And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we compare it?
και ελεγεν τινι ομοιωσωμεν ομοιωσομεν την βασιλειαν του θεου η εν ποια παραβολη παραβαλωμεν αυτην
6 Church Fathers comment on this verse
We have been granted the promise that we will come to know fully, just as we are fully known (1 Cor. 13:12). If it is beyond my reach to attain complete knowledge of all that exists in this life, what else is left for me? What can I look forward to? Surely, you might mention the Kingdom of Heaven. However, I believe that this pertains solely to the understanding of what is purest and most perfect. Ultimately, the greatest of all attainments is the knowledge of God.
In two short parables, He illustrated the gradual unfolding of His kingdom, which begins in a subtle and seemingly insignificant manner but ultimately grows to encompass the entirety of the world. It is likened to a mustard seed and to leaven (this parable is also referenced later in connection with Matthew and Luke, specifically in Luke 13:18-21). The mustard seed parable emphasizes the outward manifestation of Christ's kingdom, while the leaven parable focuses on its inner workings. The Gospel of Mark highlights the concept of the latter parable even more distinctly (4:26).
The parable of the mustard seed follows the parable of the tares, where Jesus Christ shares an important lesson. John Chrysostom draws a connection between these stories. In the parable of the sower, it is noted that out of all the seeds sown, three parts perish, and only one part survives; the parable of the tares further explains that even that surviving seed is at risk due to the tares. Upon hearing these teachings, the disciples may have felt disheartened by the limited number of those who could be saved. Consequently, the Lord presents them with the parable of the mustard seed. This seed, being the tiniest of all seeds, grows into a mighty plant, larger than all others, spreading great branches that provide shelter for the birds of the air. This is analogous to the act of preaching.
Though His disciples appeared weak and humiliated, the latent power they possessed was immense, allowing the Gospel to spread across the world.
Blessed Jerome also remarks on this matter, stating that ‘The Gospel preaching is the least of all doctrines. At first, it may seem unlikely: it speaks of man and God, of God’s death, and the scandal of the Cross. When compared with the doctrines of philosophers, with their sophisticated writings and eloquent speech, it appears that the Gospel seed is insignificant. However, when it takes root, that smallest seed does not wither; rather, it grows strong and vibrant. The message of the Gospel, though small at first, once sown in the hearts of believers or across the entire world, grows into a robust tree. The kingdom of God, the kingdom of Christ on earth, or the church, initially seems quite modest, resembling a mustard seed, but over time, it has expanded to embrace many nations, just as the branches of a mustard tree provide refuge for numerous birds. The mustard seed is so diminutive that the Jews of that era had a saying: small as a mustard seed. Unlike the annual plants of our region, it is a perennial shrub that can reach substantial heights, allowing a man on horseback to pass beneath its branches, while large flocks of birds nestle upon them.
In order to enlighten the disciples about the profound truths of the kingdom of heaven, the Savior presented them with several additional parables that elaborated on the central theme. The parable of the sower illustrated the process of seed planting and the varying responses of different hearts to the seed. The Savior then elaborated on the seed's ability to flourish within a receptive spirit. The Kingdom of God is likened to a mustard seed (Matt. 13:31-32, Mk. 4:30-34), which, though one of the tiniest seeds, grows into a tree that surpasses all others, providing refuge for the birds of the air in its branches. Similarly, it is compared to leaven that a woman mixes into three measures of flour until the entire batch rises.
Just as the mustard seed, by its inherent nature, becomes a towering tree, and leaven permeates all the dough, the New Testament kingdom, despite its modest origins, is destined to extend its reach across the entire world and infuse it with its inner essence. To establish this kingdom would not entail any outward, violent revolutions or harsh conflicts, as some of His listeners might have thought. Rather, the Savior conveyed that the kingdom of heaven would achieve victory through the power of truth intrinsic to its being, and through this transformative power—faith and love—it would renew the world.
"To what shall we be likened?" This phrase appears to ponder how to clarify the people's understanding of the Kingdom of God. It seeks to identify a more relatable analogy or a simpler image that can resonate more effectively with their comprehension.
In the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven, the Lord illustrated the gradual development and spread of His divine kingdom. Although it may seem small and inconsequential at first, it will ultimately grow to encompass the entire world. The first parable emphasizes the external expansion of Christ's kingdom, while the second highlights its internal influence. The kingdom of heaven is akin to a grain of mustard, the tiniest of seeds, yet when it flourishes, it surpasses all others and transforms into a tree, allowing birds of the air to rest on its branches. The mustard seed brings forth a plant that, although initially small, can grow to the size of a tree in the East, providing shelter for birds.
This small seed and expansive tree serve as a vivid representation of Christ's gracious kingdom, which may start modestly in the world but will ultimately become magnificent as the number of believers increases. Similarly, the kingdom of heaven is compared to leaven, which a woman takes and hides in three measures of flour until the whole batch rises. Likewise, the faith in Christ subtly permeates the world and the depths of human spirit, imparting its life-renewing power—restoring, cleansing, and sanctifying all it touches.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 14 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS