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Mustard Seed in The Bible
The Bible mentions the mustard seed several times, primarily in the context of Jesus using it in parables to illustrate the Kingdom of God.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples that if they have faith as small as a mustard seed, they can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). This statement suggests that even a small amount of faith can be powerful and effective.
In another parable, found in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grows into a large tree (Matthew 13:31-32, Luke 13:18-19). This parable suggests that the Kingdom of God may start small, but it will grow into something great and expansive.
The mustard seed was also used in ancient Jewish culture as a symbol of smallness and insignificance. So, when Jesus used it to describe the Kingdom of God, he was emphasizing the idea that God’s Kingdom may seem small and insignificant at first, but it will eventually become a powerful and transformative force in the world.
Overall, the Bible uses the mustard seed as a symbol of smallness, faith, and growth, emphasizing that even the smallest amount of faith can lead to great things.
Matthew 13:32 (KJV)
“Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Matthew 13:31-32 (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: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”
Mark 11:22-24 (KJV)
“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. “
Luke 13:18-21 (KJV)
“Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”
Matthew 17:20 (KJV)
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
