Matthew 13
1
On the same day Jesus went out of the house a and sat by the sea.
2
b And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that c He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: d "Behold, a sower went out to sow.
4
"And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
5
"Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.
6
"But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
7
"And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.
8
"But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some e a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
9
f "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
10
And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"
11
He answered and said to them, "Because g it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12
h "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
13
"Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
14
"And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
i 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not j perceive;
15
For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears k are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have l closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should m heal them.'
16
"But n blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
17
"for assuredly, I say to you o that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
18
p "Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
19
"When anyone hears the word q of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20
"But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately r receives it with joy;
21
"yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when s tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately t he stumbles.
22
"Now u he who received seed v among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
23
"But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears w fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
24
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25
"but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
26
"But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27
"So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?'
28
"He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'
29
"But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30
'Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but x gather the wheat into my barn." ' "
31
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: y "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,
32
"which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a z tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."
33
a Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till b it was all leavened."
34
c All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,
35
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
d "I will open My mouth in parables;
e I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."
36
Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."
37
He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38
f "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are g the sons of the wicked one.
39
"The enemy who sowed them is the devil, h the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.
40
"Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.
41
"The Son of Man will send out His angels, i and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
42
j "and will cast them into the furnace of fire. k There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43
l "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. m He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
44
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and n sells all that he has and o buys that field.
45
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
46
"who, when he had found p one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
47
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and q gathered some of every kind,
48
"which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.
49
"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, r separate the wicked from among the just,
50
"and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
51
Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."
52
Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure s things new and old."
53
Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.
54
t When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?
55
u "Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And v His brothers w James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
56
"And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?"
57
So they x were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, y "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."
58
Now z He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
-
Cross References
Matthew 13:1 - 15
On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.
Mark 4:1 - 12
And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea.
Luke 8:4 - 10
And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable:
-
Cross References
Luke 8:4
And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable:
-
Cross References
Luke 5:3
Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
-
Cross References
Luke 8:5
A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it.
-
Cross References
Genesis 26:12
Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him.
Matthew 13:23
"But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
-
Cross References
Matthew 11:15
He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Mark 4:9
And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, ...
Revelation 2:7
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
Revelation 2:11
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
Revelation 2:17
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
Revelation 2:29
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
Revelation 3:6
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
Revelation 3:13
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
Revelation 3:22
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
-
Cross References
Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank ...
Matthew 16:17
Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are yo...
Mark 4:10
But when He was alone, those around Him with th...
Mark 4:11
And He said to them, "To you it has been given ...
John 6:65
And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that...
1 Corinthians 2:10
But God has revealed them to us through His Spi...
Colossians 1:27
To them God willed to make known what are the r...
1 John 2:20
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, an...
1 John 2:27
But the anointing which you have received from ...
-
Cross References
Matthew 25:29
For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
Mark 4:25
"For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
Luke 8:18
"Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."
Luke 19:26
For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
-
Cross References
Isaiah 6:9
And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep o...
Isaiah 6:10
"Make the heart of this people dull, And their ...
Ezekiel 12:2
Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebelli...
Mark 4:12
"so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive,...
Luke 8:10
And He said, "To you it has been given to know ...
John 12:40
"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their h...
Acts 28:26
Saying, 'Go to this people and say: "Hearing yo...
Acts 28:27
For the hearts of this people have grown dull. ...
Romans 11:8
Just as it is written: "God has given them a sp...
2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were blinded. For until this da...
2 Corinthians 3:15
But even to this day, when Moses is read, a vei...
-
Cross References
John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
-
Cross References
Psalms 119:70
Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law.
Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear.
2 Timothy 4:4
And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
Hebrews 5:11
Of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
-
Cross References
Luke 19:42
Saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
-
Cross References
Acts 28:26
Saying, 'Go to this people and say: "Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive.
Acts 28:27
For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.
-
Cross References
Proverbs 20:12
The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both.
Matthew 16:17
Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon BarJonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Luke 10:23
Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see.
Luke 10:24
"for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it."
John 20:29
Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
-
Cross References
John 8:56
"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."
Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
1 Peter 1:10
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you.
1 Peter 1:11
Searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
-
Cross References
Mark 4:13 - 20
And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
Luke 8:11 - 15
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
-
Cross References
Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
-
Cross References
Isaiah 58:2
Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God.
Ezekiel 33:31
So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.
Ezekiel 33:32
Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.
John 5:35
He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.
-
Cross References
Acts 14:22
Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.
-
Cross References
Matthew 11:6
"And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."
2 Timothy 1:15
This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
-
Cross References
Matthew 19:23
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:23
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!
Luke 18:24
And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!
1 Timothy 6:9
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
2 Timothy 4:10
For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica - Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
-
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:3
For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: "Break up your fallow ground, And do not sow among thorns.
-
Cross References
John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Philippians 1:11
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Colossians 1:6
Which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.
-
Cross References
Matthew 3:12
"His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
-
Cross References
Isaiah 2:2
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days Th...
Isaiah 2:3
Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let ...
Micah 4:1
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days Th...
Mark 4:30
Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingd...
Luke 13:18
Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like?...
Luke 13:19
"It is like a mustard seed, which a man took an...
-
Cross References
Psalms 104:12
By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches.
Ezekiel 17:22 - 24
Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain.
Ezekiel 31:3 - 9
Indeed Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, With fine branches that shaded the forest, And of high stature; And its top was among the thick boughs.
Daniel 4:12
Its leaves were lovely, Its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, And all flesh was fed from it.
-
Cross References
Luke 13:20
And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?
Luke 13:21
"It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."
-
Cross References
1 Corinthians 5:6
Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
Galatians 5:9
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
-
Cross References
Mark 4:33
And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.
Mark 4:34
But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
John 10:6
Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
John 16:25
These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
-
Cross References
Psalms 78:2
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old.
-
Cross References
Romans 16:25
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
Romans 16:26
But now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith -
1 Corinthians 2:7
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory.
Ephesians 3:9
And to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:26
The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
-
Cross References
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached...
Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nati...
Mark 16:15
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and...
Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins shoul...
Romans 10:18
But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: "Th...
Colossians 1:6
Which has come to you, as it has also in all th...
-
Cross References
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Acts 13:10
And said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?
-
Cross References
Joel 3:13
Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow - For their wickedness is great.
Revelation 14:15
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
-
Cross References
Matthew 18:7
Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
2 Peter 2:1
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:2
And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.
-
Cross References
Matthew 3:12
"His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
Revelation 19:20
Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Revelation 20:10
The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
-
Cross References
Matthew 8:12
"But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Matthew 13:50
"and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
-
Cross References
Daniel 12:3
Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
1 Corinthians 15:42
So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.
1 Corinthians 15:43
It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
-
Cross References
Matthew 13:9
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
-
Cross References
Philippians 3:7
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
Philippians 3:8
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
-
Cross References
Isaiah 55:1
Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.
Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
-
Cross References
Proverbs 2:4
If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures.
Proverbs 3:14
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
Proverbs 3:15
She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Proverbs 8:10
Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold.
Proverbs 8:19
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.
-
Cross References
Matthew 22:9
'Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.'
Matthew 22:10
So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
-
Cross References
Matthew 25:32
All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
-
Cross References
Song of Solomon 7:13
The mandrakes give off a fragrance, And at our gates are pleasant fruits, All manner, new and old, Which I have laid up for you, my beloved.
-
Cross References
Psalms 22:22
I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
Matthew 2:23
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene.
Mark 6:1
Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.
Luke 4:16
So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
John 7:15
And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?
-
Cross References
Isaiah 49:7
Thus says the LORD, The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, To Him whom man despises, To Him whom the nation abhors, To the Servant of rulers: "Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship, Because of the LORD who is faithful, The Holy One of Israel; And He has chosen You.
Mark 6:3
Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him.
Luke 3:23
Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli.
John 6:42
And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, 'I have come down from heaven' ?
-
Cross References
Matthew 12:46
While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.
-
Cross References
Mark 15:40
There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome.
-
Cross References
Matthew 11:6
"And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."
Mark 6:3
Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him.
Mark 6:4
But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.
-
Cross References
Luke 4:24
Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.
John 4:44
For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.
-
Cross References
Mark 6:5
Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
Mark 6:6
And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
John 5:44
How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?
John 5:46
For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
John 5:47
"But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.