Study Desk

Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "^(C1)The kingdom of heaven ^(F1)is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

"But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed ^(F1)weeds among the wheat, and left.

"And when the ^(F1)wheat sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also became evident.

"And the slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? ^(F1)How then does it have weeds?'

"And he said to them, '^(F1)An enemy has done this!' The slaves ^(*)said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?'

"But he ^(*)said, 'No; while you are gathering up the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.

'Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them; but ^(C1)gather the wheat into my barn."'"

Then He left the crowds and went into ^(C1)the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "^(C2)Explain to us the parable of the ^(F1)weeds of the field."

And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is ^(C1)the Son of Man,

and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are ^(C1)the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are ^(C2)the sons of ^(C3)the evil one;

and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is ^(C1)the ^(F1)end of the age; and the reapers are angels.

"So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at ^(C1)the ^(F1)end of the age.

"^(C1)The Son of Man ^(C2)will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom ^(F1)all ^(C3)stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,

and they ^(C1)will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place ^(C2)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

"^(C1)Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH LIKE THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. ^(C2)The one who has ears, ^(F1)let him hear.