34. Jesus said all these things to the crowds in parables, and he spoke to them only in parables.
35. This was to fulfill what the prophet spoke: I’ll speak in parables; I’ll declare what has been hidden since the beginning of the world.
36. Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
37. Jesus replied, "The one who plants the good seed is the Human One.
38. The field is the world. And the good seeds are the followers of the kingdom. But the weeds are the followers of the evil one.
39. The enemy who planted them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the present age. The harvesters are the angels.
40. Just as people gather weeds and burn them in the fire, so it will be at the end of the present age.
41. The Human One will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that cause people to fall away and all people who sin.
42. He will throw them into a burning furnace. People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth.
43. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Those who have ears should hear."
44. “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure that somebody hid in a field, which someone else found and covered up. Full of joy, the finder sold everything and bought that field.
45. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.