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Matthew 13:31

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Matthew 13:31

Verse 31 of 58

Scripture focus

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 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 13:31

Theological / Devotional

Another parable. [The Mustard Seed, Matt. 13:31, 32=Mark 4:30-32. Major comment: Matthew. On parables see pp. 203-207.] The parable of the Mustard Seed as given in Luke is essentially identical with the similar ones recorded in Matthew (ch. 13:31, 32) and Mark (ch. 4:30-32), though more brief, and appears as part of the Peraean ministry about a year later, at which time Christ repeated much of His former teachings (DA 488).

Kingdom of heaven. For comment see on Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 5:3; Luke 4:19.

Mustard seed. This probably refers to the Sinapis nigra, or black mustard, which grows wild in abundance in Palestine but is also often cultivated for its seeds, which are used as a condiment. In Jewish literature the mustard seed is frequently referred to proverbially to denote minuteness.

Took, and sowed. The mustard of the parable was not wild. It did not grow by accident.

His field. Though Satan, the enemy, claimed this world as his, it was nevertheless God’s “field.” This was particularly true of the church, possibly also here especially referred to as “his field” (see COL 70).

By SdaBc