Page images
PDF
EPUB

PARABLES OF JESUS.

when he had said these things, he cried, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

And his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable was? And he said, "The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." a

Parable of the Tares.

And he put forth to them another parable, and said, "The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when

the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?" He said unto them, "An enemy hath done this." The servants said unto him, "Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?" But he said, "Nay; lest while ye

a Luke viii. 5-15.

gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

And his disciples came unto him, saying, “Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.” He answered and said unto them, "He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." b

18.

PARABLES OF JESUS, (CONTINUEd.)

The Grain of Mustard Seed-The Leaven-The Treasure hid in a Field-The Pearl of Great Price. ANOTHER parable put he forth unto them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain

b Matt. xiii. 24-43.

PARABLES OF JESUS.

of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." a

Another parable spake he unto them: "The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened." b

66

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." c

66

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." a

The Net cast into the Sea.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." e

a Matt. xiii. 31, 32. Matt. xiii. 44.

b Matt. xiii. 33.
d Matt. xiii. 45, 46.

e Matt. xiii. 47-50.

The Labourers in the Vineyard.

And he spake another parable to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day," (about seven pence halfpenny,) "he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour," (nine o'clock in the morning,) "and saw others standing idle in the market-place, and said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour," (twelve o'clock, and three o'clock,) "and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour" (five o'clock in the afternoon) "he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

"So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one

PARABLES OF JESUS.

of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take

[graphic]

that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."f

19.

PARABLES OF JESUS, (CONTINUED.)

The lost Sheep, and the lost Piece of Silver.

THERE drew nigh unto Jesus many publicans and sinners to hear him. And the pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, "This man receiveth sinners,

f Matt. xx. 1-16.

« PreviousContinue »