Let’s look at two more verses in which Jesus talks about the mustard seed. The gospel of Jesus spread quickly, just like our mustard. If this isn’t our parable of the mustard seed coming to life, I don’t know what is!Īnother interesting fact about mustard is that it not only grows to a large shrub from a small seed, but it spreads very quickly, often taking over gardens and other carefully planted areas. It is estimated that by AD 150 the Christian population was 40,000 and by AD 200 the population had grown to 218,000. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47) They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They were awaiting the promised Comforter.Īfter Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost we read, The first chapter of Acts tells us that there was a group of 120 that met together “constantly in prayer” after Jesus ascended into heaven. The mustard seed symbolizes Jesus establishing his kingdom. God’s people, His family of believers, or His church are the kingdom of God. The one he was sent to establish and eventually rule over. Jesus is referring to God’s kingdom here on earth. Matthew always uses the expression “kingdom of Heaven” referring to the ancient writing of King David “The Lord is King forever and ever the nations will perish from his land.” (Psalm 10:16) and “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood the Lord is enthroned as King forever.” (Psalm 29:10) The “kingdom of Heaven” or the “kingdom of God” are used interchangeably. I’m guessing there was a mix-up in the interpretation and while we could go back and diligently research the Greek, Latin, and Aramaic, we might lose focus on God’s point. Mustard is a large shrub with some varieties reaching six feet.

Now, if you’ve ever seen a carrot seed, you know that it is smaller than a mustard seed, and I read somewhere that scientists have determined that orchids have the smallest seeds (interesting tidbit to look into if you are curious).Īlso, Jesus tells us that the seed grows to be a tree and that is simply not true. I have heard people get hung up on the fact that Jesus says the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. (Luke 13:18-19) What Does the Mustard Seed Symbolize? It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches. Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32 NIV) He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. We will study the parables first and then take a closer look at what he teaches us about faith. He mentions it in parables as well as in an illustration about faith. The mustard seed is mentioned several times by Jesus.

Faith of a mustard seed