Mark 4:30

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

30 And He said: "How can we illustrate the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it?

Mark 4:30 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 4:30

And he said
Still continuing his discourse on this subject, and in order to convey to the minds of his disciples clearer ideas of the Gospel dispensation, the success of the Gospel, and the usefulness of their ministration of it, for their encouragement, how unpromising soever things might then be:

whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God, or with what comparison
shall we compare it?
It was usual with the Jewish doctors, when about to illustrate anything in a parabolical way to begin with such like questions; as, (hmwd rbdh hml) , "to what is this thing like" ^F4? when the answer is to such or such thing, as here.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 T. Hieros. Bava Bathra, fol. 16. 2. T. Bab. Zebachim, fol. 82. 1. & Sabbat, fol. 108. 1. & passim.

Mark 4:30 In-Context

28 The soil produces a crop by itself-first the blade, then the head, and then the ripe grain on the head.

29 But as soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because harvest has come."

30 And He said: "How can we illustrate the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it?

31 It's like a mustard seed that, when sown in the soil, is smaller than all the seeds on the ground.

32 And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the vegetables, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its shade."