Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 13:31

"Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:" — Matthew 13:31 (ASV)

The mustard seed is “the smallest of all your seeds,” but it becomes a large tree—large in comparison with the tiny seed and large enough for birds to perch in its branches. The image recalls OT passages that picture a great kingdom as a large tree with birds flocking to its branches (Ezekiel 17:22–24; 31:3– 14; Daniel 4:7–23). The point Jesus is making is that there is a basic connection between the small beginnings taking place under his ministry and the kingdom in its future glory. Though the initial appearance of the kingdom may seem inconsequential (and here is where the emphasis is), the tiny seed leads to the mature plant.