Parable of the Mustard Seed
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds, which grows into a large plant where birds find shelter.
Parallel Accounts
Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
Could not load verse text.
Could not load verse text.
Could not load verse text.
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.
Explore Further
Matthew and Mark place this parable in the lakeside teaching session; Luke places it later in the journey narrative. Mark adds the unique parable of the seed growing secretly (4:26-29), which neither Matthew nor Luke include. The "birds of the air" echoes Daniel 4:12 and Ezekiel 17:23, evoking empires that shelter nations.
Part of the seven-parable discourse in chapter 13; the seed is planted in a "field."
Emphasizes the contrast between smallest seed and greatest of garden plants.
Places the parable in a different context and says the seed was planted in a "garden."
The bulk of Jesus's public work centered in Galilee: calling of the Twelve, the Sermon on the Mount, parables, miracles, and growing opposition.
All pericopes