Thematic Bible: What the kingdom of God is likened to
Thematic Bible
Kingdom of God » What the kingdom of God is likened to
And as they were hearkening to these things, he proceeded on, and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and they supposed that immediately the kingdom of God would openly appear. He said therefore, A certain man of noble family went into a distant region, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten manehs, and said unto them, Employ yourselves in traffic, till I come back. read more.
But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to rule over us. And it came to pass, at his return, after receiving the kingdom, that he ordered the servants to be called, to whom he had given the money, that he might know what every one had gained by his traffic. Then came the first, and said, Sir, thy maneh has gained ten manehs. And he said unto him, Well done, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in the least matter, hold thou dominion over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy maneh hath gained five manehs. Then said he also to this man, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Master, there is thy maneh, which I have kept wrapt up in a napkin: for I was afraid of thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up where thou hadst laid nothing down, and reapest where thou didst not sow. And he said to him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow; why then gavest thou not my money to the bank, so when I came I might have required it with interest? And he said to those who stood by, Take from him the maneh, and give it to him who hath the ten manehs. (And they say unto him, Sir, he hath ten manehs.) For I say unto you, That to every one who hath, shall more be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. But as for these enemies of mine, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me.
But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to rule over us. And it came to pass, at his return, after receiving the kingdom, that he ordered the servants to be called, to whom he had given the money, that he might know what every one had gained by his traffic. Then came the first, and said, Sir, thy maneh has gained ten manehs. And he said unto him, Well done, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in the least matter, hold thou dominion over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy maneh hath gained five manehs. Then said he also to this man, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Master, there is thy maneh, which I have kept wrapt up in a napkin: for I was afraid of thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up where thou hadst laid nothing down, and reapest where thou didst not sow. And he said to him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow; why then gavest thou not my money to the bank, so when I came I might have required it with interest? And he said to those who stood by, Take from him the maneh, and give it to him who hath the ten manehs. (And they say unto him, Sir, he hath ten manehs.) For I say unto you, That to every one who hath, shall more be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. But as for these enemies of mine, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me.
FOR the kingdom of heaven is like a man, the master of a family, who went out at break of day, to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers at a denarius a day, he sent them into the vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place unemployed. read more.
And he said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatever is equitable, I will give it you. So they went. Again going out, about the sixth and ninth hour, he did after the same manner. But about the eleventh hour, going out, he found others standing unemployed, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatever is equitable, ye shall receive. Now when the evening came, the master of the vineyard said to his overseer, Call the labourers, and give them their wages, beginning from the last to the first. And when they came, who began about the eleventh hour, they received each a denarius. But when the first came, they expected that they should receive more; and they also received every man a denarius. But when they received it, they murmured against the master of the family: saying, These last have wrought only a single hour, and thou hast put them on an equality with us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answering, said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no injustice; did I not agree with thee for a denarius? Take then thine own, and begone: I chuse to give to this last even as to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? Thus shall the last be first, and the first last; for many are called, but the elect are few.
And he said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatever is equitable, I will give it you. So they went. Again going out, about the sixth and ninth hour, he did after the same manner. But about the eleventh hour, going out, he found others standing unemployed, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatever is equitable, ye shall receive. Now when the evening came, the master of the vineyard said to his overseer, Call the labourers, and give them their wages, beginning from the last to the first. And when they came, who began about the eleventh hour, they received each a denarius. But when the first came, they expected that they should receive more; and they also received every man a denarius. But when they received it, they murmured against the master of the family: saying, These last have wrought only a single hour, and thou hast put them on an equality with us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answering, said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no injustice; did I not agree with thee for a denarius? Take then thine own, and begone: I chuse to give to this last even as to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? Thus shall the last be first, and the first last; for many are called, but the elect are few.
Another parable proposed he to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man who sowed good seed in his field: and while the men were asleep, his enemy came and sowed zizane among the wheat, and departed. But when the blade was shot up, and produced fruit, then appeared also the zizane. read more.
The servants of the proprietor came, and said to him, Master, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it the zizane? He saith unto them, Some man, an enemy, hath done this. Then the servants said to him, Wilt thou that we go and weed them out? he replied, No; lest perhaps in weeding out the zizane, we root up the wheat with them. Let them both grow together till the harvest: and at the harvest-time I will say to the reapers, Gather out first the zizane, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Another parable he proposed to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard, which a man took and sowed in his field: which indeed is among the smallest of all seeds; but when it is grown, it is among the greatest of herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make their nests in the branches of it. Another parable spake he to them: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and covered up in three measures of flour, until the whole was leavened. All these things spake Jesus in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable he spake not to them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, I will bring forth things hid from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus dismissing the multitudes, went into a house; and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the zizane of the field. And he replying said to them, He that sowed the good seed, is the Son of man; the field is the world: and the good seed are those who are the children of the kingdom; but the zizane are the children of the wicked one; the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the zizane are gathered, and burned in the fire; just so shall it be at the end of this world. The Son of man shall send out his angels, and shall gather together out of his kingdom all things offensive, and those who practise iniquity; and will cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field: which when a man findeth, he hideth, and for joy thereof, goeth away and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchantman in search of beautiful pearls: who, having discovered one of vast price, went away and sold all that he possessed, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and colleting fish of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to the beach, and sitting down, selected the good into baskets, but cast those of a bad kind away. Just so shall it be at the end of this world: the angels shall go forth, and shall separate the wicked from amidst the just, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yes, Lord. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man, the master of a family, who bringeth out of his storehouse things new and old.
The servants of the proprietor came, and said to him, Master, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it the zizane? He saith unto them, Some man, an enemy, hath done this. Then the servants said to him, Wilt thou that we go and weed them out? he replied, No; lest perhaps in weeding out the zizane, we root up the wheat with them. Let them both grow together till the harvest: and at the harvest-time I will say to the reapers, Gather out first the zizane, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Another parable he proposed to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard, which a man took and sowed in his field: which indeed is among the smallest of all seeds; but when it is grown, it is among the greatest of herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make their nests in the branches of it. Another parable spake he to them: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and covered up in three measures of flour, until the whole was leavened. All these things spake Jesus in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable he spake not to them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, I will bring forth things hid from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus dismissing the multitudes, went into a house; and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the zizane of the field. And he replying said to them, He that sowed the good seed, is the Son of man; the field is the world: and the good seed are those who are the children of the kingdom; but the zizane are the children of the wicked one; the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the zizane are gathered, and burned in the fire; just so shall it be at the end of this world. The Son of man shall send out his angels, and shall gather together out of his kingdom all things offensive, and those who practise iniquity; and will cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field: which when a man findeth, he hideth, and for joy thereof, goeth away and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchantman in search of beautiful pearls: who, having discovered one of vast price, went away and sold all that he possessed, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and colleting fish of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to the beach, and sitting down, selected the good into baskets, but cast those of a bad kind away. Just so shall it be at the end of this world: the angels shall go forth, and shall separate the wicked from amidst the just, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yes, Lord. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man, the master of a family, who bringeth out of his storehouse things new and old.
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven like unto a certain king who purposed to settle his account with his servants. And when he began to make up the account, there was brought to him one debtor, ten thousand talents in arrear: but not having wherewithal to pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, and his wife and his children, and all things whatsoever he possessed, and payment to be made. read more.
Then that servant falling prostrate, paid him the most profound homage, saying, Lord, have forbearance with me, and I will pay thee all. Then his lord, moved with compassion towards that servant, discharged him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant going out, found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing, throttled him, saying, Pay me what thou owest. Then his fellow-servant fell at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have forbearance with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay what he owed. Then his fellow-servants, when they saw what was done, were exceedingly sorry, and came to their lord, and gave him an explicit account of all things that had passed. Then his lord, calling him before him, said to him, Thou vile slave! all that debt I forgave thee, because thou besoughtest me: and oughtest thou not to have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord, incensed, delivered him up to the torturers, till he should pay all that he owed him. Even so also will my heavenly Father do to you, except ye forgive every one of you his brother, from your hearts, their trespasses.
Then that servant falling prostrate, paid him the most profound homage, saying, Lord, have forbearance with me, and I will pay thee all. Then his lord, moved with compassion towards that servant, discharged him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant going out, found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing, throttled him, saying, Pay me what thou owest. Then his fellow-servant fell at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have forbearance with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay what he owed. Then his fellow-servants, when they saw what was done, were exceedingly sorry, and came to their lord, and gave him an explicit account of all things that had passed. Then his lord, calling him before him, said to him, Thou vile slave! all that debt I forgave thee, because thou besoughtest me: and oughtest thou not to have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord, incensed, delivered him up to the torturers, till he should pay all that he owed him. Even so also will my heavenly Father do to you, except ye forgive every one of you his brother, from your hearts, their trespasses.
Then one of those who sat at table hearing these things, said to him, Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. And he said unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and invited many: and sent his servants at supper-time to say to the invited, Come; for all things are now ready. read more.
And they all began with one voice to frame excuses. The first said to him, I have bought a field, and I must of necessity go and survey it: I pray thee hold me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am going to make a trial of them: I pray thee accept my excuse. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. And that servant returning, informed his master of these things. Then the master of the family, being highly incensed, said to his servant, Go out instantly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Sir, it is done as thou orderedst, and yet there is room. And the master said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and urge them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That not one man of those who were invited shall taste of my supper.
And they all began with one voice to frame excuses. The first said to him, I have bought a field, and I must of necessity go and survey it: I pray thee hold me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am going to make a trial of them: I pray thee accept my excuse. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. And that servant returning, informed his master of these things. Then the master of the family, being highly incensed, said to his servant, Go out instantly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Sir, it is done as thou orderedst, and yet there is room. And the master said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and urge them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That not one man of those who were invited shall taste of my supper.
THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom. But five of them were provident, and five foolish. Those who were taking their lamps, took no oil with them: read more.
but the provident took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But as the bridegroom stayed long, they all slumbered and slept. Then at midnight the cry came, Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go forth to meet him. Then all these virgins arose, and set about trimming their lamps. And the foolish said to the provident, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the provident replied, saying, No; lest there be not a sufficiency for us and you: but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. But while they were gone away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they who were prepared went in with him to the marriage-feast: and the door was shut. Then came afterwards the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he answering said, Verily, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of man cometh. For the case is like that of a man, who travelling abroad, called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several capacity; and immediately went abroad. He then who had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and acquired five other talents. In the same manner also he that had the two, gained also himself two others. But he that had received the one talent, went and digged a hole in the ground, and hid the silver of his master. Then after a long absence the master of these servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. And he who had received the five talents, coming to him, brought five other talents, saying, Sir, thou deliveredst to me five talents: I have gained to them five other talents. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many: enter into the joy of thy master. Then came also he that had received the two talents: and said, Sir, thou deliveredst to me two talents: lo! I have gained to them two other talents. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many: enter thou into thy master's joy. Then came also he that had received the one talent, and said, Sir, knowing thee, that thou art a severe man, reaping where thou hast not sowed, and gathering from whence thou hast not scattered: and being afraid, I went and hid thy talent in the ground: see here, thou hast thine own. Then his master answering said to him, Thou wicked and idle slave, thou knewest that I reap whence I had not sown, and gather where I had not scattered: thou oughtest then to have placed my money with the bankers, so when I came I should have received my own with interest. Take therefore from him the talent, and give it to him that hath the ten talents. For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
but the provident took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But as the bridegroom stayed long, they all slumbered and slept. Then at midnight the cry came, Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go forth to meet him. Then all these virgins arose, and set about trimming their lamps. And the foolish said to the provident, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the provident replied, saying, No; lest there be not a sufficiency for us and you: but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. But while they were gone away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they who were prepared went in with him to the marriage-feast: and the door was shut. Then came afterwards the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he answering said, Verily, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of man cometh. For the case is like that of a man, who travelling abroad, called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several capacity; and immediately went abroad. He then who had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and acquired five other talents. In the same manner also he that had the two, gained also himself two others. But he that had received the one talent, went and digged a hole in the ground, and hid the silver of his master. Then after a long absence the master of these servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. And he who had received the five talents, coming to him, brought five other talents, saying, Sir, thou deliveredst to me five talents: I have gained to them five other talents. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many: enter into the joy of thy master. Then came also he that had received the two talents: and said, Sir, thou deliveredst to me two talents: lo! I have gained to them two other talents. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many: enter thou into thy master's joy. Then came also he that had received the one talent, and said, Sir, knowing thee, that thou art a severe man, reaping where thou hast not sowed, and gathering from whence thou hast not scattered: and being afraid, I went and hid thy talent in the ground: see here, thou hast thine own. Then his master answering said to him, Thou wicked and idle slave, thou knewest that I reap whence I had not sown, and gather where I had not scattered: thou oughtest then to have placed my money with the bankers, so when I came I should have received my own with interest. Take therefore from him the talent, and give it to him that hath the ten talents. For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The kingdom of heaven is like to a certain king, who made a marriage-feast for his son: and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the entertainment: 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 the fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage-feast. read more.
But they gave themselves no concern about it, and went their several ways, one to his own farm, and another to his traffick: And the rest seizing his servants, insulted and slew them. Then the king, when he heard it, was incensed: and sending out his armies, destroyed these murderers, and burnt down their city. Then he said to his servants, The wedding entertainment indeed is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy: go therefore into the thoroughfares of the roads, and as many as ye find, invite to the banquet. So these servants going out into the roads, collected all, as many as they found, both bad and good; and the wedding feast was fully furnished with guests. Then the king coming in to look around on the guests, saw there a man who had not put on the wedding garment: and he saith to him, Friend, how came thou in here, not having the garment provided for the marriage feast? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind his feet and hands, and take him away, and cast him into the darkness, which is without; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few elect.
But they gave themselves no concern about it, and went their several ways, one to his own farm, and another to his traffick: And the rest seizing his servants, insulted and slew them. Then the king, when he heard it, was incensed: and sending out his armies, destroyed these murderers, and burnt down their city. Then he said to his servants, The wedding entertainment indeed is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy: go therefore into the thoroughfares of the roads, and as many as ye find, invite to the banquet. So these servants going out into the roads, collected all, as many as they found, both bad and good; and the wedding feast was fully furnished with guests. Then the king coming in to look around on the guests, saw there a man who had not put on the wedding garment: and he saith to him, Friend, how came thou in here, not having the garment provided for the marriage feast? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind his feet and hands, and take him away, and cast him into the darkness, which is without; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few elect.
And he said unto them, Is a lamp brought out to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not to be placed on a stand? For there is nothing hid, but that it should be brought to light, nor is any thing concealed, but that it should come into open day. If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear. read more.
And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with the measure ye mete, shall it be measured back to you; and something over shall be given to you that hear. For to him that hath, there shall more be given to him; but he that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. And he said, The kingdom of heaven is of that kind, as if a man should cast seed into his field; and sleep and rise, night and day, and the sown corn should sprout, and grow into length, he knoweth not how: for the earth, naturally prolific, beareth fruit; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. But when the grain is ready, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because harvest is come. And he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God, and under what parabolic figure shall I represent it? It is like a grain of mustard, which when it is sown in the earth, is among the least of all the seeds which are upon the earth: but when it is sown, it groweth up and becomes greater than all herbaceous plants, and produceth vast branches; so that the birds of the air may roost under the shadow of it. And with many such like parables spake he to them the word. And without a parable spake he not unto them; but in private he explained them all to his disciples.
And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with the measure ye mete, shall it be measured back to you; and something over shall be given to you that hear. For to him that hath, there shall more be given to him; but he that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. And he said, The kingdom of heaven is of that kind, as if a man should cast seed into his field; and sleep and rise, night and day, and the sown corn should sprout, and grow into length, he knoweth not how: for the earth, naturally prolific, beareth fruit; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. But when the grain is ready, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because harvest is come. And he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God, and under what parabolic figure shall I represent it? It is like a grain of mustard, which when it is sown in the earth, is among the least of all the seeds which are upon the earth: but when it is sown, it groweth up and becomes greater than all herbaceous plants, and produceth vast branches; so that the birds of the air may roost under the shadow of it. And with many such like parables spake he to them the word. And without a parable spake he not unto them; but in private he explained them all to his disciples.
Then said he, To what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard, which a man took and put into his garden; and it grew, and became a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged on its branches. And again he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? read more.
It is like leaven, which a woman taking, covered up in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
It is like leaven, which a woman taking, covered up in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.