Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven," he said, "is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; "but while men were asleep his enemy came and sowed tares among his wheat and went away. "And when the blade shot up and formed the wheat-kernel, then the tares also appeared. read more.
"The slaves of the owner went to him and said: "'Was it not good seed, sir, that you sowed in your field? From whence then, do you get tares?' "'It is an enemy who has done this,' he answered. "The slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and collect them?' "'No,' he answered, 'for fear lest while you are collecting the tares, you at the same time pull up the wheat. "Let both grow together until harvest, and at harvest-time I will tell the reapers to first gather the tares and tie them in bundles for burning, but to bring all the wheat into my store-house.'" He set forth to them another parable, saying. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard-seed which a man took and planted in his field. "This is indeed the smallest of seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than any herb, and becomes a tree, so that the winged things of the sky come and roost in its branches." He told them another parable. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until the whole was leavened." Jesus told all this to the crowd in parables; indeed he never spoke to them except in parables, in fulfilment of the word spoken by the prophet, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things kept secret since the foundation of the world." After he had sent the people away and gone into the house, his disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable about the weeds in the field." "The sower of the seed," he answered, "is the Son of man; "the field is the world; the good seed is the sons of the kingdom; the weeds, the sons of the Evil One. "The enemy who sows the weeds is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are the angels. "Just as the weeds are collected together and burnt with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. "The son of man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all hindrances, and whoever practices iniquity, "and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "And then shall the just shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears to hear, listen! "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in the ground, which a man finds but buries again, and then in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that land. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of beautiful pearls. "When he finds one of great price, he goes and sells everything he has and buys it. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. "When it was full they hauled it upon the beach, and sat down and sorted the good fish into baskets, but threw the worthless fish away. "So will it be at the end of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous, and fling them into the furnace of fire. "There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "Have you understood all this?" he asked. "We have," they answered him. "Then," said he, "every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his storehouse new things and old." After Jesus had finished these parables, he withdrew from that place,

"It is with the kingdom of God," he continued, "as if a man should have sown seed in the earth; night and day he sleeps and wakes while the seed is sprouting and growing tall, he knows not how. Of its own accord the earth bears its crops; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. read more.
Then as soon as the crop is ready the man has the sickle put in at once, because harvest-time is come. "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God?" he said again. "in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a mustard-seed, which, when sown in the soil, is the smallest seed in the world; yet when sown shoots up and becomes larger than any plant, sending out such branches that the wild birds build their nests under its shadow." With many such illustrations Jesus used to tell his message to people as far as they were able to receive it; and to them it was his practice never to speak except in parables. But he used to explain everything in private to his disciples.

After Jesus had finished these parables, he withdrew from that place, and came into his own country, where he continued teaching the people in their synagogues, until they were amazed. "Where did he get such wisdom?" they said, "and such wondrous powers? "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? read more.
"Are not his sisters all living among us? Where, then, did he get all these powers?" This kept them from believing in him. Wherefore Jesus said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and among his own family." And he did no mighty works there, because of their lack of faith.

Jesus left that place, and accompanied by his disciples, came into his own part of the country. When it came Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; many, as they listened, were deeply impressed. "Where did he get all this?" they asked; "What is the wisdom that is given to this man, and miracles such as these that happen at his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" read more.
So they disapproved of him. Then Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native land and among his relatives and in his home." And he was unable to do any miracle there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick folk and healed them. And he wondered at their lack of faith. So he went among the neighboring villages, teaching.