Definition: And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Matthew 13:3. It’s a really interesting and symbolic way of talking about Jesus’ teachings! Here’s the simple explanation: Basically, it means Jesus is teaching us important lessons through stories. Let’s unpack it further: “He spake many things”: This just means Jesus was speaking a lot. He wasn't going to say just one thing; he was sharing lots of ideas. “unto them”: This refers to the people listening to Jesus – his followers, believers, and anyone who’s open to what he has to teach. “Saying, Behold…” “Behold” is a Greek word that means "let me see." It's an invitation or a signal to start telling a story. So, the whole verse is saying: "Jesus is going to tell us stories – often using examples and narratives – about important things like faith, hope, and what it means to follow him." What’s the “story”? The verse describes Jesus sending a sower out to plant seeds. A sower is someone who's dedicated to planting something. This is a very powerful image because: It represents God’s plan for our lives. Planting seeds means we’re being planted with a purpose – a path of faith and righteousness. The “seeds” are the things that matter in life - like love, kindness, forgiveness, etc. “He spake many things…” – Jesus is giving us a whole lot of information about these important things. In short, it's a metaphor for Jesus’ teaching and how he’s trying to help us understand and live the best life possible! --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you a specific example of how this verse applies to your life?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this Bible verse! It’s a pretty poetic and symbolic passage from Matthew 13:30. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it's about growing together, but with a specific focus on things that are good and valuable. Here’s a breakdown of the key parts: “Let both grow together until the harvest”: This suggests a relationship between two things – perhaps faith and good works, or hope and action. It means they're meant to flourish together, supporting each other. “…and in the time of harvest I will say…” This is where it gets interesting. “Harvest” represents a time of abundance and completion. "I will say" indicates that this time is specifically when God decides what to do. “Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them:” This describes the task of dealing with something that’s hindering growth – things like sin, negativity, or bad habits. "The tares" are weeds or things that grow where we shouldn't, and they need to be removed. “Bind them in bundles” means to control and manage them, preventing them from spreading further. “To burn them” symbolizes purifying or removing these undesirable elements. “…but gather the wheat into my barn.” This is the crucial part! The author is offering a promise – God will take care of things that are harmful and allow good things to flourish. He's saying, "I'll use this time to focus on what’s truly important - the things that bring us closer to Him." Overall Meaning & Interpretation: This verse speaks about a process of spiritual growth. It emphasizes that while we might have some challenges and weeds (negative influences) in our lives, God promises to guide us towards good and fulfilling outcomes. He's offering a time of focused effort – tending to what's beneficial – to eventually produce a bountiful harvest of righteousness and ultimately, with God’s blessing, bring about a complete and glorious outcome. It’s a message of hope and trust! It suggests that even when things are difficult, there is an opportunity for something beautiful and rewarding to blossom. Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail with examples? Discuss the symbolism behind the "tares" and "wheat"? Connect it to a specific biblical story or concept?

Definition: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really interesting and symbolic one! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Think of it like this: “The kingdom of heaven…” – This refers to God’s Kingdom, which is the ultimate goal of faith and life. It’s not a physical place, but a state of being – a perfect, holy world where God reigns supreme. “…put he forth…” - Jesus is telling a story! He’s introducing a new way to understand something important. “unto them” - This refers to the people listening to him. “saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is…’” – He’s explaining what the kingdom of heaven is . “like a grain of mustard seed…” – This is the key part! A “grain of mustard seed” is incredibly small, but it grows into something HUGE. It's like a tiny beginning that can grow into something massive. “…which a man took…” - Jesus is comparing this kingdom to something very ordinary and personal – a single grain of mustard seed. “and sowed in his field:” - He’s explaining how we should grow the kingdom of heaven. Just like you plant a seed, we need to put our faith and good deeds into action. So, the whole verse is saying: The kingdom of God isn't something huge or distant; it starts small – with just one tiny grain of mustard seed. It’s growing over time through our actions, our choices, and our faith. We need to nurture it, cultivate it, and let it flourish. In a nutshell: The kingdom of God is like a tiny beginning that can become something enormous when we dedicate ourselves to it. --- Do you want me to elaborate on any part of this explanation? For example, would you like me to: Explain the metaphor of the seed in more detail? Talk about how this verse relates to our daily lives?

Definition: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 13:32. It's a really interesting and symbolic way to talk about growth and purpose! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes how something small and seemingly insignificant can eventually become incredibly valuable and flourishing. It’s about potential and transformation . Let’s unpack the parts: “Which indeed is the least of all seeds…” : Think of a tiny seed – it's very small, right? It doesn’t have much to begin with. “…but when it is grown…” : This is the key! It's not just about the seed itself; it's about growth . As the seed grows, it becomes something bigger and better. “it is the greatest among herbs…” : Growing into a plant means becoming more complex, more full of life, and stronger. It’s moving beyond its original small size. “…and becometh a tree…” : A tree is strong, resilient, and provides shade and shelter. This illustrates that the growth will lead to something beneficial – something that offers comfort, support, and beauty. “so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” : Finally, this describes the result . The growing plant becomes a place where birds can nest and thrive. It’s about being filled with life and offering shelter to others. In essence, the verse is saying that even small beginnings can lead to great results when nurtured and developed. What does it mean in a broader sense? This imagery has been interpreted as a metaphor for our own lives. We all start somewhere – maybe just a single idea, a small effort, or a moment of inspiration. But if we nurture that initial seed (our talents, passions, or efforts), it can blossom into something truly significant and impactful. Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of how this idea applies to your own life?

Definition: Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together! It’s a really interesting and symbolic passage from Matthew. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about how God’s kingdom (His plan for the world) grows and spreads – much like yeast in bread dough. Let’s unpack each part: “Another parable spake he unto them…” - This means Jesus is telling a story, a parable. Parables are stories designed to teach us deeper truths about God and our lives. “…The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven…” – This is the key! "Leaven" is a really important word in baking. It’s what makes bread rise. In this context, it represents something inside us that changes everything. “Which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal…” - This describes how the kingdom grows. A woman takes yeast – she's adding something to the dough that causes it to multiply and become bigger. Jesus is saying the kingdom grows through our actions, beliefs, and relationships with others. “…till the whole was leavened.” - When the yeast is added, the bread doesn’t just rise a little. It rises completely . The entire loaf of bread becomes much bigger and more delicious than it was before. The kingdom grows completely – it's fully formed and ready to be shared with everyone. So, what does this all mean? Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God isn’t just a distant idea. It’s growing inside us, transforming our lives, and spreading throughout the world. It’s like a seed that grows into a plant – it doesn't stop at one point; it expands and flourishes. In short: The kingdom of heaven is like yeast – it begins small but grows rapidly and completely, eventually making everything bigger and more blessed. Does that make sense? Do you want me to go deeper into any particular part of this verse, or would you like a simpler explanation of the overall message? For example, we could talk about: What does "leaven" represent in general? How does this relate to our own lives and how we can grow God’s kingdom?

Definition: All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important verse from Matthew 13:34. It's a really fascinating and symbolic passage! Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: Jesus is teaching with stories – parables – instead of just explaining things directly. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude” : This means Jesus was speaking to a group of people (the "multitude"). It's like he was addressing everyone present. “In parables” : This is the key word! “Parables” are stories designed to teach and illustrate important lessons, but they’re not meant to be taken literally. They use imagery and examples to make a point that’s easier to understand. “And without a parable spake he not unto them” : This is the most profound part. Jesus didn’t tell them a story. He didn't use an example or illustration to explain anything. What does this mean? It's suggesting that Jesus was using powerful, imaginative stories to convey deeper truths about God, faith, and our relationship with Him. He wasn't just telling them what to think; he was showing them how to understand it through a relatable experience. Why is this important? This verse highlights that: Stories are powerful: Jesus understood the power of storytelling to connect with people on a deeper level than just words alone. Understanding requires imagination: It encourages us to think beyond the obvious and consider ways to grasp complex ideas through creative examples. In short, Jesus was using stories to teach, and he didn’t use them to simply explain – he used them to reveal truth! --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific parable from Matthew 13? (I can tell you about one that's particularly relevant.) Discuss the symbolism behind these stories?

Definition: 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 the world.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 13:35. It’s a really fascinating and symbolic passage about Jesus revealing God’s plan to us. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Jesus is saying that he’s going to use stories and examples to teach us important truths about God and His kingdom. Let’s unpack the parts: “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet…” – This refers to a prophecy (a prediction) made by an ancient Jewish prophet. This prophet said something like, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” “…saying, I will open my mouth in parables…” – This means Jesus is going to tell stories! He’s going to use narratives and illustrations to explain complex ideas. “I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world” - This is the most important part! "The foundation of the world" refers to the very beginning of time and everything that exists. So, Jesus is saying that he’s going to reveal profound truths about God's plan – things that have been hidden for a long, long time – through his stories. So, what does this all mean? Jesus is promising to use stories and examples to teach us about: God’s Plan: He wants to share His purpose in the world. The Kingdom of God: He’s revealing a new way of life that's far greater than anything we can imagine. Truth Beyond Our Understanding: These stories are designed to help us understand deeper truths about who God is and what’s truly important. It’s like a secret message from the beginning of time, revealed through Jesus. In short, it's a powerful promise that Jesus will use his words – especially through stories – to teach us about the most important things in life. --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you'd like me to answer? For example: Are you curious about what kind of stories he might tell? Would you like me to give an example of a story he might use?

Definition: Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that passage from Matthew 13:36. It's a really interesting and symbolic story! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, Jesus is telling a story about people who are trying to understand something difficult. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Then Jesus sent the multitude away…” – This means Jesus was busy or needed some space. He wasn't just talking to a small group of people; he was dealing with a large crowd. “…and went into the house…” – Jesus is retreating into a private, safe place. “And his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.” – This is the key part! Disciples (the followers of Jesus) are coming to him, and they're asking him to explain something. The word “parable” means a story used to teach a lesson. The Parable of the Tares: Jesus then tells them a story about a field full of straw – tares – that was being blown around by the wind. It’s a very vivid image: “The tares were all mixed up, and some were taller than others.” - This means things aren't always perfect or in their best shape. There are different levels of something (like people or ideas). “And when the wind blew hard, they all scattered about.” – This represents challenges and difficult times in life. Things that are good and positive can be disrupted by problems. Jesus’s Message: Jesus is using this story to teach us a crucial lesson: "It's okay to have things that aren't perfect." - The tares represent our lives, or even our feelings, or our relationships. They are messy and sometimes chaotic. “We need to be patient and trust in God’s plan.” – Jesus is saying that life isn’t always easy. There will be difficult times (the tares). But we should not give up; we need to have faith and wait for things to settle down, just like the seeds of a plant need time to grow. In short, Jesus is telling us to: Be patient. Trust in God's plan, even when things are tough. Don’t be discouraged by difficulties. It's a reminder that life is full of challenges, but we should have faith and hope for what’s to come. --- Would you like me to: Explain another part of this passage? Discuss the meaning of the parable in more detail?

Definition: He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 13:37: “He that sows the good seed is the Son of man.” Here's a simple explanation in plain language: Essentially, it means that those who are kind, helpful, and responsible with their lives and actions are like farmers who plant seeds. Let’s unpack that a little further: “He that sows…” – This refers to someone who is actively working for good. It's about doing good things. “…the good seed…” - This represents something positive, like kindness, generosity, truthfulness, or helping others. It’s a small thing, but it has the potential to grow into something big. “is the Son of man” – This is a bit more symbolic and intriguing. The Bible often uses metaphors to describe Jesus. In this context, “Son of Man” refers to Jesus Christ. It suggests that those who are truly good and compassionate are connected to him in some way. So, the whole verse is saying: Those who consistently act with kindness, generosity, and a desire to do good – they’re like farmers planting seeds that will eventually grow into something wonderful. In short, it's an encouragement to live a virtuous life and be a positive influence on the world. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some examples of what "good seed" might look like?

Definition: The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked [one];

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 13:38. It’s a really important and relatable image! Here's what it means in simple terms: Imagine a field – a vast, open space where people live. This verse is talking about the spiritual world, specifically our lives and the choices we make. “The field is the world” : This represents everything around us – our families, our community, our society, even our own lives. It's the place where God created us to live. “The good seed are the children of the kingdom” : These are the people who are living right and true to God’s will. They’re the ones who follow His teachings, act with kindness, and strive for goodness. Think of them as little sprouts growing strong and healthy – they're actively working towards a positive future. “But the tares are the children of the wicked [one]” : This is where it gets interesting! The tares are like weeds and things that aren’t good, like selfishness, doubt, or bad choices. They grow quickly and spread across the field – they're a messiness and distraction. They pull away from the good seed. So, what does this mean for us? The verse is telling us that we all face challenges and difficult times in our lives. We’re all susceptible to things that are not good and don’t align with God's plan. These “tares” represent temptation, negativity, worry, or anything that pulls us away from the light of God. The important takeaway is: It's essential to stay focused on the good seeds – those who are growing in faith and goodness – and to resist the distractions and negative influences that try to take root. In short, it’s a reminder to be vigilant against temptation and to prioritize staying aligned with God’s will. Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Give you some examples of how we can deal with the "tares" in our own lives?