Study Desk

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left there to teach and preach in their cities.

Now when John in prison heard about the activities of Christ,[fn] he sent a messagea message">[fn] by his disciplesMatthew 14:3; Luke 7:18-19;">[xr]

Then Jesushe">[fn] began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had taken place, because they didn't repent.Luke 10:13;">[xr]

At that time Jesus walked through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples became hungry and began picking heads of grain to eat.Deuteronomy 23:25; Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1;">[xr]

But he said to them, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?1 Samuel 21:6;">[xr]

How is it that he went into the house of God and ate the Bread of the Presence, which was not lawful for him and his companions to eat but was reservedbut only">[fn] for the priests?Exodus 25:30; 29:32-33; Leviticus 8:31;">[xr]

He will not quarrel or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets.

And in his name the Gentilesnations">[fn] will hope."Isaiah 42:1-4">[fn]

So if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How, then, can his kingdom stand?

How can someone go into a strong man's house and carry off his possessions without first tying up the strong man? Then he can ransack his house.Isaiah 49:24; Luke 11:21-23;">[xr]

While Jesushe">[fn] was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.Matthew 13:55; Mark 3:31; 6:3; Luke 8:19-21; John 2:12; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 1:19;">[xr]

Then pointing with his hand at his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!

When anyone hears the word about the kingdom yet doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.Matthew 4:23;">[xr]

He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

While people were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.

He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field.Isaiah 2:2-3; Micah 4:1; Mark 4:30; Luke 13:18-19;">[xr]

Then Jesushe">[fn] left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable about the weeds in the field."

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom everything that causes others to sin and those who practice lawlessnessMatthew 18:7; 2 Peter 2:1-2;">[xr]

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field that a man found and hid. In his joy he went and sold everything he had and bought that field."Isaiah 55:1; Philippians 3:7-8; Revelation 3:18;">[xr]

Then he told them, "That is why every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings both new and old things out of his treasure chest."Song of Solomon 7:13;">[xr]