1And again he began to teach by the sea side . And there is gathered unto him a very great multitude , so that he entered into a boat , and sat in the sea ; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land . 2And he taught them many things in parables , and said unto them in his teaching , 3Hearken: Behold , the sower went forth to sow : 4and it came to pass , as he sowed , some seed fell by the way side , and the birds came and devoured it . 5And other fell on the rocky ground , where it had not much earth ; and straightway it sprang up , because it had no deepness of earth : 6and when the sun was risen , it was scorched ; and because it had no root , it withered away . 7And other fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up , and choked it , and it yielded no fruit . 8And others fell into the good ground , and yielded fruit , growing up and increasing; and brought forth , thirtyfold , and sixtyfold , and a hundredfold . 9And he said , Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10And when he was alone , they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables . 11And he said unto them , Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God : but unto them that are without , all things are done in parables : 12that seeing they may see , and not perceive ; and hearing they may hear, and not understand ; lest haply they should turn again , and it should be forgiven them . 13And he saith unto them , Know ye not this parable ? and how shall ye know all the parables ? 14The sower soweth the word . 15And these are they by the way side , where the word is sown ; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan , and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them . 16And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places , who , when they have heard the word , straightway receive it with joy ; 17and they have no root in themselves , but endure for a while ; then , when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word , straightway they stumble . 18And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word , 19and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches , and the lusts of other things entering in , choke the word , and it becometh unfruitful. 20And those are they that were sown upon the good ground ; such as hear the word , and accept it , and bear fruit , thirtyfold , and sixtyfold , and a hundredfold .
The Purpose of Parables
21And he said unto them , Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel , or under the bed , and not to be put on the stand? 22For there is nothing hid , save that it should be manifested ; neither was anything made secret , but that it should come to light . 23If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear. 24And he said unto them , Take heed what ye hear : with what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you ; and more shall be given unto you . 25For he that hath , to him shall be given : and he that hath not , from him shall be taken away even that which he hath .
The Parable of the Growing Seed
26And he said , So is the kingdom of God , as if a man should cast seed upon the earth ; 27and should sleep and rise night and day , and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how . 28The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade , then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle , because the harvest is come .
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30And he said , How shall we liken the kingdom of God ? or in what parable shall we set it forth ? 31It is like a grain of mustard seed , which , when it is sown upon the earth , though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth , 32yet when it is sown , groweth up , and becometh greater than all the herbs , and putteth out great branches ; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof. 33And with many such parables spake he the word unto them , as they were able to hear it ; 34and without a parable spake he not unto them : but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things .
Jesus Calms the Storm
35And on that day , when even was come , he saith unto them , Let us go over unto the other side . 36And leaving the multitude , they take him with them , even as he was , in the boat . And other boats were with him . 37And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat , insomuch that the boat was now filling . 38And he himself was in the stern , asleep on the cushion : and they awake him , and say unto him , Teacher , carest thou not that we perish? 39And he awoke , and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea , Peace , be still . And the wind ceased , and there was a great calm . 40And he said unto them , Why are ye fearful ? have ye not yet faith ? 41And they feared exceedingly , and said one to another , Who then is this , that even the wind and the sea obey him ?