| New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
| 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. | 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. |
| 2He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: | 2He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: |
| 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. | 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. |
| 4 As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. | 4 As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. |
| 5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. | 5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. |
| 6 But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. | 6 But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. |
| 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. | 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. |
| 8 Still 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!” | 8 Still 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!” |
| 9Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” | 9Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” |
| 10Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. | 10Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. |
| 11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, | 11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, |
| 12 so 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.’ ” | 12 so 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.’ ” |
| 13Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? | 13Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? |
| 14 The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. | 14 The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. |
| 15 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. | 15 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. |
| 16 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. | 16 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. |
| 17 But 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. | 17 But 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. |
| 18 The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, | 18 The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, |
| 19 but 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. | 19 but 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. |
| 20 And 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!” Parable of the Lamp | 20 And 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!” Parable of the Lamp |
| 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. | 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. |
| 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. | 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. |
| 23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” | 23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” |
| 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. | 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. |
| 25 To 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.” Parable of the Growing Seed | 25 To 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.” Parable of the Growing Seed |
| 26Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. | 26Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. |
| 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. | 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. |
| 28 The 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. | 28 The 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. |
| 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” Parable of the Mustard Seed | 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” Parable of the Mustard Seed |
| 30Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? | 30Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? |
| 31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, | 31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, |
| 32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” | 32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” |
| 33Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. | 33Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. |
| 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. Jesus Calms the Storm | 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. Jesus Calms the Storm |
| 35As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” | 35As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” |
| 36So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). | 36So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). |
| 37But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. | 37But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. |
| 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?” | 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?” |
| 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. | 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. |
| 40Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” | 40Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” |
| 41The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” | 41The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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