Mustard Seed Parable

[OneAccord]

Mark 4:30Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the "birds of the air" may nest under it's shade.

In 4:15 we are told that the "birds of the air" are Satan stealing away the seeds of the word.

I'm finding very conflicting interpretations of this parable as I research it.  We had an interesting Bible Study discussion about it last week.

Mustard plants are not large like trees by any means.  I believe this parable tells us about the UNNATURAL growth of the apostate church that would come out of the planting of the mustard seed--faith teachings.  It shoots out branches so large that the birds of the air, the demons can nest under it's shade.

Anyone want to take this up?

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings One Accord,

Here is Easton's comment about the "mustard seed":

A plant of the genus sinapis, a pod-bearing, shrub-like plant, growing wild, and also cultivated in gardens. The little round seeds were an emblem of any small insignificant object. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament; and in each of the three instances of its occurrence in the New Testament (Matt. 13:31, 32; Mark 4:31, 32; Luke 13:18, 19) it is spoken of only with reference to the smallness of its seed. The common mustard of Palestine is the Sinapis nigra. This garden herb sometimes grows to a considerable height, so as to be spoken of as "a tree" as compared with garden herbs.

Regarding the "birds" in vs. 15, you can't take the lessons from THAT parable and apply it to ANOTHER parable. The same goes for just about every other parable in the Bible.

I believe the "seed" refers to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its inception was very small and became very great. That is about as far as you can accurately read into the parable.

A better study would be the study of "herbs". They are used to do wonderful things to food - aroma and taste and appearance. If I recall correctly, the "mustard plant" has all three in abundance, thus a suitable "seed" for comparing the Gospel to.

The point of referring to the "birds", is just to emphasize the comparative size of the mustard plant over all the other herbs of the garden.

Hope that helps.

Dad Ernie

[Guest Boron]

There are other parables that speak of the same thing

[OneAccord]

Thank you, Boron, I think it is very instructive to take another hard look at this and other parables.

Matthew 13 has a series of 7 parables, in which the mustard seed parable is included.  I just read an extremely interesting study of this chapter.  These seven parables were equated to the growth and progression of the church, and reveal the  presence of the apostate church within in true church. The first about the sowing of the seed refers to the early church planting.  

Then the wheat and the tares parable shows us how the enemy also did a planting right in the midst of the good seed.  Hence the tares have always grown up alonside the wheat.

Then the parable of the mustard seed, this humble seed grew so extremely large so that the 'birds of the air' have nested in its branches.

Then the parable of the leaven.  I've seen this one interpreted as leaven being the Word, but everywhere else in the Bible leaven is sin.

As for symbols not translating from one parable to another, I'd have to question mark that one.

[nebula]

:c: How do you then interpret Matthew 6:26 -

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? "

I think comparing birds here to evil takes away from the point of the teaching.  The context makes more sense if you see these as just (physical) birds.

[OneAccord]

Good point.  I guess it gets pretty confusing when types and symbols are not consistent in the Word.

Check out Rev 18:2 ......Babylon the great is fallen, fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!

                   

These birds are definitely evil and can be likened to demons.

I find it interesting that these branches did not bear fruit, but instead housed the birds of the air.

[Ovedya]

Mustard plants are not large like trees by any means.

[Guest Boron]

Oneaccord, the reason why I believe the short parable in Matt. 13:33 is speaking  of apostasy in the last days is primarily because of the tenor of all the associated parables in this chapter is negaitve.  Traditionally, this verse has meant the spreading of the word of God throughout the world.  But the associated symbolism doesn't match up with that interpretation.

[OneAccord]

God-man:

Which Bible Stduy was that out of?  It is EXACTLY in line with what I have come to learn about this parable and the seven in Matthew 13, even to the part of the parables corresponding to the seven churches in Rev. and the seven church ages.  I'm very interested in which Bible study you are using.

Boron:

Yes, in context with the parables around it, it does seem to speak of apostasy.  I think that there are a lot of 'traditional' interpretations of these parables that need a second look.  Thank you so much for the affirmation, I'll take it up with my Bible study group tonight again.

[Ovedya]

God-man:

Which Bible Stduy was that out of?