Mark 4:31

KJV

[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:

KJV (with Strong's)

It is like {G5613} a grain {G2848} of mustard seed {G4615}, which {G3739}, when {G3752} it is sown {G4687} in {G1909} the earth {G1093}, is less {G3398} than all {G3956} the seeds {G4690} that be {G2076} in {G1909} the earth {G1093}:

Complete Jewish Bible

It is like a mustard seed, which, when planted, is the smallest of all the seeds in the field;

Berean Standard Bible

It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth.

American Standard Version

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 4:31 presents the core imagery of the Parable of the Mustard Seed, illustrating the paradoxical nature of the Kingdom of God. It highlights that this divine realm, though destined for immense and far-reaching influence, originates from the most humble and seemingly insignificant beginnings, challenging human expectations of grandeur and immediate power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a series of parables in Mark 4, which Jesus uses to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. It immediately follows the Parable of the Sower ([Mark 4:3-9](/mark/4-3-9 "The Parable of the Sower")) and the Parable of the Growing Seed ([Mark 4:26-29](/mark/4-26-29 "The Parable of the Growing Seed")), both of which also speak to the nature of spiritual growth and the Kingdom's expansion. The Parable of the Mustard Seed, introduced in [Mark 4:30](/mark/4-30 "Introduction to the Parable of the Mustard Seed"), serves as a climactic illustration, emphasizing the dramatic contrast between the Kingdom's small origins and its ultimate, expansive reality, a theme further developed in [Mark 4:32](/mark/4-32 "The Growth of the Mustard Seed"). These parables are presented to the crowds, though Jesus later provides private explanations to his disciples, as noted in [Mark 4:34](/mark/4-34 "Jesus Explains Parables to His Disciples").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Galilee, agriculture was the backbone of daily life, making agrarian parables highly relatable to Jesus' audience. Mustard seeds were a common sight, known for their minute size yet remarkable growth into a shrub-like plant, often reaching heights of 10-15 feet in the fertile Galilean soil. The Jewish people of this era harbored strong messianic expectations, often envisioning a powerful, immediate, and politically dominant kingdom that would overthrow Roman rule. Jesus' portrayal of the Kingdom's humble, almost imperceptible beginning, contrasted sharply with these prevailing nationalistic and militaristic hopes, subtly redefining the nature of God's reign as one that grows organically from within, rather than through external force. The proverbially small size of the mustard seed was a well-known idiom for something tiny that becomes large.

* **Key Themes:** The Parable of the Mustard Seed contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Humility of the Kingdom's Origin**, demonstrating that God's greatest works often begin in seemingly insignificant ways, mirroring Jesus' own humble incarnation and the small band of disciples he gathered. This theme challenges human notions of power and visible success. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Exponential Growth**, portraying the Kingdom as a dynamic, living entity with an inherent capacity for vast expansion, from a small group of believers to a global movement, as seen in the spread of the early church described in [the book of Acts](/acts/1 "The Book of Acts"). Thirdly, the parable implicitly points to **Divine Power at Work**, emphasizing that the growth is not solely due to human effort but to the inherent life within the "seed"—representing the divine power and presence of God that enables the Kingdom to flourish. This resonates with the idea that God gives the increase, as articulated in [1 Corinthians 3:6-7](/1_corinthians/3-6-7 "God Gives the Increase").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **grain (Greek, _kókkos'_):** This word, meaning "a kernel of seed," specifically highlights the physical minuteness of the mustard seed. It emphasizes the almost imperceptible starting point of the Kingdom of God, contrasting sharply with its eventual, expansive reality. The choice of "grain" rather than a more general term for "seed" underscores the specific, tiny nature of this particular seed.
* **less (Greek, _mikrós'_):** Meaning "small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)," this term is crucial for understanding the hyperbolic nature of Jesus' statement. While not literally the smallest seed in the world, "less" conveys the idea of extreme smallness in the common understanding of the time, setting up the dramatic contrast with the plant's eventual size. It signifies the Kingdom's humble, often overlooked, beginnings.
* **earth (Greek, _gē'_):** Contracted from a primary word, this term refers to "soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe." In this context, "in the earth" refers to the ground where the seed is sown, emphasizing the natural, organic process of growth. It also subtly hints at the universal scope of the Kingdom's eventual reach, as it is sown "in the earth" and grows to encompass it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It is like a grain of mustard seed,"**: This opening clause establishes a **Simile**, immediately drawing a comparison between the Kingdom of God (implied from the preceding verses in Mark 4) and a mustard seed. The use of "grain" (kókkos) emphasizes the tiny, almost insignificant physical size of the seed, setting the stage for the paradox that follows.
* **"which, when it is sown in the earth,"**: This phrase describes the action of planting the seed, a common agricultural practice. "Sown in the earth" refers to the act of initiating the Kingdom's presence, implying a humble, often unseen, beginning rooted in the ordinary world. It suggests an organic, natural process, rather than a sudden, forceful imposition.
* **"is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:"**: This concluding clause contains the striking **Hyperbole** that defines the parable's central message. While the mustard seed was not scientifically the smallest seed, it was proverbially recognized in ancient Israel as the epitome of smallness. The phrase "less than all the seeds that be in the earth" vividly exaggerates this smallness to underscore the dramatic contrast with its eventual growth, highlighting the Kingdom's remarkably humble origins in comparison to its future magnitude.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 4:31 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly stated with the phrase "It is like a grain of mustard seed," which draws a direct comparison between the Kingdom of God and the tiny seed. This comparison is foundational to the parable's meaning. More strikingly, the verse utilizes **Hyperbole** in the statement "is less than all the seeds that be in the earth." While not literally true (other seeds are smaller), this exaggeration was a common rhetorical device in ancient Jewish culture, used to emphasize a point dramatically. Here, it vividly underscores the extreme contrast between the Kingdom's humble, almost imperceptible beginnings and its astonishing, expansive potential. This hyperbole serves to challenge the audience's conventional expectations of a grand, immediate, and outwardly powerful kingdom. Additionally, there is an element of **Paradox** at play, as the smallest of seeds yields one of the largest plants in the local context, illustrating the counter-intuitive nature of God's work, where weakness becomes strength and humility leads to greatness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Parable of the Mustard Seed, particularly Mark 4:31, is a profound theological statement about the nature and growth of God's Kingdom. It teaches that the Kingdom does not arrive with overwhelming force or immediate grandeur, but rather through humble, often unseen, beginnings. This challenges human expectations of power and success, revealing God's method of working from the inside out, growing organically and powerfully from seemingly insignificant origins. It assures believers that even the smallest acts of faith or the most modest ministries can contribute to a divinely empowered, expansive reality, because the power for growth resides not in the size of the seed, but in the divine life within it.

* [Matthew 13:31-32](/matthew/13-31-32 "The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Matthew")
* [Luke 13:18-19](/luke/13-18-19 "The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Luke")
* [Zechariah 4:10](/zechariah/4-10 "Do Not Despise Small Beginnings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 4:31 offers profound encouragement and a vital reorientation for our perspective on God's work in the world and in our lives. It calls us to embrace patience and faith, recognizing that God often begins His greatest works in ways that seem small, insignificant, or even imperceptible to human eyes. We are prone to despise small beginnings, to seek instant results, or to measure success by visible grandeur. This parable, however, reminds us that true divine power often operates quietly, growing from within. For the individual believer, this means valuing consistent, humble acts of obedience, prayer, and service, trusting that God can take our "little" and make it much. For the church, it means faithfully sowing the seeds of the Gospel, nurturing disciples, and engaging in community, even when the impact seems minimal, knowing that the Kingdom has an inherent, divinely assured capacity for exponential growth. We are called to be faithful cultivators, not to be discouraged by the apparent slowness or smallness of our efforts, but to trust in the powerful life within the seed—the Spirit of God—to bring forth a mighty harvest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you tend to despise "small beginnings," longing for immediate, grand results?**
* **How does the image of the mustard seed challenge your assumptions about how God works and how His Kingdom expands?**
* **What "small" acts of faith or obedience might God be calling you to engage in, trusting Him for the "great" outcome?**

### FAQ

**Was the mustard seed literally the smallest seed in the ancient world?**

Answer: No, scientifically speaking, the mustard seed was not the absolute smallest seed known in the ancient world (e.g., orchid seeds are smaller). However, in the cultural and idiomatic language of first-century Palestine, the mustard seed was proverbially known as the smallest seed that people commonly planted and observed growing into a relatively large plant. Jesus' statement in [Mark 4:31](/mark/4-31 "Mark 4:31 - The Mustard Seed") uses **hyperbole**, a common rhetorical device, to emphasize the dramatic contrast between the seed's minuscule size and the plant's impressive growth. The point is not botanical precision, but the profound theological truth of the Kingdom's humble origins and vast expansion.

**Why did Jesus use parables like the mustard seed to teach about the Kingdom of God?**

Answer: Jesus used parables for several reasons, as indicated in [Mark 4:10-12](/mark/4-10-12 "Purpose of Parables"). Parables served to reveal truth to those who were genuinely seeking it and had "ears to hear," while simultaneously concealing it from those whose hearts were hardened or unwilling to understand. They were memorable, relatable stories drawn from everyday life that invited deeper reflection. Specifically, parables like the mustard seed helped to redefine the nature of the Kingdom of God, challenging the prevailing Jewish expectations of an immediate, political, and overtly powerful kingdom. They illustrated that the Kingdom operates on divine principles, often starting small and growing organically, requiring faith and spiritual insight to comprehend its true power and scope.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Parable of the Mustard Seed finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself. Just as the mustard seed is "less than all the seeds," so too did the Kingdom of God begin in the most humble and unexpected way: with the incarnation of God's Son, born in a manger in a small town, living an ordinary life in obscurity for thirty years. His public ministry began not with a grand political uprising, but with a small band of fishermen and tax collectors, a seemingly insignificant group in the vast Roman Empire. This humble beginning, reflecting the self-emptying love described in [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience"), was the "sowing" of the Kingdom. Yet, from this tiny, unassuming "seed" of Christ's life, death, and resurrection, the Kingdom has grown exponentially. The Spirit-empowered proclamation of the Gospel by those initial few disciples, as commanded in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission"), has blossomed into a global movement, providing "shelter" and spiritual nourishment to countless millions across centuries and continents. Jesus, the humble mustard seed, is now the towering tree, under whose branches all nations are invited to find refuge and life, fulfilling the prophetic vision of a kingdom that expands to fill the whole earth ([Daniel 2:35](/daniel/2-35 "The Kingdom Fills the Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 19:20

So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Luke 13:18

¶ Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

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.

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.

Genesis 22:17

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Genesis 22:18

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.