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 listened to these things, He proceeded and spake a parable; because He was nigh to Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately be manifested. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a distant country to receive the investiture of a kingdom and then to return. And he called ten of his servants, and delivered to them ten pounds, and said, Trade with them 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 when he was returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to be called to him, to whom he had delivered the money, that he might know what use each had made of it. Then came the first and said, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him, Well done, thou good servant, as thou hast been faithful in a very little, thou shalt be governor over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath produced five pounds: and he said to this likewise, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, and said, Behold, my Lord, thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: for I was afraid of thee, because thou art an austere man, who takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow. But he said to him, Out of thy 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; and why then didst thou not put my money into the bank, that when I came I might have received it with interest? And he said to them that stood by, Take away the pound from him, and give it to him that hath the ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds already:) for I tell you, that to every one that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even what he seemingly hath shall be taken away. But those mine enemies, who would not have me to reign over them, bring 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 reign over us. And when he was returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to be called to him, to whom he had delivered the money, that he might know what use each had made of it. Then came the first and said, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him, Well done, thou good servant, as thou hast been faithful in a very little, thou shalt be governor over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath produced five pounds: and he said to this likewise, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, and said, Behold, my Lord, thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: for I was afraid of thee, because thou art an austere man, who takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow. But he said to him, Out of thy 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; and why then didst thou not put my money into the bank, that when I came I might have received it with interest? And he said to them that stood by, Take away the pound from him, and give it to him that hath the ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds already:) for I tell you, that to every one that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even what he seemingly hath shall be taken away. But those mine enemies, who would not have me to reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
For the gospel-kingdom is like the master of a family, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard: and agreeing with the men for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard: and going out about the third hour he saw others standing in the market-place doing nothing, read more.
and said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and what is reasonable I will give you: so they went. And going out again about the sixth and ninth hour he did in like manner. And going out about the eleventh hour, he found others standing without work, and saith to them, Why stand ye here all the day doing nothing? They say unto him, because no one hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatever is reasonable ye shall receive. Now when evening was come, the owner of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the work-men and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every one a penny: but when the first came, they thought that they should receive more; and they also received every one a penny. And after they had received it they murmured against the master of the house, saying, These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, who have borne the burthen and heat of the day. But he answered, and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take what is thine, and be gone: it is my pleasure to give to this last as I do to thee; and may I not do what I will with my own? Is thine eye evil because I am good? Thus the last shall be first, and the first last; for there are many called, but few chosen.
and said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and what is reasonable I will give you: so they went. And going out again about the sixth and ninth hour he did in like manner. And going out about the eleventh hour, he found others standing without work, and saith to them, Why stand ye here all the day doing nothing? They say unto him, because no one hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatever is reasonable ye shall receive. Now when evening was come, the owner of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the work-men and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every one a penny: but when the first came, they thought that they should receive more; and they also received every one a penny. And after they had received it they murmured against the master of the house, saying, These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, who have borne the burthen and heat of the day. But he answered, and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take what is thine, and be gone: it is my pleasure to give to this last as I do to thee; and may I not do what I will with my own? Is thine eye evil because I am good? Thus the last shall be first, and the first last; for there are many called, but few chosen.
Another parable propounded He unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man, who sowed good grain in his ground: but while men were asleep, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. Now when the blade shot forth, and produced the corn, then the tares also appeared. read more.
So the servants came to their master, and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? whence then are the tares? And he said unto them, Some enemy hath done this. The servants therefore said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, No: least in plucking up the tares ye root up the corn along with them. Let both grow together till harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, First gather the weeds together, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but carry the wheat into my barn. Another parable delivered He unto them, saying, The gospel-kingdom is like a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which is indeed one of the lest of all seeds: but when it is grown, is the greatest among herbs, and even becometh a tree; so that the birds of the air come and lodge in it's branches. Another parable spake He unto them, saying, The gospel-kingdom is like leaven, which a woman took and put into a large quantity of dough, till the whole was leavened. All these things spake Jesus in parables to the multitudes; and at this time He spake nothing to them without a parable: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, I will publish things which have been concealed from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus leaving the multitude went into the house; and his disciples came to Him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field: and He answered them, and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of my kingdom; and the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered together, and burnt in the fire; so shall it be in the end of the world: the Son of man will send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all that commit offences, and those who do iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. But the righteous shall then 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 treasure hid in a field, which a man having found conceals, and being rejoiced at it goes and sells all that he has, and purchases that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking precious pearls, who, having found one of great value, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, that was cast into the sea, and inclosed fishes of various sorts; which, when it was full, they dragged to the shore, and sat down and gathered the good into vessels, and threw out the bad. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous; and shall cast them into the fiery furnace, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then saith Jesus unto them, Did ye understand all these? they say unto Him, Yes, Lord: and He said unto them, Therefore every teacher, who has been thus instructed in the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven, is like a master of a family, who brings forth out of his store things new and old.
So the servants came to their master, and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? whence then are the tares? And he said unto them, Some enemy hath done this. The servants therefore said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, No: least in plucking up the tares ye root up the corn along with them. Let both grow together till harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, First gather the weeds together, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but carry the wheat into my barn. Another parable delivered He unto them, saying, The gospel-kingdom is like a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which is indeed one of the lest of all seeds: but when it is grown, is the greatest among herbs, and even becometh a tree; so that the birds of the air come and lodge in it's branches. Another parable spake He unto them, saying, The gospel-kingdom is like leaven, which a woman took and put into a large quantity of dough, till the whole was leavened. All these things spake Jesus in parables to the multitudes; and at this time He spake nothing to them without a parable: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, I will publish things which have been concealed from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus leaving the multitude went into the house; and his disciples came to Him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field: and He answered them, and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of my kingdom; and the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered together, and burnt in the fire; so shall it be in the end of the world: the Son of man will send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all that commit offences, and those who do iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. But the righteous shall then 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 treasure hid in a field, which a man having found conceals, and being rejoiced at it goes and sells all that he has, and purchases that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking precious pearls, who, having found one of great value, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, that was cast into the sea, and inclosed fishes of various sorts; which, when it was full, they dragged to the shore, and sat down and gathered the good into vessels, and threw out the bad. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous; and shall cast them into the fiery furnace, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then saith Jesus unto them, Did ye understand all these? they say unto Him, Yes, Lord: and He said unto them, Therefore every teacher, who has been thus instructed in the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven, is like a master of a family, who brings forth out of his store things new and old.
And therefore the gospel-kingdom is like unto a king, who had a mind to settle accounts with his servants: and when he began to reckon, there was brought to him one, who was debtor in ten thousand talents: and not having it to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had; and payment to be made. read more.
The servant therefore fell prostrate before him, saying, Lord, bear with me a while, and I will pay thee all: and his lord had compassion on him, and discharged him, and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he was going out, met with one of his fellow-servants, who owed him but an hundred pence; and he laid hold on him and seized him by the throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest me: and his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and intreated him, saying, Bear with me a while, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went away and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. Now when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very much grieved, and came and acquainted their lord with all that had passed. Then his lord called for him again, and said to him, Thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all that vast debt at thy request, and oughtest not thou to have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had on thee? And his lord being highly provoked delivered him to the officers, till he should pay all that was owing to him. Thus will my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts their trespasses.
The servant therefore fell prostrate before him, saying, Lord, bear with me a while, and I will pay thee all: and his lord had compassion on him, and discharged him, and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he was going out, met with one of his fellow-servants, who owed him but an hundred pence; and he laid hold on him and seized him by the throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest me: and his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and intreated him, saying, Bear with me a while, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went away and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. Now when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very much grieved, and came and acquainted their lord with all that had passed. Then his lord called for him again, and said to him, Thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all that vast debt at thy request, and oughtest not thou to have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had on thee? And his lord being highly provoked delivered him to the officers, till he should pay all that was owing to him. Thus will my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts their trespasses.
And one of those; who sat at table with Him, hearing these things, said unto Him, Happy is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Upon which He said, A certain man made a great supper and invited many; and sent his servant at supper-time to say to them that were invited, Come, for all things are now ready. read more.
And they all with one consent began to make excuses; the first said, I have bought a field, and I must go and see it, pray have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am going to try them, pray have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So the servant came and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go directly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the lame, and the blind. And the servant said, Sir, it is done according to thine order, and still there is room. And the lord said to the servant, Go out into the high-ways and hedges, and press them to come in, that my house may be filled: for I tell you, that none of those men who were invited, shall taste of my supper.
And they all with one consent began to make excuses; the first said, I have bought a field, and I must go and see it, pray have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am going to try them, pray have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So the servant came and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go directly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the lame, and the blind. And the servant said, Sir, it is done according to thine order, and still there is room. And the lord said to the servant, Go out into the high-ways and hedges, and press them to come in, that my house may be filled: for I tell you, that none of those men who were invited, shall taste of my supper.
Then will the kingdom of heaven be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom: and five of them were wise, and five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps, and took no oil with them: read more.
but the wise took oil in their vessels as well as in their lamps. Now while the bridegroom stayed, they were all drowsy and fell asleep: and in the middle of the night there was a cry, The bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him. Then all the virgins rose up and trimmed their lamps: and the foolish ones said to the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are going out: but the wise answered them, saying, Least there should not be enough for us and you, go rather to them that sell it, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the wedding-feast, and then the door was shut. Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us: but he answered them, Verily I declare unto you, I do not know you. Watch therefore, for ye know not the day, nor the season in which the Son of man cometh. For as a man, who was going to travel abroad, called his servants, and delivered to them his stock: and to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to each according to his ability: and then he took his journey. Now he that had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and gained other five talents: and likewise he that had the two, he also gained two more: but he who had received the one, went and digged in the earth, and hid his master's money: and after some time the lord of those servants cometh and settleth his account with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought to him five talents more, saying, Sir, thou deliveredst to me five talents, behold I have gained other five talents to them: and his lord said to him, Well done, my good and trusty servant, thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will set thee over many, enter into thy master's joy. And he also who had received the two talents came to him and said, Lord, thou deliveredst to me two talents, behold I have gained two other talents with them: his lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will set thee over many, enter into the joy of thy lord. And he also who received the one talent came to him and said, Sir, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou sowedst not, and gathering where thou hast not strewed; and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the ground; behold, there is thine own: but his lord answered and said to him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed; thou oughtest then to have put my money to the bankers, and when I came I should have received my own with interest. Take ye therefore the talent from him, 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 what he hath, or seemeth to have, shall be taken away:) and cast out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
but the wise took oil in their vessels as well as in their lamps. Now while the bridegroom stayed, they were all drowsy and fell asleep: and in the middle of the night there was a cry, The bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him. Then all the virgins rose up and trimmed their lamps: and the foolish ones said to the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are going out: but the wise answered them, saying, Least there should not be enough for us and you, go rather to them that sell it, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the wedding-feast, and then the door was shut. Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us: but he answered them, Verily I declare unto you, I do not know you. Watch therefore, for ye know not the day, nor the season in which the Son of man cometh. For as a man, who was going to travel abroad, called his servants, and delivered to them his stock: and to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to each according to his ability: and then he took his journey. Now he that had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and gained other five talents: and likewise he that had the two, he also gained two more: but he who had received the one, went and digged in the earth, and hid his master's money: and after some time the lord of those servants cometh and settleth his account with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought to him five talents more, saying, Sir, thou deliveredst to me five talents, behold I have gained other five talents to them: and his lord said to him, Well done, my good and trusty servant, thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will set thee over many, enter into thy master's joy. And he also who had received the two talents came to him and said, Lord, thou deliveredst to me two talents, behold I have gained two other talents with them: his lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will set thee over many, enter into the joy of thy lord. And he also who received the one talent came to him and said, Sir, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou sowedst not, and gathering where thou hast not strewed; and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the ground; behold, there is thine own: but his lord answered and said to him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed; thou oughtest then to have put my money to the bankers, and when I came I should have received my own with interest. Take ye therefore the talent from him, 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 what he hath, or seemeth to have, shall be taken away:) and cast out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who made a wedding-feast for his son; and sent his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: and they would not come. Then he sent other servants, saying, Tell them that are invited, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding. read more.
But they slighted him, and went away, one to his field and another to his merchandize: and others seized his servants, and shamefully abused them, and slew them. And when the king heard of it, he was highly provoked, and sent his troops, and destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. Then saith he to his servants, The feast is ready, but they that were invited were not worthy of it: go therefore into the public streets, and as many as ye meet with invite to the wedding. And those servants went out into the high-ways, and brought in all they met with, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man that had not put on a wedding-garment, and saith to him, Friend, how camest thou in here without a wedding-garment? and he was struck speechless. Then said the king to his attendants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him up, and throw him out into the darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of the teeth: for there are many called, but few approved.
But they slighted him, and went away, one to his field and another to his merchandize: and others seized his servants, and shamefully abused them, and slew them. And when the king heard of it, he was highly provoked, and sent his troops, and destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. Then saith he to his servants, The feast is ready, but they that were invited were not worthy of it: go therefore into the public streets, and as many as ye meet with invite to the wedding. And those servants went out into the high-ways, and brought in all they met with, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man that had not put on a wedding-garment, and saith to him, Friend, how camest thou in here without a wedding-garment? and he was struck speechless. Then said the king to his attendants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him up, and throw him out into the darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of the teeth: for there are many called, but few approved.
And He said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or a bed, and not to be set on a candlestick? for there is nothing hidden, which may not be revealed; nor was there any thing concealed, but in order to become manifest. If any one hath ears to hear, let him hear. read more.
And mind what ye hear: for with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you; and more shall be imparted to you that are observant: for whosoever hath, to him more shall be given; and he that hath not, even what he hath, or seemeth to have, shall be taken from him. And He said, The kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed into the ground, and sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up, and increase; he knows not how. For the earth produces fruit of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear: but when the fruit is ripe, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come. And He said, To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or by what similitude shall we represent it? It is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which when it is sown in the ground, is one of the lest of all the seeds on the earth: but after it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the air may lodge under it's shadow. And in many such parables spake He the word to them, as they had ability to hear it: but spake not to them without a parable. And He explained all to his disciples in private.
And mind what ye hear: for with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you; and more shall be imparted to you that are observant: for whosoever hath, to him more shall be given; and he that hath not, even what he hath, or seemeth to have, shall be taken from him. And He said, The kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed into the ground, and sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up, and increase; he knows not how. For the earth produces fruit of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear: but when the fruit is ripe, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come. And He said, To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or by what similitude shall we represent it? It is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which when it is sown in the ground, is one of the lest of all the seeds on the earth: but after it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the air may lodge under it's shadow. And in many such parables spake He the word to them, as they had ability to hear it: but spake not to them without a parable. And He explained all to his disciples in private.
Then said He, To what is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew, and became a great tree, and the birds of the air lodged in it's boughs. And again He said, To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? read more.
It is like leaven, which a woman took and put into three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
It is like leaven, which a woman took and put into three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.