Parables of Jesus
The Mustard Seed
Kingdom of Heaven
Read: Matthew 13:31-32 Mark 4:30-32 Luke 13:18-19
SeeThe Parable of the Mustard Seed is one of the shorter parables of Jesus. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, it is immediately followed by the Parable of the Leaven, which shares this parable's theme of the Kingdom of Heaven growing from small beginnings.
The plant referred to here is thought to be black mustard, a large annual plant up to 9 feet tall, but growing from a very small seed. Jews did not grow the plant in gardens] and this is consistent with Matthew's description of it growing in a field. (The fact that Luke tells the parable with the plant in a garden suggests he had edited the story for an audience outside Palestine.
The parable suggests the growth of the kingdom of God from tiny beginnings to worldwide size. The Parable of the Leaven, which immediately follows in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke , has a similar theme of large growth from small beginnings. The nesting birds may refer to Old Testament texts which emphasize the universal reach of God's empire. Other commentators have suggested that the birds represent Gentiles seeking refuge with Israel or the "sinners" and tax collectors with whom Jesus was associating.
It has been suggested that the mustard plant demonstrates that while the kingdom appeared small like a seed during Jesus' ministry, it would inexorably grow into something large and firmly rooted, which some would find shelter in and others would find obnoxious and try to root out.
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"The Mustard Seed"
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