The Parable of the Sower
(Matthew 13:1–9; Luke 8:4–8)

1And again He began to teach by the sea: and a great multitude is gathered unto Him, so that He having gone into a ship, sat on the sea; and the whole multitude was at the sea on the land. 2And He was teaching them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said to them,

3Hear: Behold, a sower went out to sow: 4and it came to pass while he was sowing, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured it. 5And other fell upon stones, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6and when the sun arose, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7And other fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up, and choked it, and it gave no fruit. 8And other fell in good ground, and springing up and growing, gave fruit, and produced, one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred. 9And He said, Let the one having ears to hear, hear.

The Purpose of Jesus’ Parables
(Matthew 13:10–17; Luke 8:9–10)

10And when they were alone, and those around Him along with the twelve asked Him the parable. 11And He said to them, To you it has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them who are without, all things are in parables: 12in order that seeing they may see, and not know; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest they may turn, and their sins may he forgiven unto them.

The Parable of the Sower Explained
(Matthew 13:18–23; Luke 8:11–15)

13And He says to them, Do you not understand this parable? and how will you know all parables? 14The sower sows the word. 15And those who are by the way-side, where the word is sown; and when they hear it, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which was sown in their hearts. 16And those who are sowed upon the rocks are likewise, those who, when they may hear the word, immediately with joy receive it. 17And they have no root in themselves, but are temporary; then tribulation or persecution arising on account of the word, they are immediately offended: 18and others are those who are sown among the thorns; they are those hearing the word, 19and the cares of the age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and desires concerning other things coming into them, choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20And these are they who are sown on good ground; whosoever hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred.

The Lesson of the Lamp
(Luke 8:16–18)

21And He said to them; Whether does the light come, that it may be placed under a bushel, or under a bed? is it not that it may be placed on a candlestick? 22For there is nothing hidden which may not be made manifest; neither is there any thing concealed, but that it may come into the light. 23If any one has ears to hear, let him hear. 24And He said to them. See what you hear: with what measure you measure it shall be measured unto you: and it shall be added unto you who hear. 25For whosoever has, it shall be given unto him: and he who has not, it shall be taken from him even that which he has.

The Seed Growing Secretly

26And He said, Thus is the kingdom of God, as a man may cast seed on the ground; 27and he may sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed germinates and grows, as he does not know. 28The earth spontaneously brings forth fruit; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. 29And when the fruit may develop, immediately he thrusts in the sickle, because the harvest is at hand.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed
(Matthew 13:31–32; Luke 13:18–19)

30And He said, To what may we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable may we present it? 31Tis like a grain of mustard seed, which when it may be sown upon the earth, is the smallest of all seeds which are upon the earth, 32and when it may be sowed, it springs up, and becomes the greatest of herbs, and produces great branches; so that the birds of the heavens are able to lodge under its shadow.

33And in many such parables He continued to speak the word to them, as they were able to hear. 34And without a parable He did not speak to them: and He privately expounded all things to His disciples.

Jesus Calms the Storm
(Matthew 8:23–27; Luke 8:22–25)

35And He says to them, on that day, it being evening, Let us go away to the other side. 36And leaving the multitude, they receive Him, as He was in the ship; and other ships were also with Him. 37And there was a great storm of wind: and the waves were dashing into the ship, so that it was already filled. 38And He was in the stern, sleeping on a pillow: and they awaken Him, and say to Him; Teacher, is there no care to thee that we perish? 39And being awakened, He said to the sea, Be calm, be quiet. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40And He said to them, Why are you so cowardly? how have you not faith? 41And they feared with a great fear, and continued to say to one another, Who then is this, because the wind and the sea obey Him?