However, the Gospel of Matthew provides us with the most peripheral information, as it includes one parable before and after the mustard seed parable, each teaching on the same subject. ― Mathew 13:31-32, English Standard Version. "THE GOSPEL OF MARK" The Parable Of The Mustard Seed (4:30-32) INTRODUCTION 1. The mighty mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32) Compared to the previous parable’s matter-of-factness, the story of the mustard seed reads like a dense novella. THE MESSAGE OF THE MIGHTY. Then the focus shifted toward controversy with religious leaders when Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic (2:1-12), ate with tax collectors and sinners (2:18-22), defended The parable of the grain of mustard-seed, and a general account of Christ's parables (v. 30-34). Answer: In a rare Biblical occurrence, the mustard seed parable is given on two separate occasions. It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." That’s what it does. The Parable of the Mustard Seed Mark 4:30-34 Delivered 04/02/2006. In verse 19, instead of saying "birds of the air," Jesus interprets them as "the wicked one"devouring the seed. In his version, Mark uses the specific word "Satan," and similarly, Luke has "the Devil. The detail of branches in which birds nest (v 31) manifestly recalls Ezekiel 17:23. Mark 4:31-32a “ 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32 yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches…” Jesus compares the kingdom to a mustard seed. In "The Parable Of The Growing Seed" , kingdom growth caused by the Word is illustrated as: a. Imperceptible - in that we may not always understand how the growth occurs b. The miracle of Christ's sudden stilling a storm at sea (v. 35-41). IV. Matthew 13:4 It does not sound good that the birds eat the seed—and it is not. The first time took place between the second (28 A.D.) and third (29 A.D.) Passover seasons of Jesus' ministry (Matthew 13:31 - 32, Mark 4:30 - 32). For instance, while in the Gospel of Mark, it states that the mustard seed “grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants”, in the Gospels of Luke and Mathew, it says that the mustard seed grows and becomes a tree. The Parable of the Mustard Seed is contained in all three of the synoptic gospels (Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–19). Mark 4:30-34. The Mustard Seed . Though the parable is the same, note the slight differences in each of these versions. She asked for a playhouse and her father had a cabin built for her. She was born into a wealthy family that owned a vast estate in that area. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Mark 4:26-34 EXEGESIS: MARK 1-4. Contrast between insignificant beginning and mighty achievement is primary - but the seed does grow into a plant. OVERVIEW In chapter 1, Jesus called his first disciples and began his preaching and healing ministry. We saw last week that the parable of the seed growing mysteriously spoke of the transition period and how the kingdom of God would grow to maturity by the end of the age. MUSTARD SEED. As a lamp belongs on a lampstand (Mark 4:21-22), God’s reign, like a seed, must grow, even if untended and even if its gradual expansion is nearly impossible to detect. T. he parable of the Mustard Seed (4:30-32) is another parable of contrast; but again the idea of growth must be given due weight. The "birds of the air" are a negative symbol. 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