Luke 13:19
What does Luke 13:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 13:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 13:19 means
Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a mustard seed, an incredibly small seed that a man plants in his garden. Despite its tiny beginning, it grows into a large tree where birds can nest in its branches. This parable illustrates that the kingdom of God, though starting in humble and seemingly insignificant ways (like Jesus' ministry itself), will eventually grow into something vast, encompassing, and offer spiritual refuge to many. Its future greatness belies its modest origins.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000It is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in the branches thereof.
KJV
King James Version · 1611It 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901It is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in the branches thereof.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and put in his garden, and it became a tree, and the birds of heaven made their resting-places in its branches.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862It is like to a grain of mustard, which a man having taken, did cast into his garden, and it increased, and came to a great tree, and the fowls of the heavens did rest in its branches.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752It is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and cast into his garden: and it grew and became a great tree, and the birds of the air lodged in the branches thereof.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890It is like a grain of mustard [seed] which a man took and cast into his garden; and it grew and became a great tree, and the birds of heaven lodged in its branches.
Context
Immediately following His introductory questions about the kingdom of God in verse 18, Jesus offers the parable of the mustard seed. This parable provides the first illustration of the kingdom's characteristics, emphasizing its humble beginnings and eventual pervasive growth. It directly addresses the nature of God's work, which often starts small but yields immense results, setting the stage for the second parable that further expands on the kingdom's transformative power.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 21:20
And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law:
- Micah 4:1
But in the latter days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow unto it.
- Song of Solomon 4:16
Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; Blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, And eat his precious fruits.
- Song of Solomon 6:2
My beloved is gone down to his garden, To the beds of spices, To feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
- Zechariah 2:11
And many nations shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
- Romans 15:19
in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ;
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