28. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
29. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
30. Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?
31. It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.
32. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
33. With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.
34. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
35. That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
36. Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.
37. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
38. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39. He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.