Parable of the Sower

1And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

2And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his teaching,

3Listen; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

4And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

5And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

6But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

7And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

8And others fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred.

9And he said unto them, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

Why Parables Are Used

10And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

11And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are outside, all these things are done in parables:

12That 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.

Parable of the Sower Explained

13And he said unto them, Know you not this parable? and how then will you know all parables?

14The sower sows the word.

15And these are they by the wayside, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16And these are they likewise who are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

18And these are they who are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

20And these are they who are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

A Lamp Belongs on a Stand

21And he said unto them, Is a lamp brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a lampstand?

22For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come into the open.

23If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.

24And he said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

25For he that has, to him shall be given: and he that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has.

Parable of the Growing Seed

26And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

27And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how.

28For the earth brings forth fruit of itself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full grain in the ear.

29But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Parable of the Mustard Seed

30And he said, With what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

32But when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all plants, and shoots out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

33And with many such parables he spoke the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

34But without a parable he spoke not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Jesus Calms the Wind and the Sea

35And the same day, when the evening was come, he said unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him just as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38And he was in the rear of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awoke him, and said unto him, Teacher, care you not that we perish?

39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40And he said unto them, Why are you so fearful? how is it that you have no faith?

41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?