Matthew 13:31-32

Matthew 13:31-32

[31] Another  parable  put he forth  unto them,  saying,  The kingdom  of heaven  like  to a grain  of mustard seed,  which  a man  took,  and sowed  in  his  field:  [32] Which  indeed  the least  of all  seeds:  but  when  it is grown,  among herbs,  and  becometh  a tree,  so that  the birds  of the air  come  and  lodge  in  the branches  thereof. 

What does Matthew 13:31-32 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The mustard seed was so small that the Jews used it proverbially to represent a very small thing (cf. Matthew 17:20). [1] When mature, the mustard plant stood10 to12feet tall as "the largest of garden plants" (NIV). [2] Consequently it became a perch for birds. Several Old Testament passages use a tree with birds flocking to its branches to illustrate a kingdom that people perceive as great ( Judges 9:15; Psalm 104:12; Ezekiel 17:22-24; Ezekiel 31:3-14; Daniel 4:7-23). The birds evidently represent those who seek shelter in the kingdom.
The Jews correctly believed that the messianic kingdom would be very large. Why did Jesus choose the mustard plant since it did not become as large as some other plants? Evidently He did so because of the small beginning of the mustard plant. The contrast between an unusually small beginning and a large mature plant is the point of this parable. [3] Jesus" ministry began despicably small in the eyes of many Jews. Nevertheless from this small beginning would come the worldwide kingdom predicted in the Old Testament. [4]