Saying 21: The Parables of the Field, the Bandits, and the Reaper

1Mary said to Jesus, “What are your disciples like?”

2He said, “They are like little children living in a field that is not theirs. When the owners of the field come, they will say, ‘Give our field back to us.’ The children will strip naked in front of them to let them have it and give them their field.

3“So I say that if the owner of the house realizes the bandit is coming, the owner will keep watch beforehand and will not let the bandit break into the house of their domain and steal their possessions. You, then, watch out for the world! Prepare to defend yourselves so that the bandits do not attack you, because what you are expecting will come. May there be a wise person among you!

4“When the fruit ripened, the reaper came quickly, sickle in hand, and harvested it. Anyone who has ears to hear should hear!”