¶It happened soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching proclaiming and bringing sharing the good news of the Kingdom of God. With him were the twelve,

and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;

and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others; who served them from their possessions.

When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable.

Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit one hundred times.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

¶Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?”

¶He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’^*

¶“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light.^[a]

¶His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd.

It was told him by some saying, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.”

¶But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.”