ACC ~ Mark 4 v30 - 34

OVERVIEW:

From the tiny mustard seed, which resists infection and adversity, comes the magnificent tree of the boundless, worldwide community of faith offering its branches to the whole world (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA). This great tree is known by its extension into the whole world and is not adequately embodied by an inwardly turned or detached or separated branch (AUGUSTINE). The mystery of the Word is gradually revealed to us analogically by grace through parables, not by simple analysis of the literal words (ORIGEN). In all things essential Jesus made his identity sufficiently clear to those who were called to proclaim his coming (TERTULLIAN).

4:30 | With What Can We Compare the Kingdom of God?

COMPARING THE KINGDOM

ORIGEN: Now a simile differs from a parable; for it is written in Mark, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?” [1] From this it is plain that there is some logical distinction between a comparison and a parable. The simile seems to be generic, and the parable specific. The simile, which is the highest genus of the parable, contains the parable as one of its species. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.4. [2]

[1] HE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL | MARK 1:1-5

[2] ANF 9:416*; TLG 2042.029, 10.4.21-28.

4:31 | It Is Like a Grain of Mustard Seed

SHARP AND PUNGENT

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: The word which proclaims the kingdom of heaven is sharp and pungent as mustard. It represses bile (anger) and checks inflammation (pride). From this word flows the soul’s true vitality and fitness for eternity. To such increased size did the growth of the word come that the tree which sprang from it (that is the Church of Christ now being established over the whole earth) filled the world, so that the birds of the air (that is, holy angels and lofty souls) dwelt in its branches. FRAGMENTS FROM THE CATENA OF NICETAS, BISHOP OF HERACLEA 4. [1]

[1] ANF 2:578*; PG 9:744.

4:32 | Puts Forth Large Branches

THE BRUISED SEED

AMBROSE: Its seed is indeed very plain, and of little value; but if bruised or crushed it shows forth its power. So faith first seems a simple thing; but if it is bruised by its enemies it gives forth proof of its power, so as to fill others who hear or read of it with the odor of its sweetness. Our martyrs, Felix, Nabor and Victor, possessed the sweet odor of faith; but they dwelt in obscurity. When the persecution came, they laid down their arms, and bowed their necks, and being stricken by the sword they diffused to all the ends of the earth the grace of their martyrdom. … The Lord himself is the grain of mustard seed. He was without injury; but the people were unaware of him as a grain of mustard seed of which they took no notice. He chose to be bruised, that we might say: “For we are the good odor of Christ unto God.” EXPOSITION ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.178-79. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0143, 7.1948; SSGF 1:349; CSEL 32:360-66; cf. Phil 4:18.

LITTLE BRANCH, GREAT TREE

AUGUSTINE: In the same manner, [1] then, the catholicity of our mother [2] becomes palpable when others who are not her sons make war on her. It is a fact that this little branch of worshipers in Africa [3] has been broken off from the great tree [4] which embraces the whole world in the spreading of its branches. She is in labor with them in charity, that they may return to the root without which they cannot have true life. LETTER 32. [5]

[1] When the Donatists were severed from the wholeness of the church, it suggested to Augustine this metaphor.

[2] The universal church spread over the whole world.

[3] The Donatists.

[4] The kingdom of God is here being compared to the great tree of which the universal church in time is a proximate expression.

[5] Cetedoc 0262, 185.57.8.29.19; FC 30:172-73*.

THE SPREADING TREE

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: It is up to us to sow this mustard seed in our minds and let it grow within us into a great tree of understanding reaching up to heaven and elevating all our faculties; then it will spread out branches of knowledge, the pungent savor of its fruit will make our mouths burn, its fiery kernel will kindle a blaze within us inflaming our hearts, and the taste of it will dispel our unenlightened repugnance. Yes, it is true: a mustard seed is indeed an image of the kingdom of God. Christ is the kingdom of heaven. Sown like a mustard seed in the garden of the virgin’s womb, he grew up into the tree of the cross whose branches stretch across the world. Crushed in the mortar of the passion, its fruit has produced seasoning enough for the flavoring and preservation of every living creature with which it comes in contact. As long as a mustard seed remains intact, its properties lie dormant; but when it is crushed they are exceedingly evident. So it was with Christ; he chose to have his body crushed, because he would not have his power concealed. … Christ became all things in order to restore all of us in himself. The man Christ received the mustard seed which represents the kingdom of God; as man he received it, though as God he had always possessed it. He sowed it in his garden, that is in his bride, the Church. The Church is a garden extending over the whole world, tilled by the plough of the gospel, fenced in by stakes of doctrine and discipline, cleared of every harmful weed by the labor of the apostles, fragrant and lovely with perennial flowers: virgins’ lilies and martyrs’ roses set amid the pleasant verdure of all who bear witness to Christ and the tender plants of all who have faith in him. Such then is the mustard seed which Christ sowed in his garden. When he promised a kingdom to the patriarchs, the seed took root in them; with the prophets it sprang up; with the apostles it grew tall; in the Church it became a great tree putting forth innumerable branches laden with gifts. And now you too must take the wings of the psalmist’s dove, gleaming gold in the rays of divine sunlight, and fly to rest for ever among those sturdy, fruitful branches. No snares are set to trap you there; fly off, then, with confidence and dwell securely in its shelter. SERMON 98. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0027+, 98.25; JF B 90-91;

4:34 | Privately He Explained Everything

THE ILLUMINATION OF THE DISCIPLES

TERTULLIAN: Christ Jesus our Lord clearly declared himself as to who he was while he lived on earth. … Who then of sound mind can possibly suppose that those whom the Lord or-dained to be leaders and teachers were ignorant of anything essential to salvation? Who could suppose that he who kept them, as he did, so close to himself in their daily attentiveness, in their discipline, in their companionship, to whom, when they were alone, he used to expound all things [1] which were obscure, telling them that “to them it was given to know those mysteries,” [2] which it was not permitted the people to understand—now would he leave them ignorant? PRESCRIPTION AGAINST HERETICS 20, 22. [3]

[1] Mk 4:34.

[2] Mt 13:11.

[3] Cetedoc 0005, 20.1, 22.9; ANF 3:252-53**. Christ did not leave his disciples ignorant with respect to any matter essential to salvation.