Matthew 13 31

Matthew 13:31 kjv

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Matthew 13:31 nkjv

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,

Matthew 13:31 niv

He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.

Matthew 13:31 esv

He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.

Matthew 13:31 nlt

Here is another illustration Jesus used: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.

Matthew 13 verses

Matthew 13 31 Meaning

The parable in Matthew 13:31 introduces the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven as something that begins small and insignificantly, much like a mustard seed, but possesses an inherent capacity for vast, surprising growth. It describes the initial, humble act of planting this Kingdom into the world by a man, foreshadowing its remarkable development and eventual widespread impact.

Matthew 13 31 Context

Matthew chapter 13 serves as a pivotal collection of parables taught by Jesus, collectively revealing various facets of the Kingdom of Heaven. Following the significant Parable of the Sower, this verse introduces the Parable of the Mustard Seed, forming part of a sequence (including the Leaven parable) that specifically highlights the unexpected, surprising growth of the Kingdom from unassuming origins. At this time, Jewish expectations of the Messiah often envisioned an immediate, politically powerful, and visibly glorious earthly kingdom. Jesus' parables in this chapter, however, subtly challenged these popular views, underscoring the Kingdom's spiritual nature, its gradual expansion, and its quiet initiation through Christ's ministry, contrasting starkly with a prevailing emphasis on overt, nationalistic displays of power.

Matthew 13 31 Word analysis

• "He told them another parable:"
  • Signifies a continuation of Jesus' primary method of instructing about the Kingdom, using everyday analogies. The word "another" (ἄλλην - allēn) emphasizes that this parable further clarifies the nature of the same subject—the Kingdom of Heaven—that was addressed in the preceding parables.
• "The kingdom of heaven" (ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν - hē basileía tōn ouranōn):
  • This is Matthew's unique terminology for what other Gospels call the "Kingdom of God." The use of "heaven" is a Jewish idiom to show reverence for God's name without explicitly uttering it, highlighting God's transcendent sovereignty.
  • It represents God's sovereign rule, active reign, and redemptive sphere, which has invaded the present age through Christ, establishing God's will and saving power among humanity. It is not merely a place but a dynamic, unfolding reality.
• "is like" (ὁμοία ἐστίν - homoia estin):
  • A comparative particle signifying "it is similar to" or "it resembles." It denotes that what follows is an analogy or a similitude, providing an illustrative example to explain an abstract spiritual truth, rather than a direct, exhaustive definition.
• "a mustard seed," (κόκκῳ σινάπεως - kokkō sinápeōs):
  • Refers to the seed of the black mustard plant (Brassica nigra or Sinapis arvensis), which was proverbially known in ancient Palestine for being one of the smallest seeds sown. While smaller seeds exist botanically, the mustard seed served as a powerful cultural metaphor for extreme minuteness.
  • Symbolizes the incredibly humble, almost imperceptible, and seemingly insignificant origins of the Kingdom of Heaven when it was first inaugurated through Jesus Christ's ministry.
• "which a man took" (ὃν λαβὼν ἄνθρωπος - hon labōn ánthrōpos):
  • "Man" (ánthrōpos) here likely refers to Jesus Himself, given the explicit identification of "the Son of Man" as the "sower" in the Parable of the Weeds (Mt 13:37). This emphasizes Christ's personal and intentional role in establishing and initiating the Kingdom.
  • The act of "taking" (labōn) suggests a deliberate and purposeful action of sowing, not an accidental occurrence.
• "and planted in his field" (ἔβαλεν εἰς τὸν ἀγρὸν αὐτοῦ - ébalen eis ton agròn autoū):
  • The verb ébalen, often translated "threw" or "cast," refers to the simple, agricultural act of scattering seeds.
  • "His field" (ton agròn autoū) is explicitly identified by Jesus in the Parable of the Weeds (Mt 13:38) as "the world" (ὁ κόσμος - ho kósmos). This indicates the Kingdom's scope and its intention to permeate and spread throughout all of humanity, not being confined to a particular land or people.

Matthew 13 31 Bonus section

The type of mustard plant referenced (likely Black Mustard, Brassica nigra) is unique in that while its seed is tiny, the plant itself can grow exceptionally large, up to 10-15 feet in height, becoming quite tree-like in stature in the Middle East. This substantial growth is critical to understanding the parable's climax in the subsequent verse (Mt 13:32), where "birds come and make nests in its branches," symbolizing the Kingdom's universality and capacity to offer refuge and gather all peoples into itself. This demonstrates God's method of working from apparent weakness to ultimate strength, showcasing His divine power and faithfulness in expanding His reign from Christ's initial, humble presence to a global, encompassing reality. The parable subtly teaches patience and trust in God's timetable and method, emphasizing the inherent, organic nature of the Kingdom's growth rather than human efforts or forced expansion.

Matthew 13 31 Commentary

Matthew 13:31 introduces the profound truth that the Kingdom of Heaven operates on a principle contrary to human expectation: it begins not with overt power or visible majesty, but with humble and unassuming origins. Jesus likens God's redemptive reign, initiated through His modest earthly ministry, to a tiny mustard seed, an object proverbially synonymous with insignificance. Yet, this parable powerfully illustrates that this minute beginning possesses an inherent, divinely ordained vitality for phenomenal growth. The "man" planting the seed is Jesus Himself, intentionally sowing the seeds of the Kingdom within the "field" of the world. This narrative reassures that despite its inconspicuous start, the Kingdom's organic and spiritual growth is assured to be pervasive and ultimately transformative, defying its initially small appearance.Example: The early church started with a small group of disciples, initially gathered in an upper room. This tiny group, through the power of the Holy Spirit and the message of the Gospel, grew into a global movement affecting billions.Example: A single act of faith or small ministry by an ordinary person can, by God's power, lead to widespread positive change over time.