Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In the full comparison that Jesus made, He likened the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed by saying that a mustard seed was the smallest of all seeds, but, after being planted, it would grow into a large tree that would allow the birds to come and nest in its branches (Matthew 13:31-32).

This is similar to His teaching elsewhere in Matthew's gospel (Matthew 17:20) that, if a person had an amount of faith that was even as small as a mustard seed, he could tell a mountain to be uprooted and cast into the sea, and it would happen.

By these sayings, Jesus was stressing the importance of both faith, and also of persistence in prayer and in effort (which are concrete reflections of that faith) in seeking God's help in attaining a desired objective. For the person who exhibits such faith and tenacity, the results of his or her efforts will be as disproportionate as the examples that Jesus gave, just as has been the case with Christianity (as a reflection of God's kingdom) starting with a group of twelve men, but growing to numbers in the billions worldwide.

December 09 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Paul Gerardi Supporter Engineer, Student of the Word - living and written

Jesus' parables in Matthew 13 contain an interesting set of three "seed" teachings on the kingdom of God as it will exist during the period between the founding of the Church (planting the seed) and Jesus' return (the harvest).
- The sower and the seed
- The wheat and the tares
- The mustard seed

The parable of the sower and the seed, and that of the wheat and the tares, are explained by Jesus in the text.

The sower and the seed parable describes the sown Word, and how that much is lost (the birds, 'the evil one', snatch it away), and how that many who receive it are weak or choked out by concerns of this world, and yet the ones in whom it takes root grow strong and produce a good harvest.

The wheat and tares parable describes how, along with the authentic plants from the good seed, grow simultaneously the inauthentic plants from the tare seed. Both will be allowed to grow so as to ensure the harvest from the good, and only at the time of harvest will the separation of the bad from the good occur.

Using Jesus' narrative and explanation for those two parables, we have the framework by which to understand the parable of the mustard seed.

First the seed is planted. It is small, but it grows quickly and spreads. But something is not quite right. It doesn't grow entirely as it should, and instead of being a bush with stem, leaf, flower, and seed, it grows to be more like a tree. A tree in which are solid branches that support the influx and nesting of birds.

As we already know from the parable of the sower, birds are analogous to "the evil one". They don't belong there. They snatch away good seed. They are not a welcome addition and take away from the harvest. As we know from the parable of the wheat and tares, this coexistence of what is good and what is bad will be allowed to continue until the harvest.

In each of these parables, the "seed" (the Gospel) is sown with the intent of the sower (Jesus) to produce a good and perfect harvest. But, as the parables indicate, all is not perfect in this world/the hearts of men where the seed is sown. Thus the church of this (our) age will, as Jesus the sower intends, contain the "good", the authentic Christians, obeying Christ, and bearing much fruit as a result, but it will also contain the "bad", the inauthentic Christians, the heretical and disobedient who undermine the faith and the work.

We are to take these parables both as encouragement that the church in this world will grow even though it had/has humble beginnings! But we are to take them as a watch word, a warning, as well, about the work and interference of the evil one within the church. Not all who are in the churches are truly of the church, they are not truly Christians.There will be those in the midst of the "church" who profess faith, even lead and teach, but are both inauthentic and damaging to the church.

We see that these prophetic parables by Jesus have indeed come true. They were already true in the 1st century church - 2 Pet 2:1, 2 Cor 11:13-15, Rom 16:17-18, Titus 1:15-16 - and they are still true today.

What should we do?
Plant the seeds of the Gospel.
Go and make disciples among all the people of the earth.
Nurture the believers in the church.
Be on guard for the birds of the air, the false teachers, the wolves in sheep's clothing, the inauthentic Christians.
Hold to what is pure, and grow in faith, love, knowledge and understanding.
When the time of the harvest comes, the church that Jesus is building, of which we are "living stones", will be purged of the false and inauthentic and Christ will present the Church to himself, "a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; that it should be holy and without blemish" (Eph 5:27)

March 28 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Why does Jesus compare the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed?

Jesus uses the mustard seed to show that God's Kingdom begins in a way that appears small and insignificant but grows into something unexpectedly large, life‑giving, and inclusive.

1. A culturally recognised symbol of smallness

In Jewish idiom, the mustard seed represented the tiniest imaginable thing. Its contrast with the large shrub it becomes highlights how God often starts with what seems negligible.

2. A familiar agricultural image

Jesus' audience knew how dramatically mustard plants grew. The image made His point vivid and memorable: a tiny start leading to vigorous, surprising expansion.

3. Humble Beginnings of the Kingdom

Jesus' ministry looked unimpressive — a small group from an obscure region. The mustard seed reassures that God's work does not depend on impressive beginnings.

4. Organic, God‑driven growth

A seed grows naturally once planted. Likewise, the Kingdom expands by God's power rather than human strategy or control.

5. Inclusivity and refuge

The birds nesting in the branches echo Old Testament imagery of nations finding shelter in a great kingdom (Ezekiel 17; Daniel 

4) Jesus signals that God's reign will welcome all peoples.

6. A parallel to faith

Jesus uses the same image for faith: even faith "like a mustard seed" can have an immense effect because God animates its growth (Matthew 17:20).

7. Consistent biblical pattern

God regularly begins with the small and ends with the great — Abraham's family becoming a nation, or the stone in Daniel 2 becoming a mountain. The mustard seed fits this divine pattern.

The main point:

The Kingdom of God starts in obscurity but grows into something expansive and transformative, ultimately offering shelter, grace, and belonging to all people.

Parallel to Faith:

Jesus uses the mustard seed to describe faith (Matthew 17:20).

Even small faith can have an immense impact because God animates its growth.

What looks insignificant becomes transformative when God is the one giving growth.

Why a Mustard Seed?

Do not despise small beginnings — God often starts quietly.

Trust God for growth — the Kingdom expands organically, not through force.

Welcome others — the Kingdom is meant to be a refuge for all.

Plant small seeds of faithfulness — God multiplies what you offer.

Scripture: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…" — Matthew 13:31–32

Reflection:

Jesus chose one of the smallest things: "His listeners."

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Daniel Veler Supporter

Your question: Why does Jesus compare the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed?

Jesus spoke numerous parables. How should we comprehend these parables? To those who are lost, they remain an enigmatic mystery, but to those who are in Christ, they are understood.

The kingdom of heaven begins and then grows. This is what the mustard seed represents.

What are the parables? Christ said the following:

Matthew 23:10: “And the disciples came, and said unto him, 'Why speakest thou unto them in parables?' He answered and said unto them, 'Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.'”

We are told by Christ that the parables are the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Those who are not in Christ will not comprehend them because they are concealed from them.

This parable illustrates the construction of the Church. Over time, the birds settled on the branches. These birds represent the children of the wicked one, who bring their corrupt teachings to deceive and mislead the children of God.

The parable is this:

Luke 13:18: “Then said he, 'Unto what is the kingdom of God like? And
whereunto shall I resemble it? 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.'”

Christ is showing us what the kingdom is like.

But if you read the letters written in Revelation, you’ll see how the wicked ones have infiltrated the church to lead the children of God astray and conceal others from coming to Christ. You have the doctrines of Baal, Jezebel, and the Nicolaitans spreading their false teachings.

This is what will take place as the church grows into maturity.

16 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report