ISB ~ Mark 4 v30 - 32

The parable of the Mustard Seed. It is based on the difference between the smallest seed and the greatest shrub and depicts how Christ’s kingdom begins with a small band of disciples and gradually grows into a worldwide Church.

• The imagery Jesus uses to explain this is drawn from OT oracles that describe the dominion of ancient empires. Babylon (Dan 4:10-12), Egypt (Ezek 31:1-6), and Israel (Ezek 17:2224) were all portrayed as kingdoms that grew into mighty trees. See note on Mt 13:32.