Matthew 13:36-50

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds

³⁶ Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” ³⁷ He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; ³⁸ the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one,^{(A) 39} and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.^{(B) 40} Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.^{(C) 41} The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin^[a] and all evildoers,^{(D) 42} and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^{(E) 43} Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears^[b] listen!^(F)

Three Parables

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.^(G)

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; ⁴⁶ on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

⁴⁷ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind;^{(H) 48} when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. ⁴⁹ So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous^{(I) 50} and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^(J)