The Leaven

33 He spoke another parable to them, “aThe kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in bthree 1pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”

34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them awithout a parable.

35 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“aI will open My mouth in parables;

I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”

The Tares Explained

36 Then He left the crowds and went into athe house. And His disciples came to Him and said, “bExplain to us the parable of the 1tares of the field.”

37 And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is athe Son of Man,

38 and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are athe sons of the kingdom; and the tares are bthe sons of cthe evil one;

39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is athe 1end of the age; and the reapers are angels.

40 “So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at athe 1end of the age.

41 “aThe Son of Man bwill send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom 1all cstumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,

42 and awill throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place bthere will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

43 “aThen the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. bHe who has ears, 1let him hear.