A few of Jesus' parables have allegorical elements, such as the Parable of the Tenants (20:9-19). It appears in Matthew (13:31–32), Mark (4:30–32), and Luke (13:18–19). Let's try to see what the point or points of comparison are. To do this, he uses the example of the mustard tree, refers to the small size of its seed and the contrasting height of the grown plant. Parable of the mustard seed and the leaven Scripture: Luke 13:18-21. Here is the progress of the gospel foretold in two parables, as in Mt 13. But the parables we are studying today are NOT allegories but simple comparisons. Say: The parable of the mustard seed also describes how God’s kingdom grows in the life of each believer. Mustard is closer to being a weed than wheat. In this parable, the small seed is the church, which appeared as the firstfruits of the Word. Telling them it’s a mustard seed gives me an opportunity to relate a short parable of Jesus Christ where He used a mustard seed to explain the Kingdom of God. 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a … The mustard seed was used frequently to … The mustard seed was the smallest seed known at the time. The Mustard Seed parable has often been sadly reduced to "From small beginnings come great endings." In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, it is immediately followed by the Parable of the Leaven, which shares this parable's theme of the Kingdom of Heaven growing from small beginnings. 31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. (It’s also found in Matthew, Mark and Luke where Jesus described the kingdom of heaven .) And to what shall I compare it? New International Version The little mustard seed is used in both Matthew and Luke to provide a picture of faith. The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Since it is set among the accounts emphasizing abundant harvests, Matthew may have this idea in mind as it pertains to the ultimate triumph of God's dominion, but such a reading also overlooks the parabolic difficulties it poses. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” No one can see it from the outside, but it is definitely there. The Mustard Seed parable has often been sadly reduced to "From small beginnings come great endings." The field represents all the people of the earth who will receive Him. This is similar to the mustard seed being planted in the ground. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches. Here's what it means. Like a Mustard Seed (13:19a) "It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. But the parables we are studying today are NOT allegories but simple comparisons. When a person puts his trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of him (2 Corinthians 5:5). less than all the seeds] “Small as a grain of mustard seed” was a proverbial expression among the Jews for something exceedingly minute. The mustard seed represents the Gospel, starting very small but growing to reach millions throughout the world who will inherit the kingdom. Another parable he put before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.". But somehow, its real message is lost on many of us. The parable of the mustard seed is a well-known story to many Christians. In Matthew chapter 17, Jesus was talking to his disciples about why they could not cast out a demon to heal a boy of his seizures; whereas in Luke 17 He was dealing with the human difficulty of forgiving people. The kingdom of the Messiah is the kingdom of God. The mustard seed is something small that does its part to expand in preparation for the Kingdom of God.