Kingdom Parables
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THE KINGDOM PARABLES<br />
CHAPTER FOUR<br />
THE MUSTARD TREE<br />
4.1 THE PARABLE<br />
Three gospels report this parable in almost identical words. We can read<br />
them on Matt. 13: 31-32; Mk.4 30-32 and in Lk. 13: 18,19<br />
"The <strong>Kingdom</strong> of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed<br />
in his field ("garden" Lukes version). It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has<br />
grown it is the greatest of all shrubs (herb) and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the<br />
air comes and make nests in its branches." (Matt. 13)<br />
"It is like grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest<br />
of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all<br />
shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the aid can make nests in<br />
its shades"<br />
(Mark 4)<br />
The introduction of this parable is given by Mark in a striking way. Here<br />
Jesus says, "With what can I compare the <strong>Kingdom</strong> of God or what<br />
parable shall we use for it?" (Mk 4:30)<br />
Luke also describes a similar expression "What is the kingdom of God<br />
like? And to what shall I compare it?" (Luke 13:18)<br />
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