The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1–9; Luke 8:4–8)
1 UST That same day, Jesus left the house{ where he had been teaching}. He{ walked to the Sea of Galilee and} sat down{ to teach} next to it. BSB BSB: That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.
2 UST Then large groups of people came to where Jesus was. Because{ there were so many people}, he got into a boat and sat down there{ to teach}. All the people stood on the shore{ of the Sea of Galilee to listen to him}. BSB BSB: Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while all the people stood on the shore.
3 UST Jesus began to use stories to instruct them about many things. He said,“Listen to this: a farmer began to plant some grain seeds. BSB BSB: And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
4 UST As he was scattering them over the soil, some of the seeds fell on the path. Then some birds flew down and ate those seeds up. BSB BSB: And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.
5 UST Other seeds fell on shallow soil on top of a layer of rocks. Because they were growing in shallow soil, the seeds sprouted very quickly. BSB BSB: Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.
6 UST However, the sun shone on the new plants and dried them up. Then, because they did not have good roots, the plants died. BSB BSB: But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
7 UST Other seeds fell onto an area full of thorny plants. These thorny plants grew quickly and crowded out the grain plants. BSB BSB: Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings.
8 UST Finally, other seeds fell on fertile soil.{ They sprouted,} and the plants produced a crop. Some plants produced 100{ grains of wheat each}, others produced 60{ grains each}, and others produced 30{ grains each}. BSB BSB: Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.
9 UST You should think carefully about what you just heard me say!” BSB BSB: He who has ears, let him hear.”
The Purpose of Jesus’ Parables (Isaiah 6:1–13; Mark 4:10–12; Luke 8:9–10)
10 UST Then, the apprentices came to Jesus and asked him,“Why do you use stories to instruct these people?” BSB BSB: Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?”
11 UST Jesus replied,“God has revealed to you hidden things about his heavenly kingdom. However, he has not revealed{ those things} to these people. BSB BSB: He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
12 UST { I say that} because God will reveal even more to people who already know some things{ about God’ s heavenly kingdom}. They will know many things. In contrast, God will cause people who know very little{ about God’ s heavenly kingdom} to know nothing about it at all. BSB BSB: Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
13 UST I use stories to instruct these people because they can look at things, but they do not really see them. They can hear what people say, but they do not really listen to it or learn from it. BSB BSB: This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’
14 UST What God said by speaking through the prophet Isaiah has come true for them:‘You will hear things, but you will not learn from them. You will look at things, but you will not really see them. BSB BSB: In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 UST { These people do not understand} because they have become stubborn; their ears are almost deaf; and they have closed their eyes because they do not want to see. They do not want to listen or try to understand, for then they would come back to me, and I would welcome and forgive them.’ BSB BSB: For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 UST However, it is very good for you, because you really see.{ It is very good} for you, because you really listen. BSB BSB: But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
17 UST Indeed, many people who spoke for God and other people who did what was right would have wanted to see the things that you are seeing me do. But they did not get to see them{, because they lived long ago}. They would have wanted to hear the things that I have said to you. But they did not get to hear them{, because they lived long ago}. What I have said is true. BSB BSB: For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
The Parable of the Sower Explained (Mark 4:13–20; Luke 8:11–15)
18 UST So then, listen to{ me explain} the story about the farmer who planted grain seeds. BSB BSB: Consider, then, the parable of the sower:
19 UST Some people hear the message about God’ s kingdom, but they do not learn from it. Then Satan comes and takes the message they heard away from their minds. These people are like the seeds that fell on the path. BSB BSB: When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
20 UST Other people are like the seeds that fell on shallow soil on top of a layer of rocks. When they hear the message{ about God’ s kingdom}, they rejoice and quickly believe it. BSB BSB: The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
21 UST However, they are like plants without good roots, which do not live very long. In fact, when bad things happen or when people hurt them because they accepted the message{ about God’ s kingdom}, they quickly stop believing it. BSB BSB: But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
22 UST Other people are like the seeds that fell onto an area full of thorny plants. After they hear the message{ about God’ s kingdom}, they continue to focus on things in this world and on becoming rich, even though being rich is not as helpful as they think it will be. Focusing on these things makes the message ineffective, just as thorny plants crowd out the good plants and keep them from producing a crop. BSB BSB: The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
23 UST Other people are like the seeds that fell on fertile soil. When they hear the message{ about God’ s kingdom}, they learn from it. They are like the plants that produced a crop. Some plants produced 100{ grains of wheat each}, others produced 60{ grains each}, and others produced 30{ grains each}.” BSB BSB: But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”
The Parable of the Weeds (Ezekiel 17:1–10)
25 UST However, as the farmer and his workers were asleep, someone who hated the farmer went into the field and planted weed seeds among the grain seeds. Then, he left{ before the farmer and his workers woke up}. BSB BSB: But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away.
26 UST Some time later, the wheat plants sprouted and began to produce grain. At the same time, the weed plants also{ sprouted, and the workers} noticed them. BSB BSB: When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared.
27 UST So, the workers reported this to the farmer. They said,‘Sir, we know that you planted fertile seeds in your field. However, weed plants are growing there!’ BSB BSB: The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28 UST The farmer replied,‘A person who hates me planted these weed plants.’ Then his servants asked him,‘Do you want us to go{ to the field} and remove all the weeds plants?’ BSB BSB: ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. So the servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 UST He answered,‘Do not do that. If you did, you might remove some of the wheat plants while you were removing the weed plants, since they are growing together. BSB BSB: ‘No,’ he said, ‘if you pull the weeds now, you might uproot the wheat with them.
30 UST Allow the wheat and weed plants to grow in the field together until we begin to harvest them. Then, I will command the people who are harvesting,“Pull up the weed plants first. Collect them in groups and burn them. After that, harvest the wheat plants and store the grain in my storehouse.”’” BSB BSB: Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30–34; Luke 13:18–19)
31 UST Then Jesus told the people another story. He said,“Here is what God’ s heavenly kingdom is like: a man plants a tiny mustard seed in his field. BSB BSB: He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field.
32 UST This kind of seed is smaller than other kinds of seeds. However, after it sprouts, the plant becomes a tree that is bigger than other plants that people grow. In fact, birds land on its branches and make nests there.” BSB BSB: Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
The Parable of the Leaven (Luke 13:20–21)
33 UST Then Jesus told the people another story.{ He said,}“Here is what God’ s heavenly kingdom is like: a woman measured out some yeast and mixed it with about 25 kilograms of flour. The yeast made the whole batch of dough swell up.” BSB BSB: He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”
I Will Open My Mouth in Parables (Psalm 78:1–72)
34 UST Jesus used stories to teach all these things to the large groups of people{ who were standing on the shore of the sea}. In fact, he taught them by using stories only. BSB BSB: Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.
35 UST So, what God said by speaking through one of the prophets came true:“I will speak by using stories. I will reveal things that have been secret since{ God} created everything.” BSB BSB: So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
The Parable of the Weeds Explained (Zephaniah 1:1–6)
36 UST After{ speaking these stories}, Jesus departed from the large groups of people and entered the house{ where he was staying}. His apprentices went to him and asked,“Please teach us what the story about the weed plants in the field means.” BSB BSB: Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37 UST Jesus replied,“The farmer who planted some fertile grain seeds is like me, the Son of Man. BSB BSB: He replied, “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 UST The field is like the world. The fertile grain seeds are like people who participate in God’ s kingdom. The weed plants are like people who obey Satan. BSB BSB: The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
39 UST The person who hated the farmer and planted the weed seeds is like the devil. The time when the workers begin to harvest{ the grain} is like when this time period will end. The people who are harvesting are like angels. BSB BSB: and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 UST The workers collect the weed plants and burn them. That is like what will happen when this time period ends. BSB BSB: As the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
41 UST I, the Son of Man, will have my angels collect everything that causes people to sin and everyone who does what is wrong. They will remove those things and people from my kingdom. BSB BSB: The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness.
42 UST Then, the angels will cast those things and people into hell, which is like a burning oven. There people will cry and sorrowfully grind their teeth. BSB BSB: And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43 UST After that, the people who did what was right will live in God their Father’ s kingdom. They will be as glorious as the sun when it shines. You should think carefully about what you just heard me say! BSB BSB: Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
The Parables of the Treasure and the Pearl 44 UST Here is what God’ s heavenly kingdom is like: A man discovered a secret treasure in a field. He was very happy, but he put the treasure back into its secret place. He went home and sold everything that he owned. Then, he bought the field{ so that he could have the treasure in it}. BSB BSB: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 UST Here is what God’ s heavenly kingdom is also like: a trader wanted some valuable pearls. BSB BSB: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.
46 UST Eventually, he saw a very expensive pearl. He went home and sold everything that he owned. Then, he bought that pearl. BSB BSB: When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Net 47 UST Here is what God’ s heavenly kingdom is also like: people used a net to catch fish in a lake. They caught many kinds of fish. BSB BSB: Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish.
48 UST When the net was full{ of fish}, the people pulled it onto the shore. They sat down{ to sort through the fish that they had caught}. They put the edible fish into buckets and threw away the useless fish. BSB BSB: When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away.
49 UST That is like what will happen when this time period ends. Angels will come, and they will divide people who do what is wrong from people who do what is right. BSB BSB: So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
50 UST Then, the angels will cast the people who do what is wrong into hell, which is like a burning oven. There they will cry and sorrowfully grind their teeth. BSB BSB: and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 UST Do you know what all these things{ that I have taught you} mean?” The apprentices answered,“Yes{, we know what they mean}.” BSB BSB: Have you understood all these things?” “Yes,” they answered.
52 UST Jesus responded,“So then, consider teachers whose leader has trained them to participate in God’ s heavenly kingdom. They are like people who manage households.{ That is because} both the teachers and the people who manage households offer old and new things that are valuable.” BSB BSB: Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
The Rejection at Nazareth (Mark 6:1–6; Luke 4:16–30)
53 UST So, Jesus completed telling these stories. Then, he left that place. BSB BSB: When Jesus had finished these parables, He withdrew from that place.
54 UST Then Jesus traveled to{ the city of Nazareth,} where he had grown up. He instructed the people there when they gathered in the Jewish meeting place. What he said impressed them, and they said{ to each other},“We do not know how this man became so wise and powerful. BSB BSB: Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked.
56 UST All his sisters live here in our town. So, we do not know how this man learned to do these things.” BSB BSB: Aren’t all His sisters with us as well? Where then did this man get all these things?”
57 UST These people rejected Jesus. So, Jesus told them,“The only ones who do not respect people who speak for God are those from where they grew up and their own families.” BSB BSB: And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”
58 UST Since the people did not trust in him, Jesus did very few powerful things in that place. BSB BSB: And He did not do many miracles there, because of their unbelief.