New Living Translation

Greek Study Bible

1Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore.

1Καὶ πάλιν ἤρξατο διδάσκειν παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ συνάγεται πρὸς αὐτὸν ὄχλος πλεῖστος ὥστε αὐτὸν εἰς πλοῖον ἐμβάντα καθῆσθαι ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος πρὸς τὴν θάλασσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἦσαν

2He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

2Καὶ ἐδίδασκεν αὐτοὺς ἐν παραβολαῖς πολλά καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ

3"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.

3Ἀκούετε ἰδοὺ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων σπεῖραι

4As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it.

4καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ σπείρειν ὃ μὲν ἔπεσεν παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν καὶ ἦλθεν τὰ πετεινὰ καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτό

5Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.

5Καὶ ἄλλο ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸ πετρῶδες (καὶ) ὅπου οὐκ εἶχεν γῆν πολλήν καὶ εὐθὺς ἐξανέτειλεν διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς

6But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn't have deep roots, it died.

6καὶ ὅτε ἀνέτειλεν ὁ ἥλιος ἐκαυματίσθη καὶ διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ῥίζαν ἐξηράνθη

7Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain.

7Καὶ ἄλλο ἔπεσεν εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας καὶ ἀνέβησαν αἱ ἄκανθαι καὶ συνέπνιξαν αὐτό καὶ καρπὸν οὐκ ἔδωκεν

8Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"

8Καὶ ἄλλα ἔπεσεν εἰς τὴν γῆν τὴν καλήν καὶ ἐδίδου καρπὸν ἀναβαίνοντα καὶ αὐξανόμενα καὶ ἔφερεν ἓν* τριάκοντα καὶ ἓν ἑξήκοντα καὶ ἓν ἑκατόν

9Then he said, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."

9Καὶ ἔλεγεν Ὃς ἔχει ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω

10Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.

10Καὶ ὅτε ἐγένετο κατὰ μόνας ἠρώτων αὐτὸν οἱ περὶ αὐτὸν σὺν τοῖς δώδεκα τὰς παραβολάς

11He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders,

11Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς Ὑμῖν τὸ μυστήριον δέδοται τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκείνοις δὲ τοῖς ἔξω ἐν παραβολαῖς τὰ πάντα γίνεται

12so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: 'When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.'"

12ἵνα Βλέποντες βλέπωσιν καὶ μὴ ἴδωσιν Καὶ ἀκούοντες ἀκούωσιν καὶ μὴ συνιῶσιν Μή‿ ποτε ἐπιστρέψωσιν Καὶ ἀφεθῇ αὐτοῖς

13Then Jesus said to them, "If you can't understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?

13Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Οὐκ οἴδατε τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην καὶ πῶς πάσας τὰς παραβολὰς γνώσεσθε

14The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others.

14Ὁ σπείρων τὸν λόγον σπείρει

15The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.

15οὗτοι δέ εἰσιν οἱ παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος καὶ ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν εὐθὺς ἔρχεται ὁ Σατανᾶς καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον τὸν ἐσπαρμένον εἰς αὐτούς

16The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.

16Καὶ οὗτοί εἰσιν ὁμοίως οἱ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπειρόμενοι οἳ ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν τὸν λόγον εὐθὺς μετὰ χαρᾶς λαμβάνουσιν αὐτόν

17But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word.

17καὶ οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιροί εἰσιν εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζονται

18The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God's word,

18Καὶ ἄλλοι εἰσὶν οἱ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας σπειρόμενοι οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ τὸν λόγον ἀκούσαντες

19but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

19καὶ αἱ μέριμναι τοῦ αἰῶνος καὶ ἡ ἀπάτη τοῦ πλούτου καὶ αἱ περὶ τὰ λοιπὰ ἐπιθυμίαι εἰσπορευόμεναι συμπνίγουσιν τὸν λόγον καὶ ἄκαρπος γίνεται

20And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"

20Καὶ ἐκεῖνοί εἰσιν οἱ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν τὴν καλὴν σπαρέντες οἵτινες ἀκούουσιν τὸν λόγον καὶ παραδέχονται καὶ καρποφοροῦσιν ἓν τριάκοντα καὶ ἓν ἑξήκοντα καὶ ἓν ἑκατόν

21Then Jesus asked them, "Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.

21Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς 〈ὅτι〉 Μήτι ἔρχεται ὁ λύχνος ἵνα ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον τεθῇ ἢ ὑπὸ τὴν κλίνην οὐχ ἵνα ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν τεθῇ

22For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.

22οὐ γάρ ἐστιν 〈τι〉 κρυπτὸν ἐὰν μὴ ἵνα φανερωθῇ οὐδὲ ἐγένετο ἀπόκρυφον ἀλλ’ ἵνα ἔλθῃ εἰς φανερόν

23Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."

23Εἴ τις ἔχει ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω

24Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given--and you will receive even more.

24Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς Βλέπετε τί ἀκούετε ἐν ᾧ μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε μετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν καὶ προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν

25To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them."

25ὃς γὰρ ἔχει δοθήσεται αὐτῷ καὶ ὃς οὐκ ἔχει καὶ ὃ ἔχει ἀρθήσεται ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ

26Jesus also said, "The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.

26Καὶ ἔλεγεν Οὕτως ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ ὡς ἄνθρωπος βάλῃ τὸν σπόρον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς

27Night and day, while he's asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.

27καὶ καθεύδῃ καὶ ἐγείρηται νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν καὶ ὁ σπόρος βλαστᾷ καὶ μηκύνηται ὡς οὐκ οἶδεν αὐτός

28The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.

28αὐτομάτη ἡ γῆ καρποφορεῖ πρῶτον χόρτον εἶτα* στάχυν εἶτα* πλήρης σῖτον* ἐν τῷ στάχυϊ

29And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come."

29ὅταν δὲ παραδοῖ ὁ καρπός εὐθὺς ἀποστέλλει τὸ δρέπανον ὅτι παρέστηκεν ὁ θερισμός

30Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?

30Καὶ ἔλεγεν Πῶς ὁμοιώσωμεν τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἢ ἐν τίνι αὐτὴν παραβολῇ θῶμεν

31It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds,

31ὡς κόκκῳ σινάπεως ὃς ὅταν σπαρῇ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς μικρότερον ὂν πάντων τῶν σπερμάτων τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς

32but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade."

32καὶ ὅταν σπαρῇ ἀναβαίνει καὶ γίνεται μεῖζον πάντων τῶν λαχάνων καὶ ποιεῖ κλάδους μεγάλους ὥστε δύνασθαι ὑπὸ τὴν σκιὰν αὐτοῦ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνοῦν*

33Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.

33Καὶ τοιαύταις παραβολαῖς πολλαῖς ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον καθὼς ἠδύναντο ἀκούειν

34In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

34χωρὶς δὲ παραβολῆς οὐκ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς κατ’ ἰδίαν δὲ τοῖς ἰδίοις μαθηταῖς ἐπέλυεν πάντα

35As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake."

35Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ὀψίας γενομένης Διέλθωμεν εἰς τὸ πέραν

36So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).

36καὶ ἀφέντες τὸν ὄχλον παραλαμβάνουσιν αὐτὸν ὡς ἦν ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ καὶ ἄλλα πλοῖα ἦν μετ’ αὐτοῦ

37But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

37Καὶ γίνεται λαῖλαψ μεγάλη ἀνέμου καὶ τὰ κύματα ἐπέβαλλεν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ὥστε ἤδη γεμίζεσθαι τὸ πλοῖον

38Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?"

38καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἐν τῇ πρύμνῃ ἐπὶ τὸ προσκεφάλαιον καθεύδων καὶ ἐγείρουσιν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Διδάσκαλε οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι ἀπολλύμεθα

39When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

39Καὶ διεγερθεὶς ἐπετίμησεν τῷ ἀνέμῳ καὶ εἶπεν τῇ θαλάσσῃ Σιώπα πεφίμωσο καὶ ἐκόπασεν ὁ ἄνεμος καὶ ἐγένετο γαλήνη μεγάλη

40Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

40Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Τί δειλοί ἐστε οὔπω* ἔχετε πίστιν

41The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"

41Καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἀλλήλους Τίς ἄρα οὗτός ἐστιν ὅτι καὶ ὁ ἄνεμος καὶ ἡ θάλασσα ὑπακούει αὐτῷ

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All Rights Reserved.

Greek and Hebrew Study Bible courtesy Bible Hub and the Discovery Bible team.