As an illustration of how God can use even the smallest of our efforts, Jesus uses a mustard seed in the Bible. God truly does give us the ability to do great things with modest means. “My strength is made perfect in weakness,” Paul wrote, illustrating this idea. This saying alludes to the fact that we are less powerful than those who lead and dictate over us, but that God uses our weakness to accomplish great things. The words, “When I was weak, then I was strong,” come to mind from the book of Matthew (Matthew 12:25). Because he didn’t appear to be the strongest person, the strength of Jesus came as a shock to those around him (as described in this passage). As a native of Galilee, a region considered less important than Judea (the homeland of John the Baptist) and Jerusalem (the seat of King Herod’s rule), I was automatically at a disadvantage. Even though these areas may not have been very strong militarily, they had a lot of power and influence in ancient Israel. Jesus’ lack of authority was well-known, yet he still fed thousands on stones (Matthew 14:19–21) and drove out demons with only a word (Luke 11:20).learn more on
The meaning of a mustard seed. The lesson we can learn from a tiny mustard seed Originating in the woman’s question to Jesus in Matthew 17:20 about the tiniest of seeds. The mustard seed, he says, is the smallest of all seeds (with faith like a grain of mustard seed-you can move mountain). It’s rumored to be so minute that regular eyes would need a magnifying glass to spot it. This tiny seed is a metaphor for something invisible, such as faith. What, then, does a mustard seed symbolize? learn more on what does mustard seed represent,parable of the mustard seed mark.
Spiritual Meaning Of Mustard Seed
The mustard seed is an important symbol in the Christian tradition. In the Bible, Jesus says that “the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
The symbolism of the mustard seed is a metaphor for how something small can grow into something much larger. It’s also used to convey the idea that even though something may seem insignificant or weak, it can become powerful if you nourish it with love and care.
The mustard seed is often used in the Bible to represent something small, but with great potential.
In the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus tells a story about how the kingdom of heaven grew from something small. The kingdom began with just one single seed that grew into a tree so large that birds could rest in its branches.
It is also used as an analogy for faith in Jesus Christ. For example, in Matthew 17:20-21, Jesus says to his disciples (who are also his followers): “Because you have so little faith.” This means that even though they had been following him for some time and believed he was the Son of God, they still doubted him. He then tells them that if they can believe as small as a mustard seed, they would be able to move mountains.
This shows that even though we may feel like our faith is weak or not strong enough, if we work hard enough at it and put our trust in God’s plan for us, we can do great things—like moving mountains!
As with all parables, the purpose of the Parable of the Mustard Seed is to teach a concept or “big idea” using various narrative elements or details that are common, easily recognized, and usually representational of something else. While the elements themselves do have importance, an overemphasis on the details or literal focus on an element usually leads to interpretive errors and missing the main point of the parable.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed is a short one: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 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).
One of the possible practical reasons that Jesus used parables such as this is that, by depicting concepts in word pictures, the message is not readily lost to changes in word usage, technology, cultural context, or the passage of time. Literal, detailed narratives are more susceptible to becoming archaic or obsolescent. Two thousand years later, the imagery is still vivid. We can still understand the concept of a growing seed. Jesus’ parables are brilliant in their simplicity. This storytelling approach also promotes practicing principles rather than inflexible adherence to laws.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed is contained in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–19). In this parable, Jesus predicts the amazing growth of the kingdom of heaven. The mustard seed is quite small, but it grows into a large shrub—up to ten feet in height—and Jesus says this is a picture of kingdom growth. The point of the Parable of the Mustard Seed is that something big and blessed—the kingdom of God—had humble beginnings. How significant could the short ministry of Christ be? He had but a handful of followers, He was a man of no rank and without means, and He lived in what everyone considered a backwater region of the world. The life and death of Christ did not catch the world’s attention any more than a mustard seed would lying on the ground by the road. But this was a work of God. What seemed inconsequential at first grew into a movement of worldwide influence, and no one could stop it (see Acts 5:38–39). The influence of the kingdom in this world would be such that everyone associated with it would find a benefit—pictured as the birds perched on the branches of the mature mustard plant.
Elsewhere in Scripture, the kingdom of God is also pictured as a tree. A passage in Ezekiel, for example, parallels the Parable of the Mustard Seed in many ways. In this prophecy, the Lord God promises to plant a shoot “on a high and lofty mountain” (Ezekiel 17:22). This small sprig “will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches” (Ezekiel 17:23). This messianic prophecy foretells the growth of Christ’s kingdom from very small beginnings to a sizable, sheltering place.
Some have wondered why, in the Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus calls the mustard seed the “smallest” of seeds and the mature mustard plant the “largest” of plants in the garden, when there were smaller seeds and larger plants. The answer is that Jesus is using rhetorical hyperbole—an exaggeration to make a point. He is not speaking botanically but proverbially. Jesus’ emphasis is on the change of size—from small to large—and the surprising nature of the growth.
The history of the church has shown Jesus’ Parable of the Mustard Seed to be true. The church has experienced an explosive rate of growth through the centuries. It is found worldwide and is a source of sustenance and shelter for all who seek its blessing. In spite of persecution and repeated attempts to stamp it out, the church has flourished. And it’s only a small picture of the ultimate manifestation of the kingdom of God, when Jesus returns to earth to rule and reign from Zion.
What Does Mustard Seed Represent
The spiritual meaning of the mustard seed is rebirth. It’s said that when the seed is planted, it grows into a plant that produces tiny seeds that can be used to make tinctures and oils. The mustard plant is also known for its ability to grow in harsh conditions, like rocky soil or dry areas. This makes it a great metaphor for how we can grow in hard times and come out on top.
We all have trouble growing sometimes—whether it’s because of our environment or just because we feel like something is holding us back from moving forward. But if we plant our seeds in faith, they will grow into something beautiful.