13 even that he hath.* Therefore speak I to them in parables :† because they seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not, neither do 14 they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive. § 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and

* Those who faithfully improve their privileges shall have more light and knowledge.

† Instructing by parables was common in eastern and ancient writers and speakers: and it is pertinent and convineing. Though somewhat difficult to be understood, they may be by careful attention and inquiry. It was evidently proper to address the Jews in this manner, as their moral character was. For, if they chose not to inquire and understand, as evidently they did not; then they were justly lef in ignorance. And had they been attentive and well disposed, they would have been induced to learn the meaning of the parables.

Because they overlook what they see, they are inattentive to what they hear, and they are not careful to understand.

§ They shall certainly hear, but shall not understand; they shall see, but will not perceive.

This verse supplies us with the reason why Christ spake to the people in parables-And verse 12th, above, declares the rule of proceeding with men, which we must allow to be just, that according as they improve or misimprove privileges, so others will be granted, or means taken to blind them-the punishment for their former wickedness.

17 your ears for they hear. For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.*

18

Understand ye therefore the parable of the 19 sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom,† and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is 20 he who received seed by the way-side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and at once 21 receives it with joy; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while for when tribulation, or persecution ariseth because of 22 the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word; and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the 23 word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground, is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty.

There was a general expectation in the world of the coming of some great prophet to reveal the will of God to man, and holy men among the Jews particularly had long been desirous of the appearance of the Messiah.

† Of the gospel, or the doctrines concerning the kingdom of heaven. When through inattention and carelessness, any one does not understand it, then the wicked one takes it away: that is, leads them to forget it.

24

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven may be likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his 25 field. But while men slept, his enemy came

and sowed tares among the wheat, and went 26 his way. But when the blade was sprung up,

and brought forth fruit, then appeared the 27 tares also. So the servants of the householder came, and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence 28 then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.* The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and 29 gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest,

while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also 30 the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them but gather the wheat into my barn.

31

Another parable he put forth unto them,, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and 32 sowed in his field : Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but, when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree,

* Thus it is plainly asserted, contrary to the opinions of some, that moral evil comes not from God, but from the great adversary of souls. We are also instructed by this passage, not to be very rigid in discipline, lest we separate those from the church of Christ, who are really the children of God.

33

so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Another parable he spake unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of 34 meal, till the whole was leavened.* All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto 35 them : That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of 36 the world. Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable 37 of the tares of the field. He answered and

said unto them, He that soweth the good seed 38 is the Son of man; the field is the world;

the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked 39 one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world ;* and the 40 reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares

are gathered and burnt in the fire; so shall it 41 be in the end of this world; the Son of man

shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and 42 them who do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing 43 and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righ

* Some of these parables have reference to the rapid pregress of Christianity in the heathen world.

† Or the conclusion of the Jewish state.

4.4.

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teous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath cars to hear let him bear.*

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; which, when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thercof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto 46 a merchant-man seeking goodly pearls: Who when he had found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

47

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered 48 of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the 49 good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So

shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from 50 among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and 51 gnashing of teeth. Then Jesus saith unto them,

Have ye understood all these things? They 52 say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man that is an householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

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And it came to pass, that when Jesus had

* The doctrine contained in this parable is most solemn and impressive. Here we are taught that Christ will finally judge the world in righteousness, and render to every one according to their deeds.