Jesus turned round, and pointing to the disciple nearest him, said:  “To you is it granted to know the Kingdom of Heaven.  To the others it can only be explained through parables.  For the Kingdom of God is not built of wood or stone like a temple, it cannot be conquered like an earthly empire, it cannot be seen by mortal eyes like a garden of flowers, neither can we say it is here or there.  The Kingdom of God must be conquered with the power of the will, and he who is strong and constant will gain it.  His eye and his hand must be continually set to the plough which makes furrows in the kingdom of earth for the great harvest.  He who sets his hand to the plough, and looks at something else, he is not dedicated to the Kingdom of God.  But to him who earnestly seeks it, it comes overnight.  The seed thrown on the field yesterday has sprung up—­man knows not how.  The seed is the Word of God which was scattered on all sides.  Part falls on the wayside, and the birds devour it.  Part falls among thorns, and is choked.  A part falls on a thin covering of earth, it comes up but is parched by the hot sun.  Only a very small quantity falls on rich earth and bears much fruit.  So it is with the tidings of God.  Evil inclinations devour it, earthly cares choke it, burning passions parch it, but the heart that desires God receives it, and with him the word becomes the Kingdom of Heaven.”

More and more heads were lifted up.  “He is speaking.”  Then all bestirred themselves and listened.

Jesus raised His voice and went on; “Some of you who listen to Me have the Kingdom of Heaven within you.  But be careful!  The enemy comes in the night and sows weeds.  Hear more.  The word is like a grain of mustard-seed.  It is the smallest of all seeds, and yet it becomes the biggest tree.  Perhaps without your knowledge a word has fallen into your heart.  You are scarcely aware of it, you pass it by, but it grows secretly, and all at once enlightenment is there, and you have the Kingdom of Heaven.  Then, again, it is like yeast, and stirs up and changes your whole being.  The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.  A man finds it and buys the field.  And it is like a pearl for which a merchant gives all his wealth.  But it is also like a lamp which a man must feed with oil lest it be extinguished.  If it goes out, you will have no light, and suddenly comes the attack.  And hear this also:  the Lord of the Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who at urgent request remits all his slave’s debts.  But the slave does not remit his debtor’s debt, but lets him be cast into prison.  So the king summons him before his judgment-seat and says:  I have shown you mercy, and you have shown your fellow no mercy.  So now I shall have you put upon the rack until you have paid me your debts to the last farthing.  Who does not show mercy to others, to him shall no mercy be shown.”

Jesus was silent, and a shudder of terror passed through the crowd.  John went to the man who had just questioned Him, and said:  “Do you understand now what He means by the Kingdom of God?”