Matthew 13:31, 32 - The Parable of the Mustard Seed.
Mat 13:31, 32: The Parable of the Mustard Seed.
Mat 13:31, 32 (NLT) Here is another illustration Jesus used:
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It
is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden
plants and grows into a tree where birds can come and find shelter in
its branches."
DEVOTIONAL PEARL
No one parable can completely describe God's kingdom in all its
aspects, so Jesus gave several. Through this parable, Jesus explained
that his kingdom would have a small beginning. Indeed, it began with
Jesus alone and, upon his ascension, was left in the care of twelve
apostles and just a few hundred other followers. Jesus compared this
beginning to the mustard seed, which was the smallest seed that a farmer
used. The mustard seed was so small that it would take almost twenty
thousand seeds to make one ounce. Modern critics have pointed out that
the mustard seed is not the smallest seed, and they use this to
argue against the accuracy of the Bible. Jesus was not making a
scientific statement. Though the mustard seed is not the smallest seed in
all of creation, it was used in rabbinic proverbs to designate the
smallest of things. No other seed so small produced such a large plant.
From this very tiny seed would grow a large shrub--the largest shrub
among all the herbs that the farmer would plant in his garden. A
mustard shrub could grow ten to twelve feet in just a few weeks. While
that is not technically a tree, Jesus used hyperbole to stress both
the insignificance ("smallest") and magnificence ("largest," "tree")
of the kingdom. His point was that just as a tiny seed will grow
into the largest of garden plants, so God's kingdom will produce many
people who truly believe. From this small start, the kingdom will grow
into such greatness that when Christ returns, it will take over the
entire earth. Jesus stressed the future greatness of the kingdom, which
then seemed insignificant. He also showed that the kingdom had small
beginnings but would grow and produce great results. [Life Application
Commentary]
As Jesus spoke this parable, the mustard plant could be seen far
and near, lifting itself above the grass and grain, and waving its
branches lightly in the air. Birds flitted from twig to twig, and sang
amid the leafy foliage. Yet the seed from which sprang this giant
plant was among the least of all seeds. At first it sent up a tender
shoot, but it was of strong vitality, and grew and flourished until it
reached its present great size. So the kingdom of Christ in its
beginning seemed humble and insignificant. Compared with earthly kingdoms
it appeared to be the least of all. By the rulers of this world
Christ's claim to be a king was ridiculed. Yet in the mighty truths
committed to His followers the kingdom of the gospel possessed a divine
life. And how rapid was its growth, how widespread its influence!...
So the work of grace in the heart is small in its beginning. A word
is spoken, a ray of light is shed into the soul, an influence is
exerted that is the beginning of the new life; and who can measure its
results?... Not only is the growth of Christ's kingdom illustrated by the
parable of the mustard seed, but in every stage of its growth the
experience represented in the parable is repeated. For His church in every
generation God has a special truth and a special work. The truth that is
hid from the worldly wise and prudent is revealed to the child-like
and humble. It calls for self-sacrifice. It has battles to fight and
victories to win. At the outset its advocates are few..... And in this last
generation the parable of the mustard seed is to reach a signal and
triumphant fulfillment. The little seed will become a tree. The last
message of warning and mercy is to go to "every nation and kindred and
tongue" (Rev. 14:6-14), "to take out of them a people for His name"
(Acts 15:14; Rev. 18:1). And the earth shall be lightened with His
glory. {COL 77-79}
THE FOLLOWING IS FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE DEEPER STUDY:
CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word
Study:
Mat 13:31, 32 (KJV) Another parable put he forth unto them,
saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which
a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of
all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and
becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the
branches thereof.
Mat 13:31, 32 (NLT) Here is another illustration Jesus used:
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It
is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden
plants and grows into a tree where birds can come and find shelter in
its branches."
Mat 13:31, 32 (AMP) Another story by way of comparison He set
forth before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of
mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Of all the seeds
it is the smallest, but when it has grown it is the largest of the
garden herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and
find shelter in its branches.
Mat 13:31, 32 (CWR) Jesus illustrated the kingdom of God still
another way. He said to His disciples, "The beginning of God's kingdom
can be compared to a small mustard seed which a man took and planted
in his garden. The mustard seed is a very tiny seed, but when the
plant grows and reaches its full height which could be twelve feet, it
is bigger than anything in the garden. Even the birds come and
build their nests in its thick branches.
A parable is a story that makes one central point, and relates
every element in the story to this point. The parables in this chapter
concern Jesus' kingdom, but are not obvious. [The 365-Day Devotional
Commentary]
Mustard seed. The Sinapis nigra, or black mustard, which grows
wild in abundance in Palestine but is also often cultivated for its
seeds, which are used as a condiment. In Jewish literature the mustard
seed is frequently referred to proverbially to denote minuteness.....
Mustard seed was smaller than any other then sowed by Palestinian
farmers, far smaller than either wheat or barley seed, for example. But
the bush itself, when grown, was larger than any other cultivated
plant. [SDA Commentary]
The figure of a "tree" represents the triumph of the gospel
message throughout the world. [SDA Commentary]
CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:
Overview
Jesus' claim to be LORD of the Sabbath (12:1-14) and the Servant
predicted by Isaiah (vv. 15-21) brought direct conflict with the Pharisees
(vv. 22-37). Christ rejected their demand for a miraculous sign (vv.
36-45), but announced kinship with those who do God's will (vv. 46-50).
In a series of parables told to puzzled crowds (13:1-35), and in
another series told to His disciples (vv. 36-52), Jesus explained the
unexpected aspects of His kingdom. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
Chapter Topics
3 The parable of the sower and the seed 18 the exposition of it.
24 The parable of the tares, 31 of the mustard seed, 33 of the
leaven, 44 of the hidden treasure, 45 of the pearl, 47 of the drawnet
cast into the sea: 53 and how Christ is contemned of his own
countrymen. [SDA Commentary]
13:3-52 The parables of this chapter are significant
structurally and theologically. Structurally there is a balance between those
delivered "by the sea" (of which there are four) and those delivered in
the house (also being four in number). Theologically they explain
the development of the kingdom between Christ's first and second
coming, His rejection and future reception. [Believer's SB]
Chapter Summary
As resistance hardens, Jesus begins to speak in parables. The
parables summarize contrasts between the form of God's kingdom the Jews
expect and the form of the kingdom Jesus is about to institute.
The Parable Kingdom Expectations Unexpected Form
The sower
13:3-9, 18-23 Messiah rules all nations Individuals respond to
God's invitation.
Wheat/tares
13:24-30, 37-43 Citizens rule the world with Christ. Citizens
live among people of the world.
Mustard seed
13:31-32 Kingdom begins in majestic glory. Kingdom begins in
insignificance.
Leaven
13:33 The kingdom includes only the righteous. Citizens become
increasingly righteous.
Hidden treasure
13:44 The kingdom is public, for all. The kingdom is hidden and
for individual "purchase."
Priceless pearl
13:45-46 Kingdom brings valued things. The kingdom requires
abandoning earthly values.
Dragnet
13:47-50 Kingdom begins with separation of unrighteous. Kingdom
ends with separation of the unrighteous.
[Victor Bible Reader's Companion]
13:1-52 The Third Major Discourse: The Parables concerning the
Spread of the Good News and the Results. The parables are presented to
the crowds, but their meaning is explained only to the inner circle
of the disciples (13:10-17, 34-36). [Cambridge Annotated SB]
Jesus said that He spoke in parables so that those who believed
might understand-- and those who did not believe would not understand
(vv. 11-15). What an illustration of God's grace. [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary]
Section Headings
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven (13:31-33)
Stories About a Mustard Seed and Yeast--Mark 4:30-34; Luke
13:18-21
Parable of the mustard seed (13:31-32)
Jesus tells the parable of the mustard seed (13:31-32)
CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.
Mark 4:30-32 (KJV) And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the
kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? [31] It is
like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is
less than all the seeds that be in the earth: [32] But when it is
sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth
out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the
shadow of it.
Luke 13:18-19 (KJV) Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of
God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? [19] It is like a grain
of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it
grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the
branches of it.
Daniel 2:34-35 (KJV) Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out
without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and
clay, and brake them to pieces. [35] Then was the iron, the clay, the
brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became
like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried
them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote
the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
Rev. 11:15 (KJV) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were
great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become
the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for
ever and ever.
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart.
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?
How can it improve my relationship with Jesus.
Although the kingdom will seem to have an insignificant
beginning, it will eventually spread throughout the world.... The mustard
seed is not the smallest seed known today, but it was the smallest
seed used by Palestinian farmers and gardeners, and under favorable
conditions the plant could reach some ten feet in height.... the kingdom of
heaven will expand to world dominion and people from all nations will
find rest in it (cf. Da 2:35, 44-45; 7:27; Rev 11:15). [NIV SB]
The mustard seed was the smallest seed a farmer used. Jesus used
this parable to show that the kingdom has small beginnings but will
grow and produce great results. [Life Application SB]
No one parable can completely describe God's kingdom in all its
aspects, so Jesus gave several. Through this parable, Jesus explained
that his kingdom would have a small beginning. Indeed, it began with
Jesus alone and, upon his ascension, was left in the care of twelve
apostles and just a few hundred other followers. Jesus compared this
beginning to the mustard seed, which was the smallest seed that a farmer
used. The mustard seed was so small that it would take almost twenty
thousand seeds to make one ounce. Modern critics have pointed out that
the mustard seed is not the smallest seed, and they use this to
argue against the accuracy of the Bible. Jesus was not making a
scientific statement. Though the mustard seed is not the smallest seed in
all of creation, it was used in rabbinic proverbs to designate the
smallest of things. No other seed so small produced such a large plant.
From this very tiny seed would grow a large shrub--the largest shrub
among all the herbs that the farmer would plant in his garden. A
mustard shrub could grow ten to twelve feet in just a few weeks. While
that is not technically a tree, Jesus used hyperbole to stress both
the insignificance ("smallest") and magnificence ("largest," "tree")
of the kingdom. His point was that just as a tiny seed will grow
into the largest of garden plants, so God's kingdom will produce many
people who truly believe. From this small start, the kingdom will grow
into such greatness that when Christ returns, it will take over the
entire earth. Jesus stressed the future greatness of the kingdom, which
then seemed insignificant. He also showed that the kingdom had small
beginnings but would grow and produce great results. [Life Application
Commentary]
The germ in the seed grows by the unfolding of the
life-principle which God has implanted. Its development depends upon no human
power. So it is with the kingdom of Christ. It is a new creation. Its
principles of development are the opposite of those that rule the kingdoms
of this world. Earthly governments prevail by physical force; they
maintain their dominion by war; but the founder of the new kingdom is the
Prince of Peace.... In His plan of government there is no employment of
brute force to compel the conscience. {COL 77}
As Jesus spoke this parable, the mustard plant could be seen far
and near, lifting itself above the grass and grain, and waving its
branches lightly in the air. Birds flitted from twig to twig, and sang
amid the leafy foliage. Yet the seed from which sprang this giant
plant was among the least of all seeds. At first it sent up a tender
shoot, but it was of strong vitality, and grew and flourished until it
reached its present great size. So the kingdom of Christ in its
beginning seemed humble and insignificant. Compared with earthly kingdoms
it appeared to be the least of all. By the rulers of this world
Christ's claim to be a king was ridiculed. Yet in the mighty truths
committed to His followers the kingdom of the gospel possessed a divine
life. And how rapid was its growth, how widespread its influence!...
So the work of grace in the heart is small in its beginning. A word
is spoken, a ray of light is shed into the soul, an influence is
exerted that is the beginning of the new life; and who can measure its
results?... Not only is the growth of Christ's kingdom illustrated by the
parable of the mustard seed, but in every stage of its growth the
experience represented in the parable is repeated. For His church in every
generation God has a special truth and a special work. The truth that is
hid from the worldly wise and prudent is revealed to the child-like
and humble. It calls for self-sacrifice. It has battles to fight and
victories to win. At the outset its advocates are few..... And in this last
generation the parable of the mustard seed is to reach a signal and
triumphant fulfillment. The little seed will become a tree. The last
message of warning and mercy is to go to "every nation and kindred and
tongue" (Rev. 14:6-14), "to take out of them a people for His name"
(Acts 15:14; Rev. 18:1). And the earth shall be lightened with His
glory. {COL 77-79}
The Parable of the Mustard Seed contrasts the small beginnings
of the proclamation of the coming kingdom and the astonishing
results. Cf. Mk 4:30-32; Lk 13:18-19. [Cambridge Annotated SB]
The parable of the wheat and tares (vv. 24-30) reveals that the
kingdom of heaven will be preceded by an age in which good and evil
coexist. The parable of the mustard seed affirms that during that time
period, the number of people who will inherit the kingdom will be very
small at first. But though it begins like the smallest of seeds, the
nucleus will enjoy growth completely out of proportion to its initial
size. [Nelson SB]
In spite of small beginnings, the kingdom grows to enormous
significance. Worldly success standards do not apply to the kingdom. It grows
as God chooses. [Disciple SB]
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