Parable of the Mustard Seed

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Matthew 13:31–34 ESV

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.

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what is a parable

why parables

why parables

the kingdom of heaven motif — “is like.... 2x”

vs 31

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Matthew 5. More Parables of Growth, 13:31–33

Over against the mighty numbers of the worshipers of heathen gods and even of the Jews who acknowledged the true God, those who proclaimed the kingdom were a tiny minority. Jesus teaches them not to be hypnotized by size. These tiny beginnings would grow into something greater by far than any of the religions found in the disciples’ contemporary world.

vs 32

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Matthew 5. More Parables of Growth, 13:31–33

This points up the strong contrast between the tiny seed and the tree that is the end result of the seed. The kingdom may be considered insignificant in its beginnings and was doubtless despised by many in Jesus’ day because of this. But in the end its growth would be extensive; it would be a very great kingdom indeed. There

The New American Commentary: Matthew 1. The Polarization Explained: Kingdom Parables (13:1–52)

What may not look like much to the world will in fact fulfill all God’s promises.

vs 33

The New American Commentary: Matthew 1. The Polarization Explained: Kingdom Parables (13:1–52)

So too the tiny amounts of yeast a breadmaker mixes into a large batch of dough cause the whole loaf to rise.

vs 34

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NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message Chapter 13

If there is a difference between the two parables, it may be that the mustard seed portrays extensive growth and the yeast depicts intensive growth. No Jew would have made these comparisons. How could God’s kingdom be compared to the smallest of seeds? Jesus deliberately uses this shocking illustration to challenge how most Jews thought about the coming of God’s kingdom.