47Then one said to Him, “Look, pYour mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”
48But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”
49And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My qbrothers!
50“For rwhoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Matthew 13
The Parable of the Sower
(Mark 4:1–9; Luke 8:4–8)
1On the same day Jesus went out of the house aand sat by the sea.
2bAnd great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that cHe got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: d“Behold, a sower went out to sow.
4“And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
5“Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.
6“But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
7“And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.
8“But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some ea hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
9f“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
The Purpose of Parables
(Mark 4:10–12; Luke 8:9, 10)
10And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11He answered and said to them, “Because git has been given to you to know the 1mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12h“For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
13“Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
14“And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
i‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not jperceive;
15For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears kare hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have lclosed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I 2should mheal them.’
16“But nblessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
17“for assuredly, I say to you othat many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
The Parable of the Sower Explained
(Mark 4:13–20; Luke 8:11–15)
18p“Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
19“When anyone hears the word qof the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20“But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately rreceives it with joy;
21“yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when stribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately the stumbles.
22“Now uhe who received seed vamong the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
23“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears wfruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
24Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25“but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
26“But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27“So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’
28“He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’
29“But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30‘Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but xgather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
(Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18, 19)
31Another parable He put forth to them, saying: y“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,
32“which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a ztree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
The Parable of the Leaven
(Luke 13:20, 21)
33aAnother parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three 3measures of meal till bit was all leavened.”
Prophecy and the Parables
34cAll these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,
35that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
d“I will open My mouth in parables;
e I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
The Parable of the Tares Explained
36Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”
37He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38f“The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are gthe sons of the wicked one.
39“The enemy who sowed them is the devil, hthe harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.
40“Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.
41“The Son of Man will send out His angels, iand they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
42j“and will cast them into the furnace of fire. kThere will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43l“Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. mHe who has ears to hear, let him hear!
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and nsells all that he has and obuys that field.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
46“who, when he had found pone pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Dragnet
47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and qgathered some of every kind,
48“which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.
49“So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, rseparate the wicked from among the just,
50“and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
514Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, 5Lord.”
52Then He said to them, “Therefore every 6scribe instructed 7concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of hi
s treasure sthings new and old.”
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
(Mark 6:1–6; Luke 4:16–30)
53Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.
54tWhen He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?
55u“Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And vHis brothers wJames, 8Joses, Simon, and Judas?
56“And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?”
57So they xwere offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, y“A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.”
58Now zHe did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Matthew 14
John the Baptist Beheaded
(Mark 6:14–29; Luke 9:7–9)
1At that time aHerod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus
2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
3bFor Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
4Because John had said to him, c“It is not lawful for you to have her.”
5And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, dbecause they counted him as a prophet.
6But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.
7Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
8So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”
9And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.
10So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.
11And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
12Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
Feeding the Five Thousand
(Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14)
13eWhen Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
14And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He fwas moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
15gWhen it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”
16But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”
18He said, “Bring them here to Me.”
19Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, hHe blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.
20So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.
21Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus Walks on the Sea
(Mark 6:45–52; John 6:15–21)
22Immediately Jesus 1made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
23iAnd when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. jNow when evening came, He was alone there.
24But the boat was now 2in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
26And when the disciples saw Him kwalking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 3“Be of good lcheer! 4It is I; do not be afraid.”
28And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
30But when he saw 5that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of mlittle faith, why did you doubt?”
32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33Then those who were in the boat 6came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly nYou are the Son of God.”
Many Touch Him and Are Made Well
(Mark 6:53–56)
34oWhen they had crossed over, they came 7to the land of Gennesaret.
35And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick,
36and begged Him that they might only ptouch the hem of His garment. And qas many as touched it were made perfectly well.
Matthew 15
Defilement Comes from Within
(Mark 7:1–23)
1Then athe scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,
2b“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
3He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
4“For God commanded, saying, c‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, d‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’
5“But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, e“Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”—
6‘then he need not honor his father 1or mother.’ Thus you have made the 2commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
7f“Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
8‘Theseg people 3draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9And in vain they worship Me,
h Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
10iWhen He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand:
11j“Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
12Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13But He answered and said, k“Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
14“Let them alone. lThey are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
15mThen Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
16So Jesus said, n“Are you also still without understanding?
17“Do you not yet understand that owhatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
18“But pthose things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
19q“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
20“These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
A Gentile Shows Her Faith
(Mark 7:24–30)
21rThen Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
22And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, sSon of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
23But He an
swered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”
24But He answered and said, t“I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
26But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little udogs.”
27And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
28Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, vgreat is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Jesus Heals Great Multitudes
(Mark 7:31–37)
29wJesus departed from there, xskirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there.
30yThen great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, 4maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ zfeet, and He healed them.
31So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the 5maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they aglorified the God of Israel.
Feeding the Four Thousand
(Mark 8:1–10)
32bNow Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
33cThen His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?”
34Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”
35So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36And dHe took the seven loaves and the fish and egave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.
37So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left.
38Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
39fAnd He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of 6Magdala.
Matthew 16
The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV Page 453