Chapter XX: Parables and Interpretations

Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said unto them,

Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of
God: but unto them that are without, all _these_ things are
done in parables; that seeing they may see, and not perceive;
and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any
time they should be converted, and _their_ sins should be
forgiven them.

And he said unto them,

Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all
parables. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Now the
parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The sower soweth
the word. Those by the way-side where the word is sown, are
they that hear the word of the kingdom; but when they have
heard, and understandeth _it_ not, then Satan cometh
immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their
hearts: lest they should believe and be saved. This is he
which received seed by the way-side.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground;
who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it
with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure
but for a time: afterward, in time of temptation, when
affliction or persecution ariseth, for the word's sake,
immediately they are offended, and fall away.

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they
have heard the word, go forth, and the cares of this world,
and the deceitfulness of riches, and pleasures of _this_ life,
and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and
it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as in
an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep _it_,
and bring forth fruit with patience; some thirty-fold, some
sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them,

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a
vessel, or putteth _it_ under a bushel, or under a bed: but
setteth _it_ on a candlestick, that they which enter in may
see the light. For there is nothing hid, which shall not be
manifested; neither was anything kept secret, that shall not
be known and come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let
him hear.

And he said unto them,

Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be
measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not,
from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

And his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them,

He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is
the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but
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 and burned in the fire: so shall it be in the end of
this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and
they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend,
and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace
of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then
shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a
field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy
thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that
field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman,
seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of
great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast
into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was
full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good
into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end
of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the
wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the
furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus saith unto them,

Have ye understood all these things?

They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them,

Therefore every scribe _which is_ instructed unto the kingdom
of heaven is like unto a man _that is_ an householder, which
bringeth forth out of his treasure _things_ new and old.

Then came to him _his_ mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him _by certain_ which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them,

My mother and my brethren are those which hear the word of
God and do it.