Matthew 13:24-35 Lesson 26

Matthew 13:24-35 Lesson 26

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this Lesson

Weeds, mustard seeds, and bread.

Study Tip:

It helps to study more than one Bible translation.
As you read, scroll back and forth between the "King James Version" and the "New Living Translation" below.

Also, check the "margin notes" in blue and click on the links.

The Gospel According to St. Matthew

The King James Bible

Matthew 13:24-35
More parables

24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27So 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?

28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30Let 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.

31Another 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:

32Which 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.

33Another 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.

34All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

35That 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.

Margin notes:

"His enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat." (13:25) - "And sowed tares" is translated from the original Greek "epespeiren ta zizania." Zizania is a form of degenerate wheat sometimes called "false wheat." Zizania looks like real wheat when it first sprouts but as it grows, its grain turns black, and it becomes easier to spot and be weeded out. Since Jesus' audience would have known this, it was an easily understood analogy to highlight an important point. This is sometimes referred to as the "good seed" parable. Read question one below.

"The least of all seeds." (13:32) - The mustard seed is tiny compared to other seeds but grows into a fifteen-foot tall plant when mature.

"Leaven." (13:33) - Yeast or other fermenting agent added to dough to make it rise. A small piece of dough from each baking was saved to make the next baking raise.

"Hid in three measures of meal." (13:33) - "Mixed in three measures of flour."

"I will open my mouth in parables..." (13:35) - As prophesied in Psalm 78:2 centuries before Jesus was born.

New Living Translation

Matthew 13:24-35
Parable of the Wheat and Weeds

24 Here is another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.

25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.

26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

27 "The farmer's workers went to him and said, 'Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?'

28 "'An enemy has done this!' the farmer exclaimed.

  "'Should we pull out the weeds?' they asked.

29 "'No,' he replied, 'you'll uproot the wheat if you do.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.'"

Parable of the Mustard Seed

31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.

32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches."

Parable of the Yeast

33 Jesus also used this illustration: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough."

34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. 35 This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:

  "I will speak to you in parables.
    I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world."

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. What is the meaning of the "good seed" parable? (13:24)

2. What is the point of the "mustard seed" parable? (13:31-32)

A vital purpose of these lessons is to create an interest in the Bible, so spend time each day exploring the Scriptures on your own.

Answers: (Do you agree?)

1. Like all the parables in this chapter, the "good seed" parable teaches about God and His kingdom. By preaching the Gospel, Jesus is likened to the farmer who sows nothing but good seed (believers) in the field (world). But his enemy (Satan) came and planted tares (unbelievers). When asked what to do, the farmer (Jesus) says, "let both grow together until the harvest" (final judgment). Then the good will be separated from the evil by the reapers (angels), and all will be made right. Jesus expands on this explanation in verses 13:36-43 (lesson 27).

2. The point of this parable is that mustard seeds grow steadily but quietly. Like the mustard seed which starts so small, the reach of God's kingdom, which began with just twelve disciples, will eventually reach the entire world, Jew and Gentile. The parable of the yeast (verses 13:33-35), teaches a similar lesson, that God's kingdom will grow (leavened by the Gospel). You can also read about the mustard seed in Mark 4:30-34 and Luke 13:18-19.

Application thought for the day:

Make up your own parable to help you understand the message in this passage.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2020 evolke

Subscribe for Free Bible Lessons