The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
13.31.He told them another parable:"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32.Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows , it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in his branches." 33.He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." 34.Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables: he did not say anything to them without using a parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35.So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
36.Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." 37.He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38.The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39.and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvester are angels. 40."As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age, and the harvester s are angels. 41.The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of the kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42.They will throw them into the fiery furnace., where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43.Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who had ears, let him hear.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44."The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in the field . When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45."Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46.When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Net
47."Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48.when it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49.This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous. 50.and throw them into the fiery furnace. where there will be weeping and gnashing with teeth. 51."Have you understood all the things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied 52.He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of the house who brings out of his storeroom new treasure as well as old."
A Prophet Without Honor
53.When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54.Coming to his hometown, he began to teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous power?" they asked . 55."Isn't this the carpenters's son? Isn't this his mother's name Mary, and aren't all his brothers James, Joseph ,Simon and Judah? 56.Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these thing?" 57.And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 58.And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.