Workers For Jesus Online Bible Study Table of Contents

About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand.  In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form. 



Timeline of the Bible


God creates the world. --- God destroys the world with the flood, but saves  Noah and his family.---
 God chooses Abraham and his descendants to His people. ---Abraham's grandson, Jacob, has 12 sons who lead the 12 tribes of Israel.--- The Israelites become slaves in Egypt.--- God helps the Israelites escape and leads them to Canaan. ---The Israelites fight in wars and take control of Canaan.---Judges lead the Israelites, but the Israelites want to have kings instead of judges. ----  David is Israel's greatest king. -- Israel divides into 2 parts: Israel and Judah.--- The people of Israel and Judah continue to sin and worship false gods.--- God allows the Assyrians and the Babylonians to take the Israelites out of Israel and Judah.---   The Israelites (Jews) live in Babylonia and then Persia. --- When Persia defeats the Babylonians, the Jews go back to Judah.--- The Jews build God's Temple in Jerusalem again.--- Greece defeats Persia, and the Greeks control Judah (also now called Israel).--- The Jews become independent for 100 years.-- The Romans take control of Israel.--- This book of the Bible covers this time Jesus is born. At age 30, Jesus begins his ministry. ---Jesus is crucified and then is resurrected. --- A Roman named Saul is converted to Christianity and becomes Paul.--- Christianity spreads. --- Paul write letters to Christians in other places. In the year, 70 A.D., God's Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed again.

 

The Gospel of Matthew

Gospels are books of the Bible about Jesus's life, death, and resurrection.  The first Gospel written was the Gospel of Mark.  But the Gospel of Matthew is felt to be the most important.

Matthew (also called Levi) was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ.  He wrote this book of the Bible in about 60 - 65 A.D.

Matthew was a tax collector. At that time, tax collectors were looked down on.
 


Matthew 11 -13

Some of John's followers visit Jesus.
Jesus scolds cities who have heard His message but did not repent.
The Pharisees criticize Jesus because His disciples pick corn on the Sabbath.
Jesus heals a man's hand on the Sabbath.
Jesus teaches the crowd by telling them parables.
Jesus goes to His home area, but the people do not believe in Him.


 


Matthew 11


Some of John's followers visit Jesus.


Later, after Jesus told His 12 disciples what to do, He left to go teach and preach in the cities.
[1] And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.


John the Baptist was in prison.  He heard about the work that Jesus was doing. He sent 2 of his followers to see Jesus.  They asked Jesus if He was the One who was coming or should they look for someone else.
[2] Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
[3] And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?


Jesus answered them. He said they should go and tell John what they have seen and heard.  Blind people see again. People who can't walk can walk again. People with leprosy are clean.  Deaf people can hear again. Dead people are alive again.  Poor people have the gospel preached to them.
[4] Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
[5] The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.


Jesus said that the people who are not ashamed of Him will be blessed.
[6] And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.


John's 2 followers left.  Then, Jesus talked to the crowd about John. What did you go to see in the wilderness? Was it some tall grass shaking in the wind? What did you go out to see? Was it a man dressed in nice clothes like they wear in the kings' palaces?
[7] And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
[8] But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.


What did you go out to see? Was it a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and he was more than a prophet.  He is one that was written about in the scriptures.  God said to him,  "I am sending you ahead of Me. You will get the way ready for Me."
[9] But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
[10] For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.


Jesus said, "I am saying to you truly that no one ever born from a woman has been greater than John the Baptist. But the one who is the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
[11] Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.


Since the days of John the Baptist until now, there has been violence in the kingdom of heaven. Violent people try to take over with force.  The Jewish law and the prophets gave prophesies until John.  The said John would come like Elijah. Everyone who has ears should hear this.
[12] And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
[13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
[14] And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
[15] He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
 

What should I compare this generation to? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to their friends.  They are saying that they have played the flute, but they have not danced. They said they have mourned for them, but they have not cried.
[16] But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
[17] And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
 

John came, and he didn't eat or drink. But people said he had an evil spirit.  The Son of man was eating and drinking, and people said He eats and drinks too much. They said He is friends with sinners and tax collectors.  Actions show that wisdom was right.
[18] For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
[19] The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

 



Jesus scolds cities who have heard His message but did not repent.


Then He scolded the cities where He did miracles because the people in the cities did not repent.
[20] Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:


He said Chorazin and Bethsaida will have woe and trouble.  He said if the same miracles He did in Chorazin and Bethsaida had been done in Tyre and Sidon, the people in Tyre and Sidon would have repented a long time ago.  They would have put on sackcloth (rough clothing) and ashes to show the were sorry for their sins.
[21] Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Jesus said that on the day of judgment, Tyre and Sidon will be treated better than Chorazin and Bethsaida.
[22] But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.


Jesus then talked about Capernaum.  He said they will brought down to hell because miracles were done there, but they did not repent.  If the same miracles were done in Sodom, it would not have been destroyed.  But in the day of judgment, Sodom will be tolerated better than Capernaum.
[23] And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
[24] But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.


Jesus prayed. He said, "Thank you, God, the Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You hid these things from the wise and smart people and showed them to the babies. That is the way it seemed best to You."
[25] At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
[26] Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
 

Jesus said, "Everything has been given to me by my Father.  No one knows the Son except the Father. No one knows the Father except the Son and whoever the Son reveals Him to."
[27] All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.


Jesus said, "Come to me, everyone who is working and carrying a heavy burden. I will give you rest.  Take my yoke and learn from me.  I am gentle and kind in heart. You will find rest for your soul. My yoke is easy.  My burden is light."
[28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
[29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
[30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 



Matthew 12


The Pharisees criticize Jesus because His disciples pick corn on the Sabbath.


Jesus was walking through some corn stalks in a field.  It was the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they picked some corn and ate it.
[1] At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.


The Pharisees saw this.  They told Jesus that His disciples were breaking the law.  They were picking from the farm on the Sabbath day.
[2] But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.


Jesus answered them. He said, "Haven't you read about what David and the people with him did when they were hungry?  David went into the house of God and ate the shewbread.  That was against the law because only priests were supposed to eat it. Haven't you read that the priests break the law about the Sabbath, but no one blames them?"
[3] But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
[4] How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
[5] Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
 

Jesus continued. He said, "I am telling you that here and now, there is One greater than the temple. If you understood that God wants mercy more than sacrifices, you would not have blamed innocent people. The Son of man is the Lord over even the Sabbath."
[6] But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
[7] But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
[8] For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

 



Jesus heals a man's hand on the Sabbath.


When Jesus left there, He went into their synagogue. There was a man there with a deformed hand. They asked Jesus if it was against the law to heal the man on the Sabbath. They wanted to accuse Jesus of breaking the law.
[9] And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
[10] And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.


Jesus replied to them. He asked them if they would rescue a sheep that fell into a hole if it was the Sabbath day. He said they would rescue the sheep.
[11] And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?


He said that a man is much better than a sheep.  So, it is ok to do good things on the Sabbath.
[12] How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.


He told the man to stretch out his hand. The man stretched it out, and his hand was healed.  It looked just like his other hand.
[13] Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.


Then the Pharisees went out. They talked together against Jesus. They plotted how to destroy Him.
[14] Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.


When Jesus heard about that, He left that area.  Large crowds followed Him. He healed them all. He told them not to tell anyone about Him. This was to fulfill what the prophet Isaiah said.
[15] But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
[16] And charged them that they should not make him known:
[17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
 

Elijah said this: 
See my servant whom I have chosen. He is My beloved. My soul is well-pleased with Him. I will put My spirit on Him. He will judge the Gentiles.  He will not fight or yell.  No one will hear Him out in the streets.   He will not break a damaged reed or put out fire on flax until He sends His judgment and victory.  The Gentiles will trust His name.

[18] Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
[19] He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
[20] A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
[21] And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

 




The Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out evil spirits with the power of Satan.



A man was brought to Jesus. This man had a devil in him. He was blind and could not speak.  Jesus healed the man. Then the man could see and speak.  All of the people were amazed.
They asked if Jesus was the son of David.

[22] Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
[23] And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?


When the Pharisees hear this, they said that Jesus was casting out devils with the power of Beelzebub (the prince of devils).
[24] But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.


Jesus knew what they were thinking. He told them that  a kingdom or a home that is divided will be destroyed.  It will not stand.  So, if Satan was helping Jesus to cast out devils, that is the same as Satan fighting against himself.  If he is fighting himself, his kingdom will not stand.
[25] And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
[26] And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?


Jesus said if Beelzebub gives Him power to cast out devils, whose power do the Pharisees' children use to cast out devils?  Their children will be their judges. 
[27] And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.


Jesus said that if the spirit of God gives Him the power to cast out devils, that means that the kingdom of God has come to them.
[28] But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.


He asked, "How can someone steal from a strong man's house unless he first ties up the strong man. Then, he can steal from him. If someone is not supporting Me, he is against Me.  The person who does not gather with Me is scattering."
[29] Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
[30] He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.


Jesus said that sin and talking bad about people can be forgiven.  But talking bad against God will not be forgiven.
[31] Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
 

Jesus said if someone talks against the Son of man, he can be forgiven.  But if someone talks against the Holy Ghost, he cannot be forgiven now in this life or in the world to come.
[32] And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.


Jesus said, "The fruit on a tree shows if the tree is good or bad.  A bad tree will make bad fruit.  A good tree will make good fruit."
[33] Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.


Jesus continued, "You are a generation of vipers (snakes).  You are evil, so you can't say good things. The mouth says what is in the heart.  A good man with a good heart says good things.  An evil man with an evil heart says bad things."
[34] O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
[35] A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.


Jesus said that on judgment day, people will have to account for every bad word that they say.
[36] But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.


He said, "You will be saved or condemned depending on what you said."

[37] For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

 



Some scribes and Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign.


Some of the scribes and Pharisees told Jesus they wanted a sign from Him.
[38] Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.


Jesus answered them.  He said only evil and bad people want a sign.  The only sign they will get is the same sign as the prophet Jonah. Jonah had to spend 3 days and 3 nights in the stomach of a whale. The Son of man will spend 3 days and 3 nights in the earth.
[39] But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
[40] For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.


When Jonah preached to the people in Nineveh, they repented. You are seeing someone who is greater than Jonah, and you are not repenting. The people of Nineveh will condemn you in the day of judgment.
[41] The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.


The queen of the south (the queen of Sheba) will also judge you in they day of judgment. She came from far away to hear Solomon's wisdom. You are here with someone much greater than Solomon.
[42] The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.


Jesus said, "When an evil spirit goes out of a man, the evil spirit walks around. He walks around through dry places looking for a place to rest. But he doesn't find a place.
[43] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.


Then the evil spirit says it will go back where it came from.  When it goes back to the man, he sees that its old place is empty and swept clean.  So the evil spirit goes and takes 7 more spirits with him. The 7 spirits are worse than the first one.  They go into the man and stay there.  The man ends up worse than he was before.  That is how it will be with this generation."
[44] Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
[45] Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.


While Jesus was talking to the people, his mother and brothers were outside. They wanted to talk to Him. Someone told Him His mother and brothers wanted to talk to Him.
[46] While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
[47] Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.


But he answered and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are my mother and brothers. Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother."
[48] But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
[49] And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
[50] For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
 



Matthew 13


Jesus teaches the crowd by telling them parables.
 

The same day, Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. A big crowd came to Him, so He went and sat in a ship. The crowd stood on the shore.
[1] The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
[2] And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.


Jesus told them many parables.

This is a parable about a man who planted seeds:
A man went out to plant seeds. Some of the seeds fell on the side. Birds came and ate those seeds. Some of the seeds fell on rocky ground where there wasn't much dirt. They grew up fast because they didn't have dirt over them. But when the sun came out, they burned up and died. They didn't have any roots to give them water.   Some of the seeds fell on the ground with thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.  But some of the other seeds feel into good ground.  They grew up and made fruit. Some made 100 times, 60 times, or 30 times as much fruit.

Jesus said that people who have ears should hear what He said.


[3] And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
[4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
[5] Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
[6] And 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 sprung up, and choked them:
[8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
[9] Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.


One of Jesus' disciples asked Him why He told them parables. Jesus said because they are being told about the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. But others will not be told.
[10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
[11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.


The people who have will be given more and have a lot.  But people who do not have will lose everything they had.
[12] For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
 

Jesus said, "That is why I speak in parables. The ones who don't see won't see, and the ones who don't hear won't hear. None of them will understand."
[13] Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.


Jesus said that this fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah. He said:
You will hear but not understand.
You will see but not understand.

Jesus said that this group of people's hearts have become ugly. They don't hear and they don't see. If they could hear or see or understand, they would be converted, and He would heal them.
[14] And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
[15] For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.


Jesus said, "But your eyes are blessed because they see.  Your ears are blessed because they hear.  Truly, I say to you that many prophets and good men have wanted to see what you can see.  But they didn't get to see them.  They wanted to hear the things that you hear, but they didn't get to hear them."
[16] But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
[17] For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.



Jesus explains the parable He told earlier.


Jesus explained the parable about the man who planted seeds.
[18] Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.


When someone hears the word of God's kingdom but doesn't understand it, the wicked one comes and takes away the seed that was planted in the person's heart. In the parable, that is like the seeds that fell on the side that the birds ate.
[19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
 

Someone else is like the seed that fell on rocky ground. They hear God's word and are happy about it.  But they don't have roots. When they have trouble or are persecuted because of what they believe, they give up.
[20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
[21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
 

Someone else is like the seed that fell in the thorns.  They hear God's word, but they are deceived and fooled by money.  It chokes God's word in them and then they don't do good things.
[22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.


Someone else is like the seed that fell on the good ground. They hear God's word and understand it. They do good things many times more than the seed that was planted. They produce 100, 60, or 30 times as much as was planted.
[23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.



The parable about the enemy who planted weeds in the wheat field.

 

The enemy plants weeds in the wheat field.
From
LaVista Church of Christ

This was another parable that Jesus told them. This parable is about a man who planted good seed in his field.
The man planted good seed, but when he was sleeping, his enemy came and planted weeds with the good wheat seeds. Then his enemy left.

When the wheat started to grow, there was wheat, but there were weeds, too.  The man's servants came to talk to him.   They said he planted good seeds, so where did the weeds come from? The man told his servants that his enemy had done this.   The servants asked him if they should go and pull the weeds.  The man said no. If they pull the weeds, they will also pull up the good wheat. The man told them to wait until harvest time.  Then he will tell the people who are reaping the wheat to first pick the weeds. They will tie them into bundles and burn them. Then, they can put the good wheat in the man's barn.

[24] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which 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 blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
[27] 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?
[28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
[29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
[30] 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.



The parable about a mustard seed.


This is another parable that Jesus told them.  He said that the kingdom of heaven is like a tiny mustard seed.  A man planted a mustard seed in his field. A mustard seed is the smallest seed, but when it grows, it is the largest plant.  It grows and becomes a tree that the birds of the air can sit on and rest.
[31] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
[32] 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.



The parable about yeast in bread.


This is another parable that Jesus told them.  He said the kingdom of heaven is like leaven (yeast).  A woman took some yeast.  She put it in 3 parts of the bread so that the whole bread raised.

[33] 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.
 


Jesus explains the parables.


Jesus told the crowd many parables.  That is the only way He talked to them.
[34] All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:


That fulfilled a prophecy. The prophecy said, "I will open My mouth and tell parables. I will tell things which have been secret since the world was created."
[35] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.


Jesus sent the crowd away and went into the house. His disciples went into the house with him.  They asked Him to explain to them the parable about the weeds in the wheat field.

[36] Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.


He said that the man who planted the good seed is the Son of man.  The field is the world. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. But the weeds are children of Satan.
[37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
[38] 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 planted the weeds is Satan.  The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are the angels.

[39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
 

The weeds were picked and burned in the fire. That is like the end of the world.
[40] 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 will send His angels, and they will pick out the people and things that do bad things.  They will be thrown out into a fiery furnace.  There will a lot of loud crying and gnashing of teeth.
[41] 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;
[42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.


Then the good and righteous people will shine like the sun in the Father's kingdom. Everyone who has ears should listen to Me.
[43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.


The parable about a gem hidden in a field.
 

A man finds a treasure hidden in a field.
From
LaVista Church of Christ

The kingdom of heaven is also like a treasure hidden in a field.  A man finds the treasure, then hides it in the field again.  Then, he goes and sells everything he has so that he can buy the field.
[44] 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.


The kingdom of heaven is also like a store owner who is looking for valuable pearls.  When he finds a pearl at a great price, he sells everything he has and buys it.
[45] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
[46] Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.



The parable about the fishermen's net


The kingdom of heaven is also like a net that fishermen use. The net is thrown into the sea and catches every kind of fish. When the net is full, the fishermen pull it to shore. Then, they sit down and put the good fish into containers. But they throw the bad fish away.

[47] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
[48] Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.


That is what will happen at the end of the world. The angels will come and divide the wicked people from the good people. They will throw the bad people into the fire. There will be loud crying and teeth gnashing.
[49] So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
[50] And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.



The parable about the man who owns a house.



Jesus asked them if they understood everything. They said yes.  Then He said that every person who learns about the kingdom of heaven is like a man who owns a house. The man brings out all of his old and new valuable treasures. 
 
[51] Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
[52] Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
 

After Jesus finished these parables, He left.
[53] And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.


 



Jesus goes to His home area, but the people do not believe in Him.


When Jesus went to his home area, He taught the people in the synagogue. The people were amazed.  They asked each other who this was that did such great things and was so smart.  They said this was the son of the carpenter and Mary.  His brothers were James, Joses, Simon, and Judas. His sisters were still living there.  They wondered how Jesus knew all of these things.
[54] And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
[55] Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
[56] And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?


The people were not happy with Jesus.  Jesus said that a prophet is not honored by his own area and family. They will be honored by everyone else.

[57] And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.


Jesus knew the people there didn't believe in Him, so He didn't do anymore miracles there.
[58] And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.