²¹Jesus said to them, “Does anyone bring a lamp into a room to put it under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a lamp stand? ²²There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. There is nothing kept secret that will not come to light. ²³Let the person who has ears listen!”

²⁴He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you’re listening to! ⸤Knowledge⸥ will be measured out to you by the measure ⸤of attention⸥ you give. This is the way knowledge increases. ²⁵Those who understand ⸤these mysteries⸥ will be given ⸤more knowledge⸥. However, some people don’t understand ⸤these mysteries⸥. Even what they understand will be taken away from them.”

A Story about Seeds That Grow

²⁶Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seeds on the ground. ²⁷He sleeps at night and is awake during the day. The seeds sprout and grow, although the man doesn’t know how. ²⁸The ground produces grain by itself. First the green blade appears, then the head, then the head full of grain. ²⁹As soon as the grain is ready, he cuts it with a sickle, because harvest time has come.”

A Story about a Mustard Seed—Matthew 13:31–32; Luke 13:18–19

³⁰Jesus asked, “How can we show what God’s kingdom is like? To what can we compare it? ³¹It’s like a mustard seed planted in the ground. The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds on earth. ³²However, when planted, it comes up and becomes taller than all the garden plants. It grows such large branches that birds can nest in its shade.”

³³Jesus spoke ⸤God’s⸥ word to them using many illustrations like these. In this way people could understand what he taught. ³⁴He did not speak to them without using an illustration. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

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