Matthew 13:32
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Original Language Analysis
ὃ
Which
G3739
ὃ
Which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
μικρότερον
the least
G3398
μικρότερον
the least
Strong's:
G3398
Word #:
2 of 29
small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)
μέν
indeed
G3303
μέν
indeed
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
3 of 29
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπερμάτων
seeds
G4690
σπερμάτων
seeds
Strong's:
G4690
Word #:
7 of 29
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
8 of 29
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
αὐξηθῇ
it is grown
G837
αὐξηθῇ
it is grown
Strong's:
G837
Word #:
10 of 29
to grow ("wax"), i.e., enlarge (literal or figurative, active or passive)
μεῖζον
G3173
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γίνεται
becometh
G1096
γίνεται
becometh
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
16 of 29
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὥστε
so that
G5620
ὥστε
so that
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
18 of 29
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
ἐλθεῖν
come
G2064
ἐλθεῖν
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
19 of 29
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
of the air
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
of the air
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
23 of 29
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατασκηνοῦν
lodge
G2681
κατασκηνοῦν
lodge
Strong's:
G2681
Word #:
25 of 29
to camp down, i.e., haunt; figuratively, to remain
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ezekiel 31:6All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.Daniel 4:12The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.Acts 21:20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:Zechariah 4:10For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Historical Context
Written around AD 30-33 during Jesus's Galilean ministry. Matthew 13 contains seven kingdom parables delivered from a boat to crowds on the shore. The mustard seed was familiar to Jesus's agricultural audience—black mustard (Brassica nigra) grew abundantly in Galilee.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'mustard seed principle' challenge your impatience with seemingly small beginnings in God's work?
- Where do you see evidence of kingdom growth from small seeds—in church history, missions, or your own spiritual life?
- Does the inclusion of 'birds' (potentially representing Gentiles or even false professors) affect your understanding of visible church growth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Which indeed is the least of all seeds (μικρότερον, mikroteron)—the mustard seed was proverbially the smallest seed used in Palestinian agriculture, though not botanically the world's smallest. Jesus uses hyperbole from common experience to illustrate kingdom growth. Becometh a tree (γίνεται δένδρον, ginetai dendron)—the black mustard plant could reach 10-15 feet, large enough for birds of the air to lodge in its branches.
The imagery echoes Daniel 4:12, 21 and Ezekiel 31:6, where great trees represent world empires. Christ's kingdom begins imperceptibly small but grows to provide shelter for all nations. Some interpret the birds negatively (cf. 13:4, 19), suggesting external corruption in Christendom's growth, though the primary emphasis is kingdom expansion from insignificant beginnings to universal scope.