The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Mustard seed is the central element of one of the parables that Jesus Christ gave to his disciples and followers. It is dedicated to the Kingdom of Heaven. With her help, the son of God tried to explain what it is.

The Gospel Parable

In the New Testament, the parable of the mustard seed is contained in several major gospels. From Mark, Luke and Matthew. She traditionally pays much attention to Christianity, the parable is often cited as an illustration of her sermons by Orthodox and Catholic priests.

According to the text in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Christ began to immediately compare the Kingdom of Heaven with the mustard seed. A man takes it and sows it on his plot. Initially, the size of the mustard seed is very small. Most other grains on the field are much larger and have a more representative look. Therefore, it seems to everyone around us that we can expect a richer harvest. However, when the mustard seed grows, it turns out that it has become significantly larger than many cereals that grew with it in the neighborhood. And soon becomes a real tree, to which birds from all around the region flock to hide in its branches.

Comparison with the Kingdom of God in the Gospel of Mark

The mustard seed in the Bible is compared with the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Mark addresses his disciples with the question - what can be compared to the world around us, the Kingdom of God? What parable for him to think up?

He himself answers this question. It gives an example of a mustard seed, which is less than all seeds when it is sown in the ground. But, when the crop has already ended and the seeds have come up, it turns out that it has become much larger than all the surrounding cereals. In the future, lets large branches. Under their shadow for many years caged heavenly birds.

The Gospel of Luke

Laconically, this parable is set forth in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus again addresses the disciples with questions about the same as in the Gospel of Mark. Then quickly moves to the essence of his parable.

Immediately notes that any mustard seed planted by man in his garden, as a result grows into a large and fruitful tree. From now on, the birds do nothing but hide themselves in its branches.

As we see, at once in several Gospels the meaning of the parable is no different, and its content depends solely on laconism and the size to which each of the authors aspired.

What is the grain of mustard?

Before proceeding to the interpretation of the parable of the mustard seed, one must understand what each of the apostles understands under such a grain. The Brockhaus special encyclopedia gives the most accurate answer. This is a one-volume fundamental edition, which is rightfully considered one of the most complete and scrupulous studies of the Bible. In Russian, it was first published in 1960, when a detailed translation was made from German.

The dictionary states that the parable is really dedicated to the seeds of black mustard. Despite the fact that this is an annual plant, its height can reach two and a half and even three meters. He has a branchy stem, because of which some ignorant people can take him for a tree. However, it is really very attractive for different birds. Especially for the goldfinches. They not only hide in its dense crown, but also feed on useful oil seeds with a diameter of about one millimeter.

Interpretation of Parables

The parable of the mustard seed, the interpretation of which is given in this article, should teach us how small an unbelieving and ignorant person is. Only a sermon, planted in the human soul, as in fertile soil, is able to bear fruit, rich shoots.

Similarly, Jesus Christ likens the Christian church to a mustard seed. At first it was small and inconspicuous. But after the teaching of the carpenter's son began to spread around the world, its significance grew more and more every year. As a result, the birds that hide in the branches of the mustard tree will be whole peoples who will find shelter under the shadow of this world religion. As we see, in this Jesus was right. Today, Christianity has become one of the world's major religions on the planet.

The Church walks the planet

Describing how the mustard seed grows, there is a feeling that in this way Jesus Christ illustrates how the Christian church extends to new countries and continents.

Thus, many researchers distinguish two images in this parable. Not only the multiplication of the influence of the church, but also the spread of the apostolic preaching.

The Orthodox theologian Alexander (Mileant), Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, who headed the entire South American episcopate from 1998 to 2005, argues that this comparison was vividly confirmed by the rapid spread of Christian teaching in many pagan countries.

The church, which at the beginning of the journey was inconspicuous for most of those around the religious community, represented by a small group of Galilean fishermen, covered the whole planet in two thousand years. Starting from wild Scythia, ending with sultry Africa. Starting from a dank Britain and ending with a mysterious and mysterious India.

Archbishop Averky (Taushev) agrees with him. Another bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church abroad, in the 60's and 70's, headed the episcopate in Syracuse. He also writes that the sermon grows in the soul of man, as in the parable of the mustard seed. For children this image is very clear and accessible. They immediately understand what is at stake.

Of course, notes Averky, from one sermon of the effect to see, most likely, will not succeed. But over time, barely noticeable trends will more and more capture the human soul. It will finally become a full container of exclusively virtuous thoughts.

Interpretation of John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom offers an original interpretation of this parable. This is the famous Archbishop of Constantinople, who lived in the IV-V centuries of our era. Together with Gregory the Theologian and Basil the Great he is still revered, is one of the universal teachers and hierarchs, the author of numerous theological works.

In one of them, John Chrysostom compares the mustard seed with the Jesus Christ himself. The prelate says that if you look carefully into this parable, it turns out that it can be applied to the Savior himself. He, like the grain in the parable, looked unprepossessing and insignificant. His age was not great, Christ lived only 33 years.

It is quite another matter that his age in heaven was incalculable. In addition, several people joined in him at once. Son of man and son of God. He was afflicted by people, but his suffering made Jesus so great that he surpassed all his predecessors and followers who similarly tried to lead the nations.

He is inseparable from his heavenly Father, therefore it is on his shoulders that the birds of heaven find rest and shelter. With them, John Chrysostom compared all the apostles, disciples of Christ, prophets, and also all the elect who sincerely believed in his teaching. Christ was able to cleanse the souls of filth at the expense of his own warmth, under his canopy he is ready to hide anyone who needs it from the world's heat.

After death, his body was sown to the ground. But he showed an enviable fruitful strength, having risen three days later from the dead. By his resurrection, he glorified himself more than any prophet, although in life many could seem less and less than them. His glory eventually flourished from the earth to the heavens. He himself sowed himself on earth and grew into a world leading to his heavenly Father.

Interpretation of Theophylactus of Bulgarian

An interesting own vision of this parable is offered by another saint - Theophylactus of Bulgaria. Archbishop of Bulgaria at the turn of the 11th-12th centuries.

Theophylact calls each of the parishioners to be a mustard seed. In appearance it seemed insignificant, not to be recorded, not to boast of one's virtue, but at the same time passionately and jealously follow all the Christian commandments. If everyone will adhere to such vital principles, then the heavenly birds in the form of angels will rest on his shoulders. So the priest interprets the parable told by Jesus.