Mark 4:30-32 — Mustard Seeds and Birds of the Air

Mark 4:30-32
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, 
                          or what parable shall we use for it? 
It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, 
    is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 
                                                    yet when it is sown it grows up 
and becomes larger than all the garden plants 
  and puts out large branches, 
                    so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

Comments:

When he was teaching, Jesus commonly used several different types of parables. This type today is called a “Similitude.” Examples of this type include the Leaven in the Meal and the Mustard seed. A similitude it true to life in the way it uses its imagery.

What is said about the leaven, sowing, or mustard seeds is always true of them. Such “parables” are more like object lessons taken from everyday life that Jesus used to make a point. No explanation was needed, only application.

Young Mustard Plant in Nazareth

Jesus' parables in this chapter depict and describe the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God seems to start as the smallest seed that can be found in Israel. Jesus came in a very humble way—his body developed in the womb of a woman, he was born in "a stable" and lived in Nazareth. A small seed indeed, but if the seed should fall to the ground and die (another parable) it bears great fruit. So too the kingdom of God can be planted into the life of an individual by a simple, seemingly insignificant act of kindness—that may be used of God to bring that person to respond and experience repentance and subsequent spiritual growth. Such a profound change takes place when the kingdom of God grows in a person's life that they not only are no longer a risk of being picked apart by the hungry birds of hell but that even their enemies have to acknowledge that even they can benefit from it.

Alfred Edersheim wrote,

“...that the Kingdom of Heaven, planted in a field of the world as the smallest seed, in the most humble and unpromising manner, would grow till it far outstripped all other similar plants, and gave shelter to all nations under heaven.” (LTJM, 409)

Here are some ways the expression “birds of the air/ heavens” is used in the Old Testament and which should help us understand this parable. They are used to represent...

Bird in the Hand; Photo By Greg K Dueker

·       God’s Creation: "He sends the springs into the valleys, they flow among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them the birds of the heavens have their home; they sing among the branches." (Psalm 104:10-12)

·       The Assyrian Empire (Spoken to Egypt, about Assyria): Indeed Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with fine branches that shaded the forest, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs. The waters made it grow; Underground waters gave it height, with their rivers running around the place where it was planted and sent out rivulets to all the trees of the field. 'Therefore its height was exalted above all the trees of the field; its boughs were multiplied, and its branches became long because of the abundance of water, as it sent them out. All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; under its branches all the beasts of the field brought forth their young; and in its shadow, all great nations made their home. 'Thus it was beautiful in greatness and in the length of its branches, because its roots reached to abundant waters. (Ezekiel 31:3‑7)

·       The Babylonian King & Kingdom: The tree grew and became strong; its height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth. Its leaves were lovely, its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it. (Daniel 4:11-12)

·       The Messianic Kingdom (spoken to exiles in Babylon- which would not just a kingdom for the Jews/tree):  Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain. "On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell. "And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it." (Ezekiel 17:22‑24)

God’s Kingdom is big enough to benefit all the peoples of the earth. We get to participate in the miracle because the kingdom is in us. God’s work in our lives should provide shade to others…and if you have been to Israel in the summer you know how important shade can be!