Matthew 13:31

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Another {G243} parable {G3850} put he forth {G3908} unto them {G846}, saying {G3004}, The kingdom {G932} of heaven {G3772} is {G2076} like {G3664} to a grain {G2848} of mustard seed {G4615}, which {G3739} a man {G444} took {G2983}, and sowed {G4687} in {G1722} his {G846} field {G68}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua put before them another parable. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a man takes and sows in his field.

Berean Standard Bible

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field.

American Standard Version

Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 13:31, Jesus presents the Parable of the Mustard Seed, a concise yet profound teaching that illuminates the surprising nature and growth of the Kingdom of Heaven. This parable, delivered amidst a series of kingdom parables, likens the Kingdom's initial, seemingly insignificant appearance to a tiny mustard seed that, once sown, burgeons into a substantial plant, illustrating its inherent power to expand dramatically and encompass all who seek refuge within it.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Jesus' extensive discourse on the Kingdom of Heaven in [Matthew 13](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - Parables of the Kingdom"), delivered from a boat to a large crowd gathered on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It immediately follows the Parable of the Sower, which addresses the reception of the Kingdom's message, and precedes the Parable of the Leaven in [Matthew 13:33](/matthew/13-33 "Matthew 13:33 - Parable of the Leaven"). Together, these parables form a thematic cluster, each revealing a distinct facet of the Kingdom's mysterious operation, growth, and ultimate triumph. Jesus' use of parables serves to both reveal truth to those with "ears to hear" and to conceal it from those whose hearts are hardened, as explained in [Matthew 13:10-17](/matthew/13-10-17 "Matthew 13:10-17 - The Purpose of Parables").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' audience in rural Galilee was intimately familiar with agricultural practices. The mustard plant (Sinapis alba or Brassica nigra) was a common sight, known for its remarkably small seed, proverbially the smallest of all seeds sown in a garden, yet capable of growing into a large bush or even a small tree, sometimes reaching heights of 10-15 feet in Palestine. This growth provided shelter and nesting places for birds. The imagery would have resonated powerfully, contrasting the humble beginnings of the Kingdom with its eventual expansive reach. The "field" (Gk. _agros_) represents a common agricultural setting, emphasizing the ordinary, everyday context in which God's extraordinary Kingdom would begin to manifest.
* **Key Themes:** The Parable of the Mustard Seed contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Kingdom Growth from Small Beginnings**, emphasizing that God's sovereign rule, inaugurated by Christ, does not arrive with overwhelming power or fanfare but begins subtly and expands organically. This contrasts with common Jewish expectations of a powerful, immediate, political kingdom. Another key theme is the **Divine Power and Inevitability of the Kingdom's Expansion**, highlighting that the growth is inherent to the "seed" itself, representing the Gospel message and the Spirit's work, rather than human effort alone. Finally, the parable subtly introduces the theme of **Universal Inclusion**, foreshadowing the Kingdom's eventual global reach, offering refuge to "birds of the air" (often symbolic of Gentiles in biblical literature), as further elaborated in [Matthew 13:32](/matthew/13-32 "Matthew 13:32 - Growth of the Mustard Seed"). This echoes Old Testament prophecies of a kingdom that would fill the whole earth, as seen in [Daniel 2:35](/daniel/2-35 "Daniel 2:35 - The Kingdom Fills the Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Parable (Greek, _parabolḗ_):** This term refers to a similitude or a symbolic fictitious narrative drawn from common life, conveying a moral or spiritual truth. In this context, Jesus uses a familiar agricultural scenario to illustrate abstract theological concepts about the Kingdom of Heaven.
* **Kingdom (Greek, _basileía_):** Properly denoting royalty, rule, or a realm, this word signifies God's active reign and sovereign dominion. In Matthew, "Kingdom of Heaven" is synonymous with "Kingdom of God," referring to God's redemptive rule breaking into human history through Jesus Christ, rather than merely a future dwelling place.
* **Sowed (Greek, _speírō_):** This verb means to scatter or sow, literally or figuratively. Here, it describes the deliberate act of planting the seed, which represents the initiation of the Kingdom through the proclamation of the Gospel and the work of Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,"**: This introductory phrase signals a continuation of Jesus' teaching method, emphasizing that this is another illustrative story designed to convey spiritual truth to his disciples and the crowd. The verb "put he forth" (Gk. _paratíthēmi_) suggests presenting or setting before them, like food or truth.
* **"The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed,"**: This is the core simile of the parable, directly equating the abstract concept of the "Kingdom of Heaven" with a tangible, familiar object – the mustard seed. The comparison highlights the Kingdom's nature, particularly its humble, almost imperceptible beginnings.
* **"which a man took, and sowed in his field:"**: This clause describes the action that initiates the growth. The "man" (Gk. _ánthrōpos_) represents the one who plants the seed, which can be understood as Jesus himself, or more broadly, those who proclaim the Gospel. The "field" (Gk. _agrós_) signifies the world, the environment in which the Kingdom is sown and grows.

#### Literary Devices
The parable of the Mustard Seed is rich in literary devices. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly stated by "The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed," drawing a direct comparison between an abstract concept (the Kingdom) and a concrete object (the seed). This comparison serves as the foundation for the entire parable. **Symbolism** is also central, with the mustard seed symbolizing the small, unassuming origins of the Kingdom, and its subsequent growth symbolizing the Kingdom's powerful and expansive development. The "man" can be seen as symbolic of Jesus, the sower of the Kingdom, and the "field" symbolizes the world where the Kingdom takes root. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the common understanding of the mustard seed as "the smallest of all seeds." While not botanically the absolute smallest, it was proverbially so in the ancient world, making the contrast with its eventual large size all the more striking and impactful for Jesus' audience. This exaggeration emphasizes the miraculous and unexpected growth of God's reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Parable of the Mustard Seed profoundly illustrates the eschatological reality of God's Kingdom. It teaches that the Kingdom of Heaven, though inaugurated in a humble and often unseen manner through Jesus' earthly ministry, possesses an inherent, divine vitality that ensures its unstoppable growth and ultimate triumph. This growth is not merely quantitative (more people), but qualitative (deeper influence). It challenges human expectations of immediate, overwhelming power, instead revealing God's patient, organic, and pervasive work in the world. The parable affirms that even the smallest acts of faith or the most modest beginnings of God's work can yield monumental, far-reaching results, ultimately providing refuge for all nations.

* [Mark 4:30-32](/mark/4-30-32 "The Parable of the Mustard Seed")
* [Luke 13:18-19](/luke/13-18-19 "The Parable of the Mustard Seed")
* [Daniel 2:34-35](/daniel/2-34-35 "The Stone Becomes a Mountain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Parable of the Mustard Seed offers enduring encouragement and a profound perspective for believers today. It reminds us that God often works through small, seemingly insignificant beginnings to accomplish His grand purposes. This encourages patience and faithfulness in our personal walks of faith, our ministries, and our witness. We are not to despise humble efforts or slow progress, for the divine power within the "seed" of the Gospel ensures its eventual flourishing. This parable calls us to trust in God's sovereign power to bring about growth, even when our contributions feel small, and to embrace the vision of a Kingdom that will ultimately encompass all peoples, providing spiritual shelter and sustenance. It challenges us to sow faithfully, knowing that God is the one who gives the increase, transforming tiny seeds into mighty trees.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "small beginnings" in your life or ministry are you tempted to despise, and how might this parable encourage you to persevere?**
* **How does the idea of the Kingdom's organic, inherent growth challenge our tendency to rely on human strategies or grand initiatives?**
* **In what ways can you, as an individual, contribute to the "sowing" of the Kingdom, trusting God for the "growth"?**

### FAQ

**Why is the Kingdom of Heaven compared to a mustard seed, which seems so small?**

Answer: The comparison to a mustard seed, proverbially the smallest seed commonly sown in ancient Israel, is precisely to highlight the surprising and counter-intuitive nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. While human kingdoms often begin with displays of power, large armies, or grand declarations, God's Kingdom, as inaugurated by Jesus, began in obscurity with a small group of disciples and a humble carpenter from Nazareth. The parable emphasizes that despite these modest origins, the Kingdom possesses an inherent, divine power to grow exponentially and become a vast, influential reality, providing refuge and blessing for many, as described in [Matthew 13:32](/matthew/13-32 "Matthew 13:32 - Growth of the Mustard Seed"). It underscores that God's ways are often not man's ways, and His power is perfected in weakness ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Power in Weakness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Parable of the Mustard Seed finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the "man" who "sowed" the seed, initiating the Kingdom of Heaven through His humble incarnation, earthly ministry, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection. The seemingly insignificant birth in Bethlehem ([Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem's Smallness")) and the quiet beginnings of His ministry in Galilee were the tiny "mustard seed" from which the greatest movement in human history would spring forth. Jesus, the cornerstone rejected by builders ([Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")), became the foundation of a Kingdom that would expand beyond all expectations, encompassing people from every tribe and nation ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation")). His death on the cross, appearing as a defeat, was the very act that unleashed the power of the Kingdom, leading to the explosive growth of the early church and its continued expansion throughout history, offering spiritual shelter and life to all who believe, just as the mustard plant offers lodging to birds ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")). Thus, the parable is a profound testament to the unexpected, yet unstoppable, triumph of Christ's redemptive work.

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

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.

Matthew 17:20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mark 4:30

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

Mark 4:32

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 17:6

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Matthew 13:24

¶ Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: