JESUS INTERPRETS THE PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND THE WEEDS

36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”g

37 He replied, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world; and the good seed—these are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one,h 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.i 40 Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.j 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all who cause sinE and those guilty of lawlessness.F,k 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnacel where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.m 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Let anyone who has earsG listen.n

THE PARABLES OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE AND OF THE PRICELESS PEARL

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.o

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one pricelessH pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.p

THE PARABLE OF THE NET

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea. It collected every kind of fish,q 48 and when it was full, they dragged it ashore, sat down, and gathered the good fish into containers, but threw out the worthless ones. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out, separate the evil people from the righteous,r 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.s

THE STOREHOUSE OF TRUTH

51 “Have you understood all these things?”I

They answered him, “Yes.”