Matthew 13:31-32 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31

Another parable put he forth unto them ( Matthew 13:24 , note), saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto ( Matthew 13:24 , note; also Matthew 11:16 , note) a grain of mustard seed. "The Common Mustard of Palestine is Sinapis nigra, of the order Cruciferae, the Black Mustard, which is found abundantly in a wild state, and is also cultivated in the gardens for its seed. It is the same as our own Mustard, but grows especially in the richer soils of the Jordan valley to a much... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31

The hope that may be in little things. Dr. Royle thinks the mustard is the plant called in Syria khardal, and known to botanists as the Salvadora persica. From a small seed it grows into a considerable tree, and its fruit has a pleasant aromatic taste; birds like it much, and frequent the branches. It is said that it grew abundantly on the shores of the Lake of Galilee, and so came under Christ's direct notice. But Dr. Thomson thinks the khardal was very rare in Palestine, and that our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31-32

The parable of the mustard seed. Parallel passages: Mark 4:30-32 ; Luke 13:18 , Luke 13:19 . The central thought of the parable is the growth of the kingdom of heaven considered externally. Although it has small beginnings, it is to have a marvellous expansion, so that even those who naturally are outside it are glad to avail themselves of its protection. Observe that we have no right to limit its growth either to the reputation of its principles alone or to the power of its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31-32

The herb that is a tree. Note, in introduction, how much of most relevant suggestion is comprised in this very brief parable, not nevertheless of the essence of its direct meaning or direct object. E.g. is it not almost a parable within a parable to be able to observe on the appropriateness of the use of the illustration of the small mustard seed, and the seed instanced being such kind of seed as the mustard seed, to characterize Jesus Christ himself (the Sower of the seed of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31-33

The mustard seed and the leaven. These parables illustrate the worldwide growth and influence of the kingdom of heaven. It might not be wonderful that a peasant living in remote Syrian highlands should have dared to predict such a vast future for his work if he were only speaking in the enthusiasm of hope; but it is the wonder of the ages that the Galilaean predictions have been verified by history, which has proved that the Speaker uttered true words and was able to realize what he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31-35

Parable and prophecy. The spirit of prophecy in ancient times enshrined itself in parables. The prophecy of Balaam, accordingly, is called "his parable" ( Numbers 23:18 ). Under the parable of two eagles and a vine Ezekiel shows forth the judgments of God upon Jerusalem for revolting from Babylon to Egypt ( Ezekiel 18:1-32 .; see also Ezekiel 24:3 ; Micah 2:4-6 ; Habakkuk 2:6 ). So are the parables of Christ prophetic. Observe— I. THAT JESUS TAUGHT IN PARABLES IN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:32

Which indeed is the least of ( is less than, Revised Version) all seeds; i.e. all those ordinarily sown in Palestine then. Instances of the proverbial use in the Talmuds of the size of a grain of mustard to express something very small, may be seen in Levy, s.v. לדרח . But when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs; it is greater than the herbs (Revised Version); i.e. than those which are usually called λάχανα . And becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 13:31-32

See also Mark 4:30-32. The kingdom of heavens See the notes at Matthew 3:2. It means here either piety in a renewed heart or the church. In either case the commencement is small. In the heart it is at first feeble, easily injured, and much exposed. In the church there were few at first, ignorant, unknown, and unhonored; yet soon it was to spread through the world.Grain of mustard-seed - The plant here described was very different from that which is known among us. It was several years before it... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 13:31-32

Matthew 13:31-32. Another parable put he forth The two former parables relate chiefly to unfruitful hearers: the two that follow, to those who bear good fruit. The kingdom of heaven Both the gospel dispensation in the world, and the kingdom of grace in the souls of true believers, especially the former; is like to a grain of mustard-seed Small and contemptible in its beginning. Which is indeed the least of all seeds “That is, of all those seeds with which the people of Judea were then... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 13:24-43

55. Wheat and weeds; mustard seed; yeast (Matthew 13:24-43; Mark 4:30-34; Luke 13:18-21)In another parable, two types of seed produce two types of plants in the same field. The plants, wheat and weeds, are not separated while they are growing, but are left till harvest time. Then the wheat is put into the farmer’s barn but the weeds are destroyed (Matthew 13:24-30).As with the parable of the sower, Jesus gave his disciples an interpretation (Matthew 13:34-36; cf. v. 10,16-18). In the present... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:31-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:32

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 13:31-32

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 13:31-32

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 13:24-43

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