What the kingdom is like
The Mustard Seed
Also called The Smallest Seed
The smallest seed grows into a shrub large enough for birds to nest in.
What it turns on
Mustard was a weed. Farmers pulled it out. The kingdom is compared to something invasive.
30He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
31It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth,
32yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”
World English Bible, public domain. Read the whole chapter →
Told again in other gospels
The same parable, recorded differently. The differences are worth reading, not smoothing over.
Matthew 13:31-32Read it
31He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field;
32which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”
Luke 13:18-19Read it
18He said, “What is God’s Kingdom like? To what shall I compare it?
19It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and put in his own garden. It grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the sky live in its branches.”
More on what the kingdom is like
The SowerSeed falls on a path, on rock, among thorns, and on good soil. Only one yields.The YeastA woman mixes yeast into a large batch of flour until it works all the way through.The Hidden TreasureA man finds treasure buried in a field, and sells everything he has to buy that field.The Pearl of Great PriceA merchant finds one perfect pearl and sells his whole inventory to buy it.