Mat 13:31-32 | KingComments | STEP | The mustard seed is a tiny seed and represents the seed of the Christian church sown by the Lord. The seed is now not the person as in the previous parable, but the whole. In the next parable, that of the leaven, we see the same thing, because there too it is about the big picture and not about the individual. The Lord never intended this mustard seed to grow out of its strength. Yet it becomes a tree. A tree speaks of power. Assyria and Nebuchadnezzar are compared with them ( ; ; ). This parable shows that evil will not just be a mixture with a false confession, like the previous one about the tares, but something completely different will follow. The kingdom of heaven begins small and humble in the world. But it will take on great dimensions on earth. It will have its roots deep in man’s institutions and elevate itself to a colossal system with powerful influence on the earth. In church history this happened when Constantine adopted Christianity and the world became Christian. This third parable represents the development of the kingdom into an impressive phenomenon in people’s eyes. However, this realm will also provide shelter for evil instruments, for in this chapter the birds represent instruments of evil ( ; cf. ). It is the work of satan through human instruments.

‏ Matthew 13:31-32

Parable of the Mustard Seed

The mustard seed is a tiny seed and represents the seed of the Christian church sown by the Lord. The seed is now not the person as in the previous parable, but the whole. In the next parable, that of the leaven, we see the same thing, because there too it is about the big picture and not about the individual. The Lord never intended this mustard seed to grow out of its strength. Yet it becomes a tree. A tree speaks of power. Assyria and Nebuchadnezzar are compared with them (Isa 10:18-19; Eze 31:1-18; Dan 4:10-11 ; 26).

This parable shows that evil will not just be a mixture with a false confession, like the previous one about the tares, but something completely different will follow. The kingdom of heaven begins small and humble in the world. But it will take on great dimensions on earth. It will have its roots deep in man’s institutions and elevate itself to a colossal system with powerful influence on the earth. In church history this happened when Constantine adopted Christianity and the world became Christian.

This third parable represents the development of the kingdom into an impressive phenomenon in people’s eyes. However, this realm will also provide shelter for evil instruments, for in this chapter the birds represent instruments of evil (Mt 13:4 ; 19; cf. Rev 18:2). It is the work of satan through human instruments.