The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven

Jesus says that the Kingdom of heaven is like the smallest seed in the farm.

“These two parables are paired together, the first referring to the outward, the second to the inward growth of the kingdom of heaven.”

Baker New Testament Commentary: Matthew The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven

These two cannot be separated: one might say that it is because of the invisible principle of eternal life, by the Holy Spirit planted in the hearts of the citizens of the kingdom and increasingly exerting its influence there, that this kingdom also expands visibly and outwardly, conquering territory upon territory.

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3. Though the mustard seed is insignificant at first, it grows and grows until it is one of the largest trees in the farm.

Baker New Testament Commentary: Matthew The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven

Even today mustard grows vigorously in Palestine. It reaches ten feet, sometimes fifteen. In the fall of the year, when its branches have become rigid, birds of many kinds find here a shelter from the storm, rest from weariness, and shade from the heat of the sun, all in all a wonderful place to go tenting! “The kingdom of heaven in its outward manifestation on earth is like that,” says Jesus. It is seemingly insignificant in its beginning, but from this small beginning great results will grow.

4. Don’t despise small spiritual beginnings!

5. Disciples are often too impatient, but the Lord forewarns us that the physical growth of the church is a process.

Baker New Testament Commentary: Matthew The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven

Relatively speaking, the group of Christ’s loyal followers was so small and so weak that at times they must have almost despaired.

Baker New Testament Commentary: Matthew The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven

They were looking for revolutionary changes right here and now (Matt. 21:8, 9 and parallels; Luke 9:54; John 6:15; Acts 1:6). They may have asked, “Did not John the Baptist point in this direction?” See Matt. 3:11, 12. “Did not the Old Testament contain prophecies concerning the exaltation of Israel, its expansion among the nations, and its cosmic significance during the Messianic age?” See Gen. 22:17, 18; Ps. 72:8–11; Isa. 54:2, 3; chap. 60–62; Jer. 31:31–40; 32:36–44; Amos 9:11–15; Mic. 2:12, 13; 4:1–8; chap. 5; Zech. chap. 2; 8:18–23; etc. But in the thinking of the people these passages if pondered at all were probably often lifted out of their contexts.

6. Great results stem from small beginnings.

7. When it seems as if the church is growing weaker, we must remember that change happens in strides. True disciples must remember that God’s program cannot fail.

8. The planting of the seed happens from without but the growth begins within.

This growth of the church happens within the church, but not because of the church.

9.Growth in God’s church happens when Christ’s rule enters human hearts.

10. Once established, the rule of Christ, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, begins to operate also from within outward.

Sometimes, but by no means always, the power that proceeds from him operates secretly, mysteriously. The important fact is that art, science, literature, business, industry, commerce, government, these and all the other departments of human thought and endeavor begin to be blessed by this man’s activity.

This is the picture that Jesus paints in the parable of the yeast.

William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 567.This is the picture that Jesus paints in the parable of the yeast.

11. The Lord then compares the same kingdom to yeast used to lift flour.

12. The yeast is working!

The Lord has so designed the church that the things which we do not see affect the things we can see. We must trust that God is working in us and through us even when we cannot see what He is doing.