, No; lest while you are gathering the tares, you root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together till the harvest, and in time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Collect first the tares, and bind them into bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my granary. Another parable he laid before them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like- a grain of mustard, that a man took and sowed in his field. It is, indeed, the least of all seeds; but when it is grown it is the largest of garden-plants, and be comes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and roost in its branches. He spoke another parable to them: The kingdom of. heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, and without a parable he did not speak to them; that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus left the multitudes, and went into the house. And his disciples came to him and said: Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said to them: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; the tares are the sons of the Wicked One; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. As, therefore, the tares are collected and burned in fire, so shall it be in the end of this age. The Son of man will send forth his angels, and collect out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who work iniquity, and cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears to hear,- let him hear. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field, which, when a man finds it, he hides; and for the joy it gives, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly pearls. When he finds one pearl of great value, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that is cast into the sea, and that gathers of every kind: when it is full, they draw it to the shore; and sitting down, they collect the good into vessels, but throw the bad away. So shall it be in the end of the age: the angels shall come forth and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said to them: Have you understood all these things? They said to him: Yes, Lord. He said to them: Therefore, every scribe that is trained for the kingdom of heaven, is like the master of a house, who brings out of his treasury things new and old. And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from that place.

And he said: So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should sow seed in the ground, and should sleep and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knows not how. For the earth, of its own accord, produces fruit, first the blade; then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. read more.
But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he sends forth the sickle, because the harvest is ready. And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or, by what similitude shall we illustrate it? It is like a grain of mustard, which, when it is sown in the ground, is less than all seeds that are in the ground; yet, when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes larger than all garden-plants, and sends out great branches, so that the birds of the air can roost under its shadow. 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 when alone, he explained all things to his disciples.


And as they heard these things, he also spoke a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately appear. He said, there fore: A certain nobleman went into a distant 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, Engage in trade 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, that, when he had returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded those servants to be called, to whom he had given the money, that he might know what each had gained by trading. And the first came and said: Lord, your pound has gained ten pounds. And he said to him: Well done, good servant; because you have been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. And the second came and said: Lord, your pound has gained five pounds. And he said to him also: And be you over five cities. And another came and said: Lord, behold your pound, which I have kept laid away in a napkin. For I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man; you take up that which you did not lay down, and reap that which you did not sow. Then he said to him: Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was a hard man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow. And why then did you not put my money into the bank, that, when I came, I could have collected it with inter est? And he said to those who stood by: Take from him the pound, and give it to him that has ten pounds. And they said to him: Lord, he has ten pounds. For I say to you, To every one that has, it shall be given; but from him that has not, even that which he has shall be taken away. But those who are my enemies, who were not willing that I should rule over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

For the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a house, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the market, idle; read more.
and he said to them: Go you also into my vine yard, and whatever is right I will give you. And they went. Again he went out about the sixth, and about the ninth hour, and did in like manner. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and said to them, Why do you stand here all the day idle? They said to him: No man has hired us. He said to them: Go you also into the vineyard, and whatever is right you shall receive. When the evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward: Call the laborers, and, beginning with the last, pay them their hire even to the first. And when those came who had been hired about the eleventh hour, they received each one a denarius. But when those came who had been hired first, they thought that they would receive more; and they received each one a denarius. And when they received it, they murmured against the master of the house, saying: These last have worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day, and the heat. But he answered and said to one of them: Friend, I do you no in justice; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours, and go; I will give to this last even as to you. Is it not allowed me to do what I will with my own? Or, is your eye envious, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Another parable he laid before them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that 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 sprung up, and produced fruit, then appeared the tares also. read more.
And the servants of the master of the house came, and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Whence, then, has it tares? He said to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Is it your will, then, that we go and gather them up? But he said, No; lest while you are gathering the tares, you root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together till the harvest, and in time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Collect first the tares, and bind them into bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my granary. Another parable he laid before them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like- a grain of mustard, that a man took and sowed in his field. It is, indeed, the least of all seeds; but when it is grown it is the largest of garden-plants, and be comes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and roost in its branches. He spoke another parable to them: The kingdom of. heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, and without a parable he did not speak to them; that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus left the multitudes, and went into the house. And his disciples came to him and said: Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said to them: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; the tares are the sons of the Wicked One; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. As, therefore, the tares are collected and burned in fire, so shall it be in the end of this age. The Son of man will send forth his angels, and collect out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who work iniquity, and cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears to hear,- let him hear. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field, which, when a man finds it, he hides; and for the joy it gives, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly pearls. When he finds one pearl of great value, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that is cast into the sea, and that gathers of every kind: when it is full, they draw it to the shore; and sitting down, they collect the good into vessels, but throw the bad away. So shall it be in the end of the age: the angels shall come forth and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said to them: Have you understood all these things? They said to him: Yes, Lord. He said to them: Therefore, every scribe that is trained for the kingdom of heaven, is like the master of a house, who brings out of his treasury things new and old.

For this reason, the kingdom of heaven is likened to a king that wished to settle accounts with his servants. And when he began to make a settlement, there was brought to him one that owed him ten thou sand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his lord commanded him, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, to be sold, and payment to be made. read more.
Therefore, the servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, Lord, and I will pay you all. And the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and let him go, and for gave him the debt. But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hold of him, and took him by the throat, saying: Pay me what you owe. Then his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and be sought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not; but went and threw him into prison, till he should pay the debt. When his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sad, and went and made known to their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him and said to him: Wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you besought me. Ought you not to have had mercy on your fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on you? And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all that was due him. So also will my heavenly Father do to you, if, from your hearts, you forgive not every one his brother's offenses.

And a certain one of those who reclined at table with him, after hearing these things, said to him: Blessed is he who shall cat bread in the kingdom of God. And he said to him: A certain man made a great supper, and invited many. And he sent his servant at the hour of supper, to say to those who had been invited, Come, for all things are now ready. read more.
And they all, with one consent, began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a farm, and I must go and see it; I pray you, have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them; I pray you, have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and, for this reason, I can not come. And that servant came and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house was angry, and 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 lame and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as you commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said to his servant, Go out into the roads, and among the hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be full. For I say to you, that not one of those men who have been invited, shall taste of my supper.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bride-groom. Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: read more.
but the wise took oil in their vessels, with their lamps. While the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was made: Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go you 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: Lest there may not be enough for us and you, go rather to those who sell, and buy for your selves. While they were going to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage supper; and the door was closed. Afterward the other virgins also came, and said: Lord! Lord! open for us. But he answered and said: Verily I say to you, I know you not. Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. For as a man, on leaving his country, called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods: To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one; to each one, according to his own ability, and immediately left his country. Then he that had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and made other five talents. In like manner also, he that had received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the one, went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled with them. And he that had received the five talents came and brought other five talents, and said: Lord, you delivered to me five talents: see, I have gained other five talents in addition to them. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many. Enter into the joy of your lord. And he also that had received the two talents came, and said: Lord, you delivered to me two talents; see, I have gained other two talents in addition to them. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many. Enter into the joy of your lord. But he that had received the one talent came, and said: Lord, I knew you, that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth; see, you have yours. His lord answered and said to him: Wicked and slothful servant; did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Therefore, you ought to have put my money with the bankers; and, when I came, I could have received my own with interest. Therefore, take from him the talent, and give it to him that has the ten talents. For to every one that has, it shall be given, and he shall have abundance. But from him that has not, even that which he has shall be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the darkness without. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The kingdom of heaven is like a king that made a marriage feast for his son; and sent his servants to call those who had been invited to the marriage feast; and they refused to 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 marriage feast. read more.
But they were careless, and went away, one to his farm, another to his merchandise. And the rest laid hold of his servants, and abused them, and killed them. And when that king heard of it, he was angry, and sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants: The marriage feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go, therefore, to the cross-ways, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find. And those servants went out into the roads, and brought together all, as many as they found, both bad and good: and the banquet-room was filled with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man that had not put on a wedding-robe. And he said to him, Friend, how came you in hither without a wedding-robe? And he was silent. Then the king said to his servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and throw him into the darkness without: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few chosen.

And he said to them: Is a lamp brought in that it may be put under the measure, or under the divan? Is it not brought that it may be put on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hid that shall not be made known; nor has any thing been concealed, but that it may come into open view. If any one has ears to hear, let him hear. read more.
And he said to them: Take heed how you hear; with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you; and to you that hear, more shall be given; for whoever has, to him shall be given; and whoever has not, even that which he has shall be taken from him. And he said: So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should sow seed in the ground, and should sleep and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knows not how. For the earth, of its own accord, produces fruit, first the blade; then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he sends forth the sickle, because the harvest is ready. And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or, by what similitude shall we illustrate it? It is like a grain of mustard, which, when it is sown in the ground, is less than all seeds that are in the ground; yet, when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes larger than all garden-plants, and sends out great branches, so that the birds of the air can roost under its shadow. 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 when alone, he explained all things to his disciples.

Then he said: To what is the kingdom of God like; and to what shall I liken it? It is like a grain of mustard, which a man took, and sowed in his garden; and it grew, and became a great tree; and the birds of the air roosted 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 flour, till the whole was leavened.


On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the sea. And many multitudes came together to him, so that he went into a ship and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying: Behold, the sower went out to sow. read more.
And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way: and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on stony places, where they had not much earth; and they immediately sprung up, because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up and choked them. Others fell upon good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundred, some fifty. some thirty. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came and said to him: "Why dost thou speak to them in parables? He answered, and said to them: Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given. For whoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but whoever has not, even that which he has shall be taken from him. For this reason I speak to them in parables; because when they see, they see not; and when they hear, they hear not, nor do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah, which says: You shall surely hear, and you will not understand; and you shall surely see, and you will not perceive. For the heart of this people has become fat; and with their ears they hear heavily; and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should turn to me, and I should give them health. But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say to you, Many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear. Hear you, therefore, the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, the wicked one comes and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he that received seed by the way side. He that received seed on the stony places is he that hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy. Yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while; and when affliction or persecution arises on account of the word, he immediately takes offense. He that received seed among the thorns, is he that hears the word; and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But he that received seed on the good ground, is he that hears the word and understands it; who also produces fruit, and yields, one a hundred; another, sixty; another, thirty. Another parable he laid before them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that 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 sprung up, and produced fruit, then appeared the tares also. And the servants of the master of the house came, and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Whence, then, has it tares? He said to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Is it your will, then, that we go and gather them up? But he said, No; lest while you are gathering the tares, you root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together till the harvest, and in time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Collect first the tares, and bind them into bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my granary. Another parable he laid before them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like- a grain of mustard, that a man took and sowed in his field. It is, indeed, the least of all seeds; but when it is grown it is the largest of garden-plants, and be comes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and roost in its branches. He spoke another parable to them: The kingdom of. heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, and without a parable he did not speak to them; that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus left the multitudes, and went into the house. And his disciples came to him and said: Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said to them: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; the tares are the sons of the Wicked One; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. As, therefore, the tares are collected and burned in fire, so shall it be in the end of this age. The Son of man will send forth his angels, and collect out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who work iniquity, and cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears to hear,- let him hear. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field, which, when a man finds it, he hides; and for the joy it gives, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly pearls. When he finds one pearl of great value, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that is cast into the sea, and that gathers of every kind: when it is full, they draw it to the shore; and sitting down, they collect the good into vessels, but throw the bad away. So shall it be in the end of the age: the angels shall come forth and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said to them: Have you understood all these things? They said to him: Yes, Lord. He said to them: Therefore, every scribe that is trained for the kingdom of heaven, is like the master of a house, who brings out of his treasury things new and old.

And he taught them many things in parables, and said to them in his teaching: Hear; Behold, the sower went forth to sow; and it came to pass, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside, and the birds came and ate it up. read more.
Other seed fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth: and it immediately sprung up, because it had no depth of earth. And when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no fruit. And other seed fell in the good ground, and produced fruit that grew up and increased, and produced, one thirty, one sixty, and one a hundred. And he said: He that has ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, those who were about him, with the twelve, asked him the meaning of the parable. And he said to them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are without, all things are done in parables; that they may surely see, and not perceive; and that they may surely hear, and not understand; lest they should turn to me, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he said to them: Do you not understand this parable? And how then will you understand all parables? The sower sows the word. These are they that received seed by the wayside, where the word is sown; and when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they that, in like manner, received seed in stony places: who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy: and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a time; afterward, when affliction or persecution arises on account of the word, they immediately take offense. And these are they that received seed among thorns; who hear the word, and the anxieties of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And these are they that received seed on the good ground; who hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred. And he said to them: Is a lamp brought in that it may be put under the measure, or under the divan? Is it not brought that it may be put on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hid that shall not be made known; nor has any thing been concealed, but that it may come into open view. If any one has ears to hear, let him hear. And he said to them: Take heed how you hear; with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you; and to you that hear, more shall be given; for whoever has, to him shall be given; and whoever has not, even that which he has shall be taken from him. And he said: So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should sow seed in the ground, and should sleep and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knows not how. For the earth, of its own accord, produces fruit, first the blade; then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he sends forth the sickle, because the harvest is ready. And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or, by what similitude shall we illustrate it? It is like a grain of mustard, which, when it is sown in the ground, is less than all seeds that are in the ground; yet, when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes larger than all garden-plants, and sends out great branches, so that the birds of the air can roost under its shadow. And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear.