Mark 4:30-32

F. THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED. 4:30-32.

TEXT 4:30-32

An he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 4:30-32

194.

Once again settle in your mind just what is represented by the expression kingdom of God. Can you see the fulfillment of this expression in the church? We refer to the church described in the book of Acts.

195.

Why select the mustard seed for comparison? Is it the smallest seed on the earth?

196.

Who are the birds and what are the branches?

197.

What is the principle point of this parable?

COMMENT

This is the fourth and last parable here recorded by Mark. Like the previous three it was given in the autumn of A.D. 28 while Jesus sat in a little boat in the Sea of Galilee.

A Picture of the Kingdom

OUTLINE1. Like a grain of mustard seed, Mark 4:30-31. Mark 4:2. When grown is greater than all the herbs, Mark 4:32 a. Mark 4:3. A place for the birds of the heaven, Mark 4:32 b.

ANALYSIS

I.

A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED, Mark 4:30-31.

1.

Just like the kingdom of God.

2.

Sown upon the earth.

3.

Less than all the seeds.

II.

WHEN IT IS GROWN, Mark 4:32 A.

1.

Greater than all the herbs.

2.

Putteth out branches.

III.

A PLACE FOR BIRDS, Mark 4:32 B.

1.

In branches.

2.

Under the shadow.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

I.

A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED, Mark 4:30-31.

Whereunto (or how) shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison (or parable) shall we compare it? In using the plural, we, our Lord seems to conceive of his disciples as deliberating with him in the choice of a comparison; not that he was in doubt as to how the gospel could be illustratedcomparisons thronged upon himbut because he would have them also watch for comparisons. The world was full of them, and they, the teachers of men in higher things, must learn, as well as their Master, to find them. Yet possibly he may sometimes, like any one of them, have had to feel after an illustration in nature that was suited to his thought,A grain of mustard-seed. There seems to be no good reason for looking elsewhere than to the ordinary mustard of the East. Thomson (The Land and the Book) has seen it as high as a horse and rider, (See also the beautiful incident in Dr. Hackett's Illustrations of Scripture, p. 124.A.H.) This is the Sinapis nigra; but some have thought that the Salvadora Persica was more probably the herb that Jesus had in mind. The former, however, meets all the real requirements of the case, and was the more familiar plant to his hearers. It (the Sinapis nigra) is a small grain producing a large result; the least of the husbandman's seeds, becoming the greatest of the husbandman's herbs. This is the point of the parable, and gives the only sense in which the kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard-seed (The Bible Educator, 1. 121).Less than and greater than are not to be pressed to the point of minute precision. There may be smaller seeds in existence without giving us reason to stumble at our Saviour's words. The mustard-seed was commonly spoken of as the smallest of seeds, and that is enough.

II.

WHEN IT IS GROWN, Mark 4:32 A.

Becometh greater than all the herbs. Matthew, is greater than the herbs, and becometh a treei.e., of course, a tree in appearance, not botanically. The great branches are such as one would think impossible upon an herb that sprang from so small a seed.The comparison calls for very little explanation, the lessonsmall beginnings and great resultsbeing very plain. Such is the kingdom, begun obscurely, with no human prospect of greatness, no seeming possibility of success. It began among the Jews, a disappointed people chafing under foreign masters; it was the smallest of sects among them; it contradicted their ideas, and was rejected by them; it seemed to be powerless at home, and without opportunities abroad; and its founder died on the cross. Even after the day of Pentecost it seemed but a feeble sect. Yet compare the strong language of Paul in Romans 16:26; Colossians 1:23 as to the wide extension of the gospel within the apostolic times.

III.

A PLACE FOR BIRDS, Mark 4:32 B.

Consider also the power of the name and principles of Jesus in the world today, and the ever-widening circle of Christian influence. The kingdom has grown out of all resemblance to its humble beginning. Such is the kingdom; and the same rule is to be observed in its agencies. They are often obscure and yet mighty. A single act of a quiet person often seems possessed of a germinant power of usefulness that brings most unexpected fruit to the glory of God. Christian history is full of illustrations. Notice that this comparison does not set forth the greatness of the kingdom absolutely, as destined to fill the earth, but only relatively, in contrast with the insignificance of its apparent promise. (W. N. Clarke).

FACT QUESTIONS 4:30-32

226.

Who does the planting of the mustard seed? Where?

227.

Does it help us in our work for Christ to know the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds? How?

228.

When was the seed of mustard first planted?

229.

Show how this parable has been fulfilledis being fulfilled and can be fulfilled.