Luke 13:19

Authorized King James Version

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὁμοία
G3664
like
similar (in appearance or character)
#2
ἐστὶν
G2076
It is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#3
κόκκῳ
G2848
a grain
a kernel of seed
#4
σινάπεως
G4615
of mustard seed
mustard (the plant)
#5
ὃν
G3739
which
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#6
λαβὼν
G2983
took
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
#7
ἄνθρωπος
G444
a man
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#8
ἔβαλεν
G906
and cast
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
#9
εἰς
G1519
into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#10
κῆπον
G2779
garden
a garden
#11
ἑαυτοῦ
G1438
his
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#12
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#13
ηὔξησεν
G837
it grew
to grow ("wax"), i.e., enlarge (literal or figurative, active or passive)
#14
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
ἐγένετο
G1096
waxed
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#16
εἰς
G1519
into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#17
δένδρον
G1186
tree
a tree
#18
μέγα,
G3173
a great
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
#19
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#20
τὰ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
πετεινὰ
G4071
the fowls
a flying animal, i.e., bird
#22
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
οὐρανοῦ
G3772
of the air
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
#24
κατεσκήνωσεν
G2681
lodged
to camp down, i.e., haunt; figuratively, to remain
#25
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#26
τοῖς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#27
κλάδοις
G2798
the branches
a twig or bough (as if broken off)
#28
αὐτοῦ
G846
of it
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Luke Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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