Luke 13:19

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.

It is {G2076} like {G3664} a grain {G2848} of mustard seed {G4615}, which {G3739} a man {G444} took {G2983}, and cast {G906} into {G1519} his {G1438} garden {G2779}; and {G2532} it grew {G837}, and {G2532} waxed {G1096}{G1519} a great {G3173} tree {G1186}; and {G2532} the fowls {G4071} of the air {G3772} lodged {G2681} in {G1722} the branches {G2798} of it {G846}.

It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his own garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds flying about nested in its branches.”

It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

It is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in the branches thereof.

Luke 13:19 is a concise yet profound parable, often referred to as the Parable of the Mustard Seed. It illustrates the remarkable and often surprising growth of the Kingdom of God from humble origins to a widespread influence, offering shelter and blessing to many.

Context

This parable is one of several that Jesus taught to explain the nature of the Kingdom of God. In Luke's Gospel, it immediately follows the parable of the barren fig tree and precedes the parable of the leaven (Luke 13:20-21), forming a pair that emphasizes both growth and pervasive influence. Parallel accounts of this parable can be found in Matthew 13:31-32 and Mark 4:30-32, highlighting its significance in Jesus' teaching.

Key Themes

  • Humble Beginnings, Exponential Growth: The central message is the striking contrast between the tiny mustard seed (one of the smallest seeds sown in ancient Israel) and the large plant it becomes. This symbolizes the Kingdom of God, which began with Jesus and a small group of disciples, growing into a global movement that has impacted countless lives.
  • Divine Power at Work: The growth of the mustard seed is not forced but natural and organic, implying that the expansion of the Kingdom is ultimately God's work. It demonstrates the inherent, life-giving power embedded within God's message and presence.
  • Inclusivity and Shelter: The imagery of "fowls of the air lodging in the branches" suggests that the Kingdom offers refuge, rest, and sustenance to all who seek it, regardless of their background. It speaks to the Kingdom's universal reach and its capacity to provide a home for diverse peoples.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek term for "mustard seed" is kokkon sinapeōs. While not the absolute smallest seed in the world, it was proverbially the smallest seed commonly sown by Palestinian farmers, making the contrast with the resulting "great tree" (dendron mega) all the more vivid and impactful. The mustard plant, Brassica nigra or Sinapis alba, could grow into a significant shrub, sometimes reaching heights of 10-15 feet, providing ample shade and perching places for birds.

Practical Application

This parable offers immense encouragement for believers and ministries. It reminds us that:

  • Small Acts Have Big Impact: Even the smallest act of faith, a simple prayer, or a humble beginning in ministry can, by God's power, grow into something far greater than we can imagine.
  • Don't Despise Small Beginnings: We should not be discouraged by the apparent insignificance of our efforts or the humble appearance of God's work in its initial stages.
  • The Kingdom Provides: The ultimate goal of the Kingdom's growth is to provide spiritual shelter and life for many, inviting all to find rest and purpose within its embrace. This understanding encourages us to participate in its expansion, knowing that God uses even the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His grand purposes, as seen in the prophecy of Zechariah 4:10.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 4:12

    The leaves thereof [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

  • Ezekiel 17:22

    ¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set [it]; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant [it] upon an high mountain and eminent:

  • Ezekiel 17:24

    And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done [it].

  • Daniel 2:44

    And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

  • Daniel 2:45

    Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream [is] certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

  • Daniel 4:21

    Whose leaves [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:

  • Mark 4:31

    [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:

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