31. Jesus told the crowd another story. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Someone took the seed and planted it in a field.
32. It is the smallest of all your seeds. But when it grows, it is the largest of all garden plants. It becomes a tree. Birds come and rest in its branches."
33. Jesus told them still another story. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast," he said. "A woman mixed it into a large amount of flour. The yeast worked its way all through the dough."
34. Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd by using stories. He did not say anything to them without telling a story.
35. So the words spoken by the prophet came true. He had said, "I will open my mouth and tell stories. I will speak about things that were hidden since the world was made." (Psalm 78:2)
36. Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him. They said, "Explain to us the story of the weeds in the field."
37. He answered, "The one who planted the good seed is the Son of Man.
38. The field is the world. The good seed stands for the people who belong to the kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.
39. The enemy who plants them is the devil. The harvest is judgment day. And the workers are angels.
40. "The weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire. That is how it will be on judgment day.
41. The Son of Man will send out his angels. They will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin. They will also get rid of all who do evil.
42. They will throw them into the blazing furnace. There people will sob and grind their teeth.
43. Then God's people will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Those who have ears should listen.
44. "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure that was hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again. He was very happy. So he went and sold everything he had. And he bought that field.