Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:31

What does Matthew 13:31 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:31 means

Jesus introduces the mustard seed parable, likening the kingdom to a tiny seed sown by a man. The seed’s smallness highlights the kingdom’s humble beginnings—insignificant by human estimate. Yet the act of sowing signals divine initiative and the intentional spreading of God’s reign. Listeners are reminded that apparent weakness at the start does not determine ultimate significance. The parable comforts those who expect dramatic beginnings by showing growth from small, faithful starts.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He put another story before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and put in his field:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Another simile he set before them, saying: `The reign of the heavens is like to a grain of mustard, which a man having taken, did sow in his field,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Another parable he proposed unto them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens is like a grain of mustard [seed] which a man took and sowed in his field;

Context

This parable shifts from the problem of evil to the nature and growth of the kingdom. Placed after the tares parable, it underscores that despite opposition, the kingdom grows powerfully from modest origins into a visible, protective structure described next.

v.30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.

v.31This passage

v.32which indeed is less than all seeds; but when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the heaven come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 13:18

    He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?

  • Matthew 13:24

    Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field:

  • Luke 17:6

    And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye would say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou rooted up, and be thou planted in the sea; and it would obey you.

  • Matthew 17:20

    And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

  • Mark 4:30

    And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?

  • Luke 20:9

    And he began to speak unto the people this parable: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country for a long time.

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