13:1 Later that same day, Jesus left the house and went down to the shore,
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 1 , Later that same day, Jesus left the house and went down to the shore,
13:2 where an immense crowd soon gathered. He got into a boat, where he sat and taught as the people listened on the shore.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 2 , where an immense crowd soon gathered. He got into a boat, where he sat and taught as the people listened on the shore.
13:3 He told many stories such as this one: 'A farmer went out to plant some seed.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 3 , He told many stories such as this one: 'A farmer went out to plant some seed.
13:4 As he scattered it across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 4 , As he scattered it across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.
13:5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plants sprang up quickly,
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 5 , Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plants sprang up quickly,
13:6 but they soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 6 , but they soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil.
13:7 Other seeds fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 7 , Other seeds fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades.
13:8 But some seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 8 , But some seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted.
13:9 Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 9 , Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!'
13:10 His disciples came and asked him, 'Why do you always tell stories when you talk to the people?'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 10 , His disciples came and asked him, 'Why do you always tell stories when you talk to the people?'
13:11 Then he explained to them, 'You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 11 , Then he explained to them, 'You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not.
13:12 To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 12 , To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.
13:13 That is why I tell these stories, because people see what I do, but they don't really see. They hear what I say, but they don't really hear, and they don't understand.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 13 , That is why I tell these stories, because people see what I do, but they don't really see. They hear what I say, but they don't really hear, and they don't understand.
13:14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: `You will hear my words, but you will not understand; you will see what I do, but you will not perceive its meaning.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 14 , This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: `You will hear my words, but you will not understand; you will see what I do, but you will not perceive its meaning.
13:15 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes-- so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 15 , For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes-- so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.'
13:16 'But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 16 , 'But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
13:17 I assure you, many prophets and godly people have longed to see and hear what you have seen and heard, but they could not.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 17 , I assure you, many prophets and godly people have longed to see and hear what you have seen and heard, but they could not.
13:18 'Now here is the explanation of the story I told about the farmer sowing grain:
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 18 , 'Now here is the explanation of the story I told about the farmer sowing grain:
13:19 The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the Good News about the Kingdom and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches the seed away from their hearts.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 19 , The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the Good News about the Kingdom and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches the seed away from their hearts.
13:20 The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 20 , The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy.
13:21 But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because they believe the word.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 21 , But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because they believe the word.
13:22 The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life and the lure of wealth, so no crop is produced.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 22 , The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life and the lure of wealth, so no crop is produced.
13:23 The good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God's message and produce a huge harvest--thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 23 , The good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God's message and produce a huge harvest--thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.'
13:24 Here is another story Jesus told: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 24 , Here is another story Jesus told: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.
13:25 But that night as everyone slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 25 , But that night as everyone slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat.
13:26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 26 , When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.
13:27 The farmer's servants came and told him, `Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds!'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 27 , The farmer's servants came and told him, `Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds!'
13:28 ' `An enemy has done it!' the farmer exclaimed. ' `Shall we pull out the weeds?' they asked.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 28 , ' `An enemy has done it!' the farmer exclaimed. ' `Shall we pull out the weeds?' they asked.
13:29 'He replied, `No, you'll hurt the wheat if you do.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 29 , 'He replied, `No, you'll hurt the wheat if you do.
13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds and burn them and to put the wheat in the barn.' '
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 30 , Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds and burn them and to put the wheat in the barn.' '
13:31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 31 , Here is another illustration Jesus used: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.
13:32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants and grows into a tree where birds can come and find shelter in its branches.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 32 , It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants and grows into a tree where birds can come and find shelter in its branches.'
13:33 Jesus also used this illustration: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast used by a woman making bread. Even though she used a large amount of flour, the yeast permeated every part of the dough.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 33 , Jesus also used this illustration: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast used by a woman making bread. Even though she used a large amount of flour, the yeast permeated every part of the dough.'
13:34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 34 , Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.
13:35 This fulfilled the prophecy that said, 'I will speak to you in parables. I will explain mysteries hidden since the creation of the world.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 35 , This fulfilled the prophecy that said, 'I will speak to you in parables. I will explain mysteries hidden since the creation of the world.'
13:36 Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, 'Please explain the story of the weeds in the field.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 36 , Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, 'Please explain the story of the weeds in the field.'
13:37 'All right,' he said. 'I, the Son of Man, am the farmer who plants the good seed.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 37 , 'All right,' he said. 'I, the Son of Man, am the farmer who plants the good seed.
13:38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 38 , The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.
13:39 The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 39 , The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.
13:40 'Just as the weeds are separated out and burned, so it will be at the end of the world.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 40 , 'Just as the weeds are separated out and burned, so it will be at the end of the world.
13:41 I, the Son of Man, will send my angels, and they will remove from my Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil,
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 41 , I, the Son of Man, will send my angels, and they will remove from my Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil,
13:42 and they will throw them into the furnace and burn them. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 42 , and they will throw them into the furnace and burn them. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13:43 Then the godly will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 43 , Then the godly will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!
13:44 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field--and to get the treasure, too!
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 44 , 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field--and to get the treasure, too!
13:45 'Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl merchant on the lookout for choice pearls.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 45 , 'Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl merchant on the lookout for choice pearls.
13:46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 46 , When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
13:47 'Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that is thrown into the water and gathers fish of every kind.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 47 , 'Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that is thrown into the water and gathers fish of every kind.
13:48 When the net is full, they drag it up onto the shore, sit down, sort the good fish into crates, and throw the bad ones away.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 48 , When the net is full, they drag it up onto the shore, sit down, sort the good fish into crates, and throw the bad ones away.
13:49 That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the godly,
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 49 , That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the godly,
13:50 throwing the wicked into the fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 50 , throwing the wicked into the fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13:51 Do you understand?' 'Yes,' they said, 'we do.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 51 , Do you understand?' 'Yes,' they said, 'we do.'
13:52 Then he added, 'Every teacher of religious law who has become a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a person who brings out of the storehouse the new teachings as well as the old.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 52 , Then he added, 'Every teacher of religious law who has become a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a person who brings out of the storehouse the new teachings as well as the old.'
13:53 When Jesus had finished telling these stories, he left that part of the country.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 53 , When Jesus had finished telling these stories, he left that part of the country.
13:54 He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was astonished and said, 'Where does he get his wisdom and his miracles?
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 54 , He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was astonished and said, 'Where does he get his wisdom and his miracles?
13:55 He's just a carpenter's son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers--James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 55 , He's just a carpenter's son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers--James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.
13:56 All his sisters live right here among us. What makes him so great?'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 56 , All his sisters live right here among us. What makes him so great?'
13:57 And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, 'A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 57 , And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, 'A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.'
13:58 And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 13 , Verse 58 , And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.
