The Group With Jesus

8 The next day, Jesus traveled through some cities and small towns. Jesus told the people a message from God, the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him. ² There were also some women with him. Jesus had healed these women of sicknesses and evil spirits. One of them was Mary, who was called Magdalene. Seven demons had come out of her. ³ Also with these women were Joanna, the wife of Chuza (the manager of Herod’s property), Susanna, and many other women. These women used their own money to help Jesus and his apostles.

A Story About a Farmer Sowing Seed^(A)

⁴ A large crowd came together. People came to Jesus from every town, and he told them this story:

⁵ “A farmer went out to sow seed. While he was scattering the seed, some of it fell beside the road. People walked on the seed, and the birds ate it all. ⁶ Other seed fell on rock. It began to grow but then died because it had no water. ⁷ Some other seed fell among thorny weeds. This seed grew, but later the weeds stopped the plants from growing. ⁸ The rest of the seed fell on good ground. This seed grew and made 100 times more grain.”

Jesus finished the story. Then he called out, “You people who hear me, listen!”

⁹ Jesus’ followers asked him, “What does this story mean?”

¹⁰ He said, “You have been chosen to know the secret truths about God’s kingdom. But I use stories to speak to other people. I do this so that

Jesus Explains the Story About Seed^(C)

¹¹ “This is what the story means: The seed is God’s teaching. ¹² Some people are like the seed that fell beside the path. They hear God’s teaching, but then the devil comes and causes them to stop thinking about it. This keeps them from believing it and being saved. ¹³ Others are like the seed that fell on rock. That is like the people who hear God’s teaching and gladly accept it. But they don’t have deep roots. They believe for a while. But when trouble comes, they turn away from God.

¹⁴ “What about the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That is like the people who hear God’s teaching, but they let the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life stop them from growing. So they never produce a crop.^{[a] 15} And what about the seed that fell on the good ground? That is like the people who hear God’s teaching with a good, honest heart. They obey it and patiently produce a good crop.

Use the Understanding You Have^(D)

¹⁶ “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. Instead, they put the lamp on a lampstand so that the people who come in will have enough light to see. ¹⁷ Everything that is hidden will become clear. Every secret thing will be made known, and everyone will see it. ¹⁸ So think carefully about what you are hearing. The people who have some understanding will receive more. But those who do not have understanding will lose even what they think they have.”

Jesus’ Followers Are His True Family^(E)

¹⁹ Jesus’ mother and brothers came to visit him. But they could not get close to him, because there were so many people. ²⁰ Someone said to Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside. They want to see you.”

²¹ Jesus answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who listen to God’s teaching and obey it.”

Jesus’ Followers See His Power^(F)

²² One day Jesus and his followers got into a boat. He said to them, “Come with me across the lake.” And so they started across. ²³ While they were sailing, Jesus slept. A big storm blew across the lake, and the boat began to fill with water. They were in danger. ²⁴ The followers went to Jesus and woke him. They said, “Master! Master! We will drown!”

Jesus got up. He gave a command to the wind and the waves. The wind stopped, and the lake became calm. ²⁵ He said to his followers, “Where is your faith?”

They were afraid and amazed. They said to each other, “What kind of man is this? He commands the wind and the water, and they obey him.”