OCTOBER 15, 2025 PORTALS OF PRAYER READINGS
Matthew 13:1-23
The Parable of the Sower
13 That
same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he
got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And
as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured
them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky
ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up,
since they had no depth of soil, 6 but
when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered
away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns,
and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other
seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty,
some thirty. 9 He who has ears,[a] let him
hear.”
The Purpose of the Parables
10 Then the disciples came and said to him,
“Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And
he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the
secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he
will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be
taken away. 13 This is why I speak to
them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear,
nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in
their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and
you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
and
with their ears they can barely hear,
and
their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and
hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and
turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are
your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For
truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you
see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom
and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been
sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the
one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a
while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word,
immediately he falls away.[b] 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one
who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches
choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As
for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and
understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in
another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Footnotes
- Matthew 13:9 Some
manuscripts add here and in verse 43 to hear
- Matthew 13:21 Or
stumbles
Psalm 119:33-40
He
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and
I will keep it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your
law
and
observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for
I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and
not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless
things;
and
give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
that
you may be feared.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for
your rules are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts;
in
your righteousness give me life!
Footnotes
- Psalm 119:33 Or keep
it as my reward
ESV® - The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©
2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights
reserved.
Source for Bible text - www.biblegateway.com
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